Dog, kittens died due to animal hospital remaining closed – PN
The party criticised the level of care provided by a private clinic
The ongoing closure of the Ta’ Qali animal hospital led to the death of a dog and several kittens on Friday, the PN has said, while attacking the continued closure of the facility.
The party said the hospital’s closure, which had now entered its 32nd month, “is leading to the death of more animals”, with the dog and kittens dying “after not receiving the necessary care in time”.
A government agreement with a private clinic to provide veterinary services from 4pm onwards was not sufficient to meet the needs of animals, it said, while charging the clinic with being insufficiently equipped.
The government was trying to “make up for its negligence” in respect to the hospital closure by entering into the agreement with the clinic, the PN said.
“Had the Animal hospital remained open, injured animals found on the streets would be collected by ambulances from the Animal Welfare Directorate”, it said, while noting that the agriculture minister had said, in response to a parliamentary question, that animals were being treated at the clinic instead.
“However, the reality is that the clinic with which the government has reached this agreement, and which is replacing the animal hospital, is not adequately equipped and lacks the necessary medicines and testing facilities to prevent the spread of infectious diseases”.
The party said that, in addition to a vet only visiting the clinic from 4pm, “hygiene standards are significantly lower than what one would expect”.
The party called on the minister and parliamentary secretary responsible, and the Animal Welfare Directorate to “explain why nothing has been done to ensure that this service is properly provided”.
The government does not appear to intend to open the hospital, it added.
A PN government would reopen the hospital, the party said.
The statement was signed by shadow animal welfare minister Janice Abela Chetcuti.
A scheme to offer 24/7 emergency vet services from various licensed clinics was launched by the government in July last year.
The Ta’ Qali Animal Hospital, which provided emergency services during hours when veterinary services are usually unavailable, closed back in 2023 after several machines suffered extensive damage from a power surge.