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Missing Żurrieq Kitten Was Actually ‘Euthanised’ By Animal Welfare After Rescuer Called For Help

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Animal activists are up in arms after a kitten they found and sent for medical treatment went missing for days – only for authorities to reveal that it had actually been put to sleep.

Activists believe the kitten, which was suffering from a fracture and cat flu, did not need to be put to sleep, and could have been treated and nursed back to health.

The story comes out as Animal Welfare struggle with beds and resources to adequately handle an overwhelming amount of stray animal issues across Malta and Gozo.

Last Saturday evening, Joanna Mallia found the tri-coloured kitten running around the streets of Żurrieq.

Speaking to Lovin Malta, she explained how she called the Animal Welfare Directorate for assistance. The officer arrived and retrieved the cat – but was not provided with a patient number for the cat, as is typical.

She was told the cat was going to be sent to the APH Veterinary Hospital in Attard. The next day, Mallia called, asking for an update – but was told that since they couldn’t provide a patient number, they weren’t able to locate the cat.

Mallia tried giving all other details – including where and when it was retrieved, physical descriptions and more, but the cat couldn’t be found. Rescuers began to get worried – did the kitten even ever make it to hospital?

“Eventually, on Tuesday afternoon, we were told he was put to sleep because he had a fracture and cat flu,” Mallia told Lovin Malta. “They could have called us and asked us if we want to pay for the costs of the fracture, which we would have happily paid instead of having it killed…”

Heartbroken at what had happened, Mallia shared a photo of the late kitten on social media, asking for answers, even going so far as to tag Romina Frendo, a founding member and Secretary-General of Real Animal Rights (RAR Malta) as well as the chair of Malta’s Animal Welfare Council.

Frendo responded publicly, saying: “If you believe a crime has been committed in this case please ask the police to investigate as in any crime against animal welfare.”

Major concerns have arisen in recent months and years about the management and day-to-day running of the Animal Welfare Directorate – and this case of euthanising has galvanised activists to find out more about what happens to animals once AW is called in.

Online, people had a lot to say.

“AW have become worse than ever before,” said one person. “There are three people employed there who really care and are dedicated. The rest are useless and put there as government employees, and not as animal lovers.”

Have you had a negative experience in relation to the Animal Welfare Directorate in Malta? Speak to Lovin Malta in confidence by emailing [email protected]

READ NEXT: 'Dear Shawn': Partner Pens Heart-Wrenching Tribute To Żejtun Father Hours After His Death

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]

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