€10,000 fine for keeping a tiger caged in a Marsascala field
Joshua Grima had not registered a tiger and two lions, and housed them in a location that was neither approved for such use nor licensed as a zoo
A man has been fined €10,000 for keeping a tiger in a Marsascala field without registering the dangerous animal with the authorities.
Joshua Grima was initially charged with keeping a tiger and two lions without proper registration and housing them in a location that was neither approved for such use nor licensed as a zoo in February 2023.
Magistrate Ann Marie Thake heard that police were informed in February 2023 that dangerous animals were being kept in a field in Marsascala.
Upon arrival, officers found a cage containing a tiger and two lions.
Although the enclosure met legal size requirements and the animals appeared to be in good health, they had not been registered with the Department of Veterinary Services.
Grima argued that, while he did keep the animals, he should benefit from a law allowing him to regularise his position.
However, the court noted that while he had registered the lions since, the tiger had died before he could register it, which meant that he was in possession of the tiger illegally.
The court noted that while the enclosure was according to law, experts said it “barely meets the minimum space standard” - which meant that the accused was not safeguarding the physical and mental well-being of the tiger.
This could have been avoided had he registered it with the relevant authorities.
The court noted that Grima was placing the public at risk with the illegal possession of the tiger, in an enclosed space with an open top, and with no contingency plan.
He was fined €10,000, which he may pay over a period of three years.
Police Inspector Elliot Magro prosecuted.