Updated 1pm with ADPD's reaction 

Hunters are calling for the removal of two commissioners and threatened to take to the streets in protest should their calls remain ignored after they expressed concern about a picture showing a youngster carrying a shotgun.

Commissioner for Children Pauline Miceli and Commissioner for Animal Welfare Alison Bezzina were accused of expressing “their personal emotional beliefs” when commenting as commissioners in support of Birdlife’s “latest anti-hunting campaign” to ban children and youths from accompanying hunters while hunting, the FKNK said.

Miceli hit out against a hunter who handed a gun to a child and guided him to shoot at a bird, calling the behaviour abusive and dangerous. The issue came to light after Birdlife uploaded a video in which a child is seen handling a shotgun in Miżieb and being shown how to use it.

They claim I'm not fit for purpose because I'm against hunting; I say I would be totally unfit if I weren't"- Alison Bezzina

Bezzina, the FKNK said, argued that children exposed to hunting become desensitised to animal cruelty. 

“The latter does not even seem aware that the Animal Welfare Act by which she is bound, expressly excludes hunting,” it said.

FKNK insisted that, through such statements, both commissioners have overstepped and abused their official positions. 

Hoping that the government would heed its call for the commissioners’ removal, FKNK warned that failing this, it will take all legal actions at its disposal, including taking to the streets in protest.
 
It said it will write about this “unethical commissioners’ behaviour” to the responsible ministers.

In a reaction, the Animal Welfare Commissioner said the law actually empowered her to make recommendations to the minister, including changes to the Animal Welfare act and other laws.

Alison Bezzina

Bezzina said: "How can anyone expect the Commissioner for Animal Welfare to be in favour or in agreement, or even impartial, to shooting birds out of the sky? How little have we come to expect from our ambassadors? They claim I'm not fit for purpose because I'm against hunting; I say I would be totally unfit if I weren't."

In a reaction, ADPD chairman Carmel Cacopardo described the hunters' reaction as irresponsible.

"The statement made by the Commissioner for Children and the Commissioner for Animal Welfare that children should be kept away from hunting activities and the associated arms is appropriate and should be implemented immediately."

ADPD said it had full confidence in the Commissioner for Children and the Commissioner for Animal Welfare and they ought to be thanked for their efforts  and ethical actions throughout the years.