Regulating dog and cat shows in Malta : a legislative proposal

Abstract

This study aims to answer which sets of key legislative and regulatory provisions and guidelines are best suited to serve as the foundation for a subsidiary law on dog and cat shows under the Maltese Animal Welfare Act. Throughout the dissertation, legal issues regarding dogs and cats, especially within the commercial sphere were noted, with the aim that they are legally addressed. The main issue highlighted was the fact that the entire Part (Part X) dealing with ‘Use of Animals at Competitions’ under the Animal Welfare Act, fails to regulate dog and cat shows in Malta. However, Part X empowers the minister to implement regulations on this particular subject matter, through Articles 27, 28, 29, and 30 (2) of the Act. Thus, this dissertation’s objective was to fill the nonliquet which exists under Maltese law regarding the said shows, by proposing a set of regulations on dog and cat shows. This dissertation gathered sufficient data and legal knowledge through the examination and comparative analysis of the UK, Australia, and the US regulations, to review and possibly extrapolate legal norms and principles which could be of use in the case of Malta vis-à-vis the promulgation of a subsidiary law regulating shows and exhibitions of animals under the AWA. The comparative analysis delved into legislation regulating animal shows and exhibitions but also considered animal welfare protection in that particular jurisdiction, to better understand the core animal welfare principles. Procedural issues, such as, inter alia, licensing and enforcement powers, were also considered. Given that the above-mentioned three countries’ legal provisions mainly discuss licensing laws on exhibitions and shows in general, and do not specifically (nor exclusively) deal with dogs and cats, this study also examined any guideline documents issued by their government authorities, as well as those issued by local animal welfare groups. Additionally, international AW groups and their publications were also considered. Thus, in the concluding section, a proposal of a set of key regulatory principles on dog and cat shows under the AWA, was presented.