G]ammieri, AWD animals terrified as Saint Sebastian fireworks being let off few metres away

Animals being kept at the government farm in Għammieri and rescued dogs held in pens at the Animal Welfare Directorate (AWD) compound are being left terrified and agitated as fireworks for the feast of Saint Sebastian in Qormi are being let off from a site situated just a few metres away, The

Malta Independent has been told. The site is situated in an area that is very close to both compounds, a source said, adding that the petards were being lit in an area less than 10 metres away from the ostrich pens and around 30 metres away from the compound where rescued dogs are kept by the AWD.

The Għammieri farm houses several animal species, including horses, cows, bulls, deer, donkeys, sheep and goats. The source said the deer were among the most affected animals. “They run around, slamming into the sides of their enclosure because they are just terrified,” the source said.

The source explained that the sound of the petards going up into the air was actually worse than the explosion, since the launch tubes are situated in a site adjacent to the animal pens.

“This has been going on for an entire week and will continue today and tomorrow,” the source said.

“This is absolute madness. The authorities tell us that they love animals but then they go ahead and do something like this.”

The situation has been ongoing for a number of years, but the situation this year is “unbelievable,” this newspaper was told. “Over the past two years the authorities have tried to find suitable sites further down, in the fields, but residents complained and the firework enthusiasts did not get a permit. This time round, they have moved further up, smack in between Għammieri and the AWD premises,” explained the source.

“Of course everyone here is disgusted, even our superiors, but we were told to stay quiet because permission had been given ‘from above’ and nothing could be done about it.”

The source explained that the firework enthusiasts were always accompanied by a fire engine, as per law, which showed how ‘official’ the entire thing was.

“There is a sense of impunity, that no one can do anything to stop this. Who will take responsibility if a fire breaks out on the farm?” the source asked, adding that there had been instances in the past when fireworks in the area had led to fires.

According to the laws regulating explosives, fireworks should be let off “in an enclosed place, and, on the occasion of festivals or other public gatherings, at such a distance from the crowd as to avoid danger of accidents.”

Animal rescue NGOs have frequently called on the authorities to ban the letting off of fireworks near animal sanctuaries. Earlier this year, the Island Sanctuary, which is situated in Fort tas-Silġ in Marsaxlokk, published videos showing the terrifying effect nearby fireworks had on its dogs.

Some of the animals had to be constantly comforted by the volunteers until the pyrotechnic show was over.

The MSPCA has repeatedly called for the introduction of silent fireworks.