Marlene Mizzi writes to authorities to complain about pigeon culling

MEP Marlene Mizzi has written to Ministers and Persons of Authority to complain about the pigeon culling exercise that was carried out in Vittoriosa this week.

She wrote that she wanted to “strongly register my objection... to eliminate pigeons in such a barbaric and cruel manner, in broad daylight and in a built-up area with a serious breach of public safety.”

The email, which was copied to the media, is addressed to Police Commissioner Laurence Cutajar, the Animal Welfare Commissioner Emmanuel Buhagiar, Environment Minister Jose Herrera, Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Welfare Clint Camilleri and Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi.

The letter reads as follows:

“Reference is made to the media reports about the shooting of pigeons in Birgu yesterday, 5th April 2018

“As a private citizen, as well as the Vice President of the Intergroup of Animal Welfare of the European Parliament, I would like to strongly register my objection to such actions seemingly authorised by the Birgu Council, to eliminate pigeons in such a barbaric and cruel manner, in broad daylight and in a built-up area with a serious breach of public safety.

“While it is acknowledged that pigeons can cause problems of public hygiene, it is also a fact that shooting them is only a temporary solution which causes bigger problems and produces bigger and stronger numbers.

“However the issue of shooting these birds in broad daylight and in built-up areas, and the suffering and cruelty of such actions, beg the following questions, for which replies would be appreciated:

“To the Police Commissioner, Mr Laurence Cutajar: Did the perpetrators have a police authority to use guns in built-up areas? If not, what is the police going to do about this abuse and danger to public safety caused by such irresponsible actions?

“To Animal Welfare Commissioner, Mr Emmanuel Buhagiar: Were the Animal Welfare authorities consulted about using this culling method to address the problem? Has any action been taken to address the issue of pigeon inconvenience to the public in a humane and effective manner?

“To the Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Jose Herrera, and the PS for Animal Welfare, the Hon. Clint Camilleri: was the Ministry informed of such action being taken? What is the Ministry going to do about future culling in the interests of the environment and animal welfare?

“To the Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Konrad Mizzi: Is the Ministry aware of the damage to the image of our country when tourists witness such barbaric actions?