Following consultation with karozzini owners, Transport Malta, the Animal Welfare Directorate and Animal Welfare NGOs, the government is in the process of installing 20 new horse shelters, with most being around the Valletta ring road, Sliema and St Julian’s.  

There are around 40 karozzini giving a service in Malta. Their owners work on rotation meaning that not all horses would need shelter at any one time.

Speaking at a press conference this morning, to launch the first shelter at the Sliema Ferries, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, Roderick Galdes, explained that the government also intends to increase services related to horses and karozzini. These will include water points for the horses. Enforcement is also to increase and while vehicles will not be allowed to park under horse shelters, it is a must for karozzini owners to use the shelters and not leave horses without shelter.

Mr Galdes explained that balance was sought in the design of the prototype horse shelters and besides their functionality, these needed to look good aesthetically. Discussion on bus shelters has been underway for some 20 years and the government decided to take the bull by its horns and solve the issue.

In 2010, specialists from the World Association for Transport Animal Welfare and Studies (TAWS), were in Malta to look into the situation with respect to the difficulties faced by karozzini horses, are insisted that the dehydrated horses need water points and shade, as well as other basic requirements set by EU regulations.

In April, The Environment Planning Commission turned down Transport Malta’s request to sanction horse shelters, underground cesspits and drainage pipes in Marsamxetto Road, Valletta, since these were built without a permit.

The commission had argued the proposed development would have an adverse impact on an important archaeological site or area.

In comments to the media, Mr Galdes had requested a review of the €300,000 project that was underway by the previous administration and proposals are being implemented.

Besides the Marsamxetto Road shelter, another for 11 horses was constructed near the Valletta Waterfront.