The Santa Marija feast is celebrated with fervour in Gozo but one event has drawn criticism from the Animal Rights Coalition because equine races are still held during the sun’s peak hours.

The coalition has written to the government and law enforcement authorities appealing for the races – planned for 2.30pm along Republic Street, Victoria – to be rescheduled.

The races have been given a permit by the Gozo police and the local council. But animal NGOs say they have been inundated with calls regarding the inappropriate time these horse races will take place, in scorching temperatures of over 30˚C.

Our remit is enforcement, promoting standards and providing services... we do intervene when abuse occurs

“The Animal Rights Coalition and members of the public who have contacted us are very concerned these races are not only being permitted... but are actually being sponsored by government,” Myriam Kirmond, on behalf of the group, said.

The coalition said many equine races that used to be held at the same time of day had been moved to early morning or evening. Another race held during the feast of St George last month had been moved to 5.30pm, the same way as others held in Malta.

The coalition said the races should be monitored by a vet, the police and animal welfare personnel. They also claimed the races violated the Animal Welfare Act and the five freedoms in the internationally recognised animal welfare code.

But animal welfare director Joseph Vella said this was not necessarily the case. He said a policy was needed to establish criteria to grant such permits, which were usually issued by the police to avoid abuse.

But this was beyond his department’s remit. It was the Animal Welfare Council that could make such a recommendation.

“If measures are in place to minimise heat stress through the availability of shade and water then it would not be a breach of the law.

“Are the horses sufficiently hydrated before the race? How long is the race? Is the road free of potholes to avoid injury? All these need to be considered,” he said. “Our remit is enforcement, promoting standards and providing services, such as the animal ambulance.

“We do intervene when abuse occurs,” Mr Vella said. In the last couple of weeks, the department has pressed charges against two people for abusing horses.

In one case, a horse was found burnt by its owner and, in another, a horse collapsed from heat stress on a horse-drawn carriage.

The five freedoms

• Freedom from hunger and thirst – by access to fresh water and a healthy diet.

• Freedom from discomfort – by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a resting area.

• Freedom from pain, injury or disease – by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.

• Freedom to express normal behaviour – by providing sufficient space, facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.

• Freedom from fear and distress – by ensuring conditions that avoid mental suffering.