Unknown individuals have mixed snail poison with pet food in an apparent attempt to kill stray cats in Marsascala.

Pictures sent to the press by Professor Charles Scerri show the blue poison pellets mixed with cat food in Triq is-Sliem. Prof Scerri wrote to Roderick Galdes, the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Animal Welfare, and said he would hold him “politically responsible” for the continuous misuse of the pest control product.

"Dear Hon. Galdes...for the nth time, what evidently looks like snail poison was mixed with food with the intention of killing lovingly cared for stray cats. This happened on Christmas Day at Triq is-Sliem, Marsascala. You have been notified of wrong use of this chemical to kill strays and that this needs to end on several occasions to no avail. Since you have been entrusted with the welfare and safety of animals, I will be holding you politically responsible for this never-ending massacre.”