Two animal rights activists who turned up unannounced at the circus in Naxxar were disappointed when the owner asked them to leave – despite making a public invitation two days ago.
Fleur Cilia Bucket, from World Events to End Animal Cruelty (Weeac) Malta, and a friend walked into a tent where the animals are kept in pens at about 3pm and later made their way to the outdoor area near the tigers.
At that point, the owner of Circo Fantasy, Mario Sali, spotted them and asked them to leave, Ms Cilia Bucket said.
She told him that she went there because he had said, through the media, that animal activists were welcome to visit.
She referred to his comments reported by various media outlets, including The Times, in which Mr Sali said: “Animal rights activists have to spend a month with us to see how we treat our animals before they dish out criticism.”
A spokesman for the Circo Fantasy said the activists were asked to leave because they trespassed on private property. Besides, they did so at about 3pm, when the animals were resting.
The invite extended to the activists was still valid, so long as they were accompanied by a member of an authority such as the police, local council or...
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