Maltese Supermarkets Brace For Complaints Over Crackdown On Pets In Trolleys
Leading Maltese supermarkets have said they are bracing themselves from a customer backlash in the wake of a new crackdown by the health authorities on pet owners taking their animals with them while out shopping.
Speaking to Times of Malta, Pama and Pavi deputy CEO Malcolm Camilleri said his supermarkets introduced dedicated pet trolleys two years ago following a demand from customers and expects this new policy to be met with anger.
“From the feeling we have, pets are like kids for their owners and they like to have them with them. They buy them clothes and even come with their own pushchairs,” he said, adding pets should be allowed inside supermarkets if all the necessary health precautions are taken and they aren’t allowed next to the food.
Wellbee’s CEO Jonathan Shaw said his supermarkets will now have to go through the process of explaining to frustrated customers that the situation is out of their control.
“I understand the dynamics of the pet-owner relationship and we will have to face that issue because some may decide not to go where their pets are not allowed,” he said.
Greens Supermarket managing director Joseph Sammut said he hopes for the law to be revised to allow pets to join their owners at supermarkets in specially-fitted trolleys.
“Our customers were very happy; their pets came dressed up and it has been like a show, while others never complained and enjoyed seeing them too,” he said.
Animal activists have also expressed their anger at this crackdown, with Moria Delia pointing out that dogs are allowed to accompany their owners to hotels, restaurants, cafeterias and supermarkets in several European countries.
Animal Liberation Malta pointed out the irony in the fact that, from now on, the only animals allowed inside supermarkets will be the dead ones at the butcher.
“Funnily enough, a few months ago we all had to wear masks to go into said stores to protect ourselves from a disease caused by animal exploitation and consumption,” the activist group said.
“The Health Authorities seem to have their priorities messed up – when have they ever warned us about the dangers of meat and dairy products? When have they ever warned us about the dangers it poses on our health?”
“While countries around Europe are encouraging people to take their pets into stores, restaurants, hotels and establishments, we do the exact opposite. We can only be so progressive…”
The crackdown is based on the EU’s Food Safety Act of 2004 that “prevents domestic animals from having access to places where food is prepared, handled and stored” but which comes with a proviso allowing the authorities to permit this in certain cases if such access doesn’t result in food contamination.
Animal Welfare Commissioner Alison Bezzina told Lovin Malta that she has asked the Health Commissioner and the Health Ministry whether they will issue guidelines to prevent contamination in light of this proviso.
Cover photo: Left: Stock image, Right: Health Minister Chris Fearne (Photo: Facebook – Chris Fearne)
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