We, the undersigned, demand full accountability from those who organised, approved, and attempted to carry through the proposed transfer of 20 Pit Bull–type dogs on 17th December from Malta to a mass shelter in Italy known as Dogs Town SRL.

 

This transfer should never have been approved.

 

Serious concerns have since emerged regarding Dogs Town SRL, including reports that the facility houses 600–700 dogs and allegations of dogs dying from infections following surgical procedures. These concerns are easily discoverable through basic due diligence. A simple investigation would have shown that this location was wholly unsuitable for the welfare and long-term safety of these dogs.

 

 

This is not an isolated incident. Past experiences have repeatedly shown that the welfare of dogs housed within the Animal Welfare Department has been treated as a secondary concern rather than a priority.

 

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We therefore demand the following:

 1. Immediate accountability from all individuals involved in organising, approving, and facilitating this transfer.

 2. The removal of the Director of Animal Welfare

 3. The removal of Enforcement Manager, who we have confirmed had knowledge of this plan.

 4. The removal of the responsible manager’s 

 5. Accountability and removal from duties involving animals of the veterinarian, who signed off on the dogs’ travel without ensuring knowledge of the destination or the conditions the dogs would have faced.

 6. Accountability for:

 • The individual(s) who approved public funds for this transfer.

 • Any person who gave the final go-ahead without physically inspecting the destination facility or independently verifying conditions.

 7. A full, independent, and transparent investigation, with findings made public and no attempt to obscure responsibility.

 

These individuals are entrusted with the care and protection of animals on behalf of the public. Their duty is to safeguard animal welfare — not to remove animals from sight without proper checks, accountability, or concern for their future wellbeing.

 

We call upon Minister Anton Refalo and the Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said to take immediate action.

 

We no longer trust any person who had a role in this decision-making process to act in the best interests of animals under their care.

 

We demand the highest standards, transparency, and responsibility from government officials whose role is to protect animals.

 

We will protect these dogs at all costs.

We will not stay silent.

We will not accept excuses, deflection, or inaction.

 

Any individual who enables or excuses this behaviour is complicit.

 

Enough is enough.