New regulations on the keeping of dangerous animals in Malta begin taking effect from today, with owners of such animals being required to comply with the updated regulations during the next three months, the Ministry for Animal Rights stated on Monday.
The Ministry stated that it is taking decisive steps to address concerns about the keeping of dangerous animals in the country. It commented that reports have been received over the years about unregistered dangerous animals, which raised concerns both about the welfare of the animals as well as about the safety of the public.
It said that during meetings with various non-government organisations and activists who work in favour of the protection of animals, a proposal was presented for the authorities to introduce stricter regulations on the subject. The Ministry continued that 25 non-government organisations proposed a number of measures, including the introduction of a defined period during which dangerous animals could be identified and registered, in addition to mandatory fixing of such animals so that their numbers do not increase and illegal breeding is avoided.
The Ministry commented that an amendment will be made to Subsidiary Law 439.19 which introduces a period of 90 days where owners are required to register dangerous animals. It said that all registered animals must be subject to mandatory fixing within six months unless they are exempted according to specific guidelines related to the nature of the animal.
Continuing, the Ministry said that owners and keepers will need a certificate of competence to ensure that care is given responsibly and that animal welfare standards are respected. It added that applicants must submit all the necessary details as stipulated in the subsidiary law, including permanent identification of the animal, proof of adequate containment, and measures to ensure both the welfare of the animal and the safety of the public.
The Ministry stated that only those applications which meet the stipulated requirements will be approved, as it added that the Director of Veterinary Regulation also has the power to reject applications which are considered inadequate or that may pose risks to public safety. It continued that if it is repeatedly found that the animals do not have an adequate place to be kept, then the registration will not be done and the animals will be required to be relocated at the expense of the owner.
It said that owners who register animals will be included in the National Register of Dangerous Animals after verification and inspection by the authorities.
With that said, the Ministry continued that individuals who are found in possession of unregistered dangerous animals or who violate the regulations will have the animals impounded and may face administrative fines between €8,000 and €15,000 for each animal. Such individuals may also face fines ranging from €2,000 to €65,000 and up to three years in prison on the first conviction, with greater penalties for repeated offences.
The Ministry concluded that applications in line with the updated regulations must be sent to the Director of the Directorate of Veterinary Regulation at Triq il-Biccerija, Albert Town, Marsa - MRS 1123. It added that one may request an appointment to submit an application and ask questions related to the application by calling 205326292 or 20532625, or by sending an email to [email protected].