What about the horses?

As a resident of Valletta I was truly interested by the paper Il-Kapitali, referring to my beloved city of Valletta, which I found in my letterbox in January. On page 4 an article entitled "Karozzini saga continues" rather perplexed me.

Our mayor, Paul Borg Olivier, clearly omitted to mention certain important particulars when the article was written. He did not mention what was reported publicly (The Times, September 11, 2002): "Drivers were however proposing to partly finance a cleaning station which would be in contact with all the karozzini drivers and who would be informed by them as soon as a horse fouled the street. Personnel would then be sent immediately to clean up. This process was, in fact, adopted by the drivers, as a sign of goodwill, although the council made no effort to collaborate with the drivers in this respect."

The bye-law introduced in March, 2001, which came into force in April, 2002 is unacceptable. The discomfort caused by the nappy type attire is unnecessary and cruel, especially when there was another solution which was purposely ignored. Why, I wonder? It seems that these creatures' well- being is far from being considered.

I urge all animal lovers to write to the press. The karozzini horses are being deliberatly targeted. No mention has been made for the erection of attractive, weatherproof horse shelters in tourist areas (easily erected in Palace Square), which are a necessity in all weather to protect these animals, especially during the very hot summer months when their suffering must be horrendous.

A total of €200,000 was given to Valletta council by the EU. The money, according to Il-Kapitali, is to be used partly for bins, bus shelters and other projects, but alas, the poor working horses in the capital are not even considered.

Incidentally, my 89-year-old father, who lives in Old Theatre Street, would also like to have the right to walk up and down without the fear of falling due to the terrible condition of the pavements. He knows that should he fall it will be the end of him.

The same end will befall the horses/karozzini if those with a conscience do not speak out against the unacceptable conditions they are being made to endure.