Investigations into illegal animal breeding should go beyond cruelty offences and target the profits generated by those exploiting animals, Animal Welfare Commissioner Elliot Magro has said, warning that such operations can also involve document fraud, false declarations and money laundering.

Drawing on his previous experience investigating illegal breeding cases within the Malta Police Force's Environmental Protection Unit (EPU), Magro said animals were often repeatedly bred for profit, sometimes suffering physical and behavioural consequences.

He said that tackling the financial incentives behind such operations was essential, as animal cruelty investigations alone might not be enough to put an end to the practice.

"Financial investigations need to be carried out, because, in order to stop such atrocities, I think you have to go deep into the profit," he said.

Speaking to The Malta Independent on Sunday, Magro also expressed a preference for Malta to move away from zoos altogether if that were possible, although he stopped short of calling for an outright ban on existing establishments.

Magro, who was appointed as Animal Welfare Commissioner in July, said his concerns about dangerous animals dated back to 2018, when as a police officer he became involved in an investigation concerning a brown bear.

"Since then, I realised that there's a problem here," he said.

He described the ownership of exotic animals as a trend among individuals with the financial means to acquire them, adding that the types of animals being sought had changed over time.

Whereas lions, tigers and leopards were once particularly prominent, he said the trend was shifting towards monkeys, chimpanzees and other primates.

Magro said he was opposed to importing dangerous animals, but distinguished that position from the question of whether existing zoos should be allowed to operate.

He said that properly regulated establishments, subject to inspections and enforcement when irregularities were identified, presented a different situation from unregulated ownership.

"I am not 100% against zoos," he said, although he added that if Malta had the option of having no zoos at all, he would prefer it.

His immediate concern was ensuring that any establishments keeping such animals were properly regulated.

Magro also highlighted a less-discussed aspect of the exotic animal trade: the breeding of dangerous animals in Malta for export.

He said that some wild cats, including tigers, are bred locally, with their cubs subsequently exported to other countries.

He stressed that the numbers were not in the thousands, but said the practice nevertheless raised concerns.

"This tiny island has also somehow become an exporting country of such animals," he said.

He called for strict regulation and enforcement to prevent problems associated with the trade.

'No place for another marine park'

Asked about concerns surrounding Malta's marine park and whether facilities failing to meet welfare standards should be closed, Magro said he had to rely on the findings of the Animal Welfare Department.

He said he understood that inspections had been carried out and that the dolphins had been found in good health, with no infringements of animal welfare legislation identified.

Magro explained that, as commissioner, he could refer complaints for investigation but could not independently exercise the enforcement powers held by the department.

"If the Animal Welfare Department says, 'Listen, there were no irregularities', I cannot intervene," he said.

However, when asked whether he would support another marine park opening in Malta, his position was clearer.

"I believe that, no, Malta does not have a place for another marine park, surely," he said.

Magro also highlighted the difficulties authorities face when confiscating dangerous animals, particularly when suitable facilities for their accommodation are unavailable.

Magro said he had recently been informed that the Animal Welfare Department had made arrangements for a location where confiscated animals, particularly monkeys, could be kept safely.

The premises, he understood, were suitable for accommodating such animals while decisions were taken about their future.

He hoped the arrangement would help resolve situations in which confiscated animals remained in the care of their original owners because alternative accommodation was unavailable.

Should Malta have a list of permitted pets?

Another proposal discussed during the interview was the introduction of a positive list specifying which animal species could legally be kept as pets.

Magro acknowledged that such a system could make enforcement easier because any species absent from the list would not be permitted.

However, he questioned how the list would be compiled and who would be responsible for deciding which animals should be included.

With thousands of species and numerous classifications to consider, he believed drawing up a comprehensive list would be difficult.

He nevertheless recognised the argument for restricting the ownership of animals that might not be suited to Malta's environment or to domestic accommodation.

As an example, he referred to reports of foxes being kept in homes.

"Is Malta suitable for a fox? Is an apartment suitable for a fox?" he asked.

He said a positive list could make sense in such circumstances, but considered its eventual introduction unlikely.

Carriage horses need scientific assessment

Turning to the welfare of horses used to pull the traditional karozzini, Magro said he was working on recommendations concerning their operation during Malta's hot summers.

He welcomed the introduction of restrictions on their activity during red weather alerts, describing this as a step forward.

However, he argued that further decisions should be based on a scientific assessment carried out by veterinarians experienced in equine health.

Rather than applying restrictions without considering local conditions, he suggested studying the particular circumstances in which carriage horses operate.

He contrasted Mdina and Rabat, where he said fewer complaints were received and where horses had access to a large shelter and fresh water, with Valletta, where most complaints originated.

In Valletta, he said, the availability of adequate shade was a concern, while the city's steep streets created additional demands on horses pulling heavy carriages.

He referred particularly to the uphill route from the Valletta Waterfront, noting that the combined weight of a wooden carriage, passengers and the driver could be considerable.

These physical demands, combined with summer temperatures, should be examined by specialists, he said.

Magro said a study could establish appropriate temperature limits and other safeguards, such as measures to help horses cool down, adding that the findings could then form the basis for changes to the regulations.

"The regulations would be amended according to the findings of the vet," he said.

He said that this would mean decisions were informed by scientific evidence rather than being determined solely by the commissioner, animal welfare organisations or carriage owners.

Abandonment and the pressure on sanctuaries

Beyond exotic animals and carriage horses, Magro also addressed the everyday challenges faced by shelters and sanctuaries dealing with unwanted pets.

He said abandonment could arise from several circumstances, including owners failing to anticipate the responsibilities involved in caring for an animal.

Someone might acquire a puppy without considering how large it would become, he explained, only to find they lacked the space or time to care for it.

Changes in family circumstances, including relationship breakdowns, could also leave animals without homes.

Magro acknowledged that shelters were full, but praised the people who continued caring for abandoned animals.

"Shelters, they are full, but they do one hell of a job," he said.

He recalled meeting volunteers whose commitment went far beyond occasional assistance, including a young person who had left employment to dedicate more time to caring for animals.

Magro said that the experience of visiting sanctuaries and meeting animal welfare organisations since becoming commissioner had given him a deeper understanding of their work.

Although his police career had familiarised him with reports of cruelty, he had not previously been as closely involved with the daily responsibilities of volunteers and sanctuary operators.

He said he was particularly struck by the commitment shown towards animals that were often strays or belonged to other people.

For cats, Magro identified abandonment and insufficient neutering as a combination that could create greater problems in the years ahead.

He described existing neutering campaigns as effective, but said that the number of cats in colonies meant the current efforts were not sufficient.

Even with thousands of cats being neutered, he said that a much larger campaign was necessary.

Magro said he intended to recommend an expansion of neutering efforts, arguing that the benefits would become apparent over several years rather than immediately.

'Without them, the situation would be very different'

Magro repeatedly spoke of the importance of animal welfare organisations and individual volunteers, saying the authorities could not address every problem on their own.

He believed the overall animal welfare situation in Malta was not bad, but attributed much of that to the work of people who contributed their own time and money.

"Without them, surely, the situation would not be as good as it is today," he said.

He described cooperation between NGOs and the Animal Welfare Department as generally positive and said he regularly met activists to discuss concerns and possible recommendations.

Magro said that the contribution of someone feeding three stray cats every day was just as valuable as the work of larger organisations running campaigns.

Asked whether the government relied too heavily on voluntary organisations, Magro said that the authorities were always open to their suggestions.

He acknowledged that some proposals might not be practical, but maintained that the views of people working directly with animals deserved serious consideration.

Magro said that his approach is to listen to those who encounter animal welfare problems daily and use their experience to help identify solutions.

While Malta still faced shortcomings, he said that cooperation, better preventative measures and greater awareness could help improve the situation.

Magro said that the people caring for animals every day remained an essential part of that effort.