‘Enforce, Not Ban’: Petition Urges Malta To Reverse New Bully Breed Ban
A petition has been set up to urge the government to reverse its decision to ban the breeding and sale of non-pedigree and mixed bully breed dogs.
The petition, set up by Our Rescues Malta, said the authorities should instead focus on enforcing current animal welfare laws by implementing the following measures.
Enforcing current microchip laws: All dogs should be microchipped by law and any puppies sold or re-homed must be microchipped before the transaction and registered under a licensed breeder.
Heavy fines and jail for abandonment: Significant fines should be imposed on people who abandon their pets, with increased fines for repeat offenders, potentially leading to imprisonment.
Undercover officers for backyard breeders: Officers should go undercover when investigating unlicensed breeders. Anyone caught breeding dogs without a license should face strict penalties.
Strict penalties for unregistered sales: There should be harsh penalties for anyone selling dogs without being a registered breeder.
The animal NGO warned that Malta faces a significant problem with the overpopulation of bully breed, partly due to irresponsible breeding and ownership.
“This overpopulation has led to a higher rate of abandonment, with many dogs left in animal welfare facilities or on the streets,” they said. “The lack of proper regulation and enforcement of existing laws has exacerbated this issue, resulting in overcrowded animal welfare facilities and inadequate care for these animals.”
They went on to warn that banning a specific breed of dogs unfairly targets them, often leads to more abuse and neglect, and can drive the breeding and sale of these dogs underground.
The new law, announced by Animal Rights Minister Anton Refalo and Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights Alicia Bugeja Said today, bans the breeding and sale of non-pedigree and mixed bully breed dogs.
First offenders will be subjected to a €1,000 administrative fine while repeat offenders will be hauled to court.
The first conviction is punishable with a fine of between €2,000 – €65,000, imprisonment of up to three years or both. Future convictions will be punishable with fines of €6,000 – €80,000, imprisonment for three years or both.
People will still be able to purchase or adopt pedigree bully breeds from recognised kennel clubs and current bully breed owners wont be impacted.
You can sign the petition here.
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