Watch: Illegal Trapper Aggressively Assaults Dog Walker Near Bird Trapping Site
A dog walker near a trapping site in the north of Malta was allegedly punched to the ground by a poacher in an unprovoked attack.
The incident, which left the victim with grievous facial injuries, occurred near a location notorious for illegal bird trapping activities. The Malta Ranger Unit (MRU) has since reported the illegal trapping of Golden Plovers at the same site, where the police, assisted by the Rangers, caught the trapper red-handed.
The accused is now facing a court case, risking the loss of his hunting license and a significant fine if found guilty.
A week before the arrest, the alleged aggressor exited his vehicle upon spotting the dog walker, approached aggressively, and allegedly punched the man to the ground.
After returning to his vehicle, the accused was heard making comments to ensure the victim provided his name and vehicle registration to the Police. The victim, who had filmed the incident for evidence, was also shamed by the accused for recording the aggressive behaviour.
The victim required immediate medical attention. A CT scan revealed grievous injuries, including comminuted fractures to his facial bones.
Due to the severity of the injuries, surgery may be necessary to ensure proper healing, as the bones were broken in multiple places.
The MRU released a statement, approved by the victim and his family, to highlight the impunity often felt by environmental criminals and poachers. They emphasised the importance of victims speaking up about such crimes to bring about meaningful change.
“This statement should not act as a deterrent to report crimes, but on the contrary, as an encouragement and a clarification that this type of impunity ends today,” the MRU declared.
“Environmental criminals have enjoyed impunity for decades due to the lack of willingness from decision-makers to tackle such crimes, leaving our environment to degrade and illegal activities to increase.”
The MRU criticised the reluctance of authorities to take a firm stand against poaching, fearing backlash from hunters. They clarified that “although all poachers are hunters, not all hunters are poachers,” urging decision-makers to fulfil their duty as public servants to uphold the law.
The MRU has urged authorities and the Police to act swiftly and decisively on this case, given the seriousness of the crimes involved. They pledged to keep the public informed about the progress of the court case, which will address both the illegal trapping and the alleged unprovoked assault, backed by documented video evidence.
The MRU also extended their wishes for a speedy recovery to the victim and reiterated their commitment to ensuring justice is served in this case.
This incident sheds light on the broader issue of environmental crimes in Malta and highlights the urgent need for stronger enforcement and accountability to protect both nature and those who stand up against such illegal activities.
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