The Gozitan village of Sannat has adopted a new way of protecting its animals: by introducing a Community Animal Care Steward.

The steward’s job is to take care of the street animals and pets which call Sannat – a largely rural Gozitan village – home, and also educating residents on how best to take care of such animals.

Speaking to The Malta Independent on this new role Sannat mayor Philip Vella said that the council can already see a difference since the engagement of the Steward.

The Community Animal Care Steward was appointed in the locality at the beginning of January.

Speaking on behalf of the local council, Vella said that the council had decided to introduce this new role after sightings of locals feeding leftovers to stray cats. The local council felt that to protect such animals, the engagement of an animal steward seemed like the most appropriate course of action to take.

"We felt that people needed more education regarding animals, especially those found in the streets," Vella said.

The steward's job is to take care of the animals present in Sannat. Mentioning some examples of the Steward’s job, the mayor elaborated how in the presence of an abandoned animal on the streets, it is the job of the steward to uncover who the owner is and make sure that the escapee is reunited with its owner.

A current problem that is being addressed thanks to the Animal Care Steward is that of owners not picking dog litter in certain areas of Sannat.

"We have launched a campaign with the idea of allocating dog bins and signs around Sannat so that locals are aware they cannot continue to do these things," Vella said.

Despite this, pet owners have been less than helpful when it comes to picking up their dog’s litter. The local council was able to identify critical areas where this was frequently happening, where together with the aid of the Community Animal Steward, they are tackling them.

Currently, one of the key areas has almost been cleared, said Vella.

Although the steward has a uniform, he might seek opportunities where it is best not to wear one in order to catch certain acts as they happen. He will, however, have an identification card on him at all times, the mayor said.

The steward is also responsible for investigating and inspecting reports of animal cruelty in the locality.

Given that the Steward has an allocated work schedule, he is very flexible in the case the Local Council might need their immediate assistance.

The Sannat Local council was able to engage the Steward after applying for funds through a circular issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Animal Rights and the Ministry of National Heritage and the Arts and Local Government, from a 2021-2022 grant scheme for there to be a Community Officer Steward for the proper treatment of animals to work in the locality.