The Lands Authority is investigating claims that a farmer who is occupying government land in Salini, to run a chicken farm, is illegally subleasing it to a horse rescue NGO.
RMJ's Horse Rescue, Malta’s only horse rescue NGO, is claiming that the landlord of the Salini stables they rent is upping their €2,200 monthly fee by €700. As a result RMJ, a registered voluntary organisation, may no longer be in a position to take in horses.
A spokeswoman for the Lands Authority said the authority has been looking into the case following the report of potential illegalities on site. "The LA had no reports of the current tenant subleasing to third parties as is being alleged by NGO RMJ's Horse Rescue. To this effect, LA officials met with the representatives of the NGO to better understand their claim. The Lands Authority will intensify its investigations.”
We have been assured that we will not be made to move our horses until an alternative is found.
Meanwhile RMJ president Corinne Farrugia said the NGO is in talks with many people to try and find a solution. "The focus seems to be on the illegal aspect of subleasing government land so we hope that the horses will be taken into consideration. So far, we have been assured that we will not be made to move our horses until an alternative is found. I really hope this is true,” she said.
Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights Clint Camilleri said: “We are always willing to support NGOs safeguard the welfare of animals… within legal limits. I am in contact with the Lands Authority regarding this issue. It is very important that such an NGO continues to carry out its work."
RMJ is Malta's only horse rescue NGO. It takes in injured and unwanted horses. The majority are race horses that would otherwise be sent for slaughter.
Earlier this week the NGO informed its followers, via a Facebook post, that it may no longer be in a position to take in horses due to increased rental costs.
Ms Farrugia explained that the stables, where they currently keep 30 horses, are on government-owned land registered as a chicken farm. The farmer has declined to comment.
The NGO is calling for a solution that would solve the problem in the long term.
“Donations always help. But we’re looking for a long-term solution, a place where we can keep these horses,” she said. Ms Farrugia elaborated that, apart from the rent, the NGO has to foot the bill for animal feed, vet bills as well as the cost of overseas homing.
Meanwhile, RMJ set up a crowd funding initiative to raise money to cover bills https://gogetfunding.com/june-fundraiser/.