The head of the Animal Welfare Directorate is currently facing an internal investigation following a number of allegations made against her.

Patricia Azzopardi took on the role back in May 2021 after former director Noel Montebello transferred to Malta’s Public Abattoir. She is allegedly being accused of a number of things, ranging from internal mismanagement to at least two cases involving alleged corruption, Lovin Malta is informed. 

A spokesperson from the Animal Rights Ministry told Lovin Malta that it would not comment pending investigations. Azzopardi herself denies the claims against her, particularly that they involve any type of corruption.

Animal Welfare has been rocked by major incidents and damning allegations over the last few months.

From strays being left in flea-infested, abandoned, burned down fields to newborn kittens freezing to death under state care to a lack of inspections due to staffing issues, the department is struggling to keep up with the island’s demands.

Activists have regularly voiced their criticism publicly amidst a series of allegations made against Azzopardi; now, the internal investigation, conducted by a board, will be able to determine how much of the department’s woes are a direct consequence of Azzopardi’s decisions.

Azzopardi, the former Director of the Health Regulation Department, took on the role after a six-month search for a new director following Montebello’s departure. Prior to her taking on the role, the department already faced criticism over its “amateurish” approach to dealing with reports of animal abuse.

Azzopardi faced a major challenge modernising the department, both from an internal process standpoint as well as in terms of public reputation. In an interview with Lovin Malta shortly after her assignment, she spoke of her future vision for the department.

“We have a formidable team but we have to work together. As a team, we have to be proactive rather than reactive,” she said.