Animal cruelty — Direttorat għall-Ħarsien tal-Annimali

Direct answer

Animal cruelty is an offence in every EU country and there is a specialised route in most: Direttorat għall-Ħarsien tal-Annimali — Animal Welfare 1717 (1717) — the animal-welfare inspectorate or hotline for Malta — can visit, seize the animal and prosecute. For an animal in immediate danger or a violent owner, Pulizija ta' Malta — għassa tal-pulizija / 112 (112). Kunsill Lokali / LESA (2200 2300) handles stray animals, dangerous dogs and licensing. Report with facts, not feelings: what you saw, when, where, and photos if you can take them safely.

Call firstDirettorat għall-Ħarsien tal-Annimali — Animal Welfare 1717

Report toPulizija ta' Malta — għassa tal-pulizija / 112

If that failsKunsill Lokali / LESA

🗣️ What to say

"At [address / location] I have seen [animal] [chained without water / injured / beaten / left in a car] on [dates, times], photos attached. I would like to report this and ask for an inspection. I can be contacted at [number] / I prefer to stay anonymous."

🪜 Step by step

Observe and documentDates, times, what exactly. Photos from public space. Do not enter private property.
Report to Direttorat għall-Ħarsien tal-Annimali — Animal Welfare 1717Online form or hotline. Anonymous reports are accepted in most countries.
Immediate danger: Pulizija ta' Malta — għassa tal-pulizija / 112A dog in a hot car, a beating in progress — the police can act now.
Strays and dangerous animals: Kunsill Lokali / LESAThe municipality collects strays and handles dog-licensing and bite reports.
Follow upAsk for the case number and, if nothing changes, report again with new dates. Repeat reports move cases.

📇 All contacts

Direttorat għall-Ħarsien tal-Annimali — Animal Welfare 1717Animal cruelty: inspection, seizure, prosecutionNeglect or abuse📞 1717 🔗 agrikoltura.gov.mt/en/awd

Pulizija ta' Malta — għassa tal-pulizija / 112Report at any police stationTheft, threats, stalking📞 112 🔗 pulizija.gov.mt

Kunsill Lokali / LESANuisances, roads, waste, lost propertyFor anything the council handles📞 2200 2300 🔗 localgovernment.gov.mt

Direttorat għas-Saħħa Ambjentali / Awtorità tad-DjarUnfit housing, mould, pests, noiseWhen health is at risk at home📞 2133 7333 🔗 deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/environmental/Pages/home.aspx

❓ Frequently asked

Will the owner know it was me?

Not from the inspectorate. Reports are confidential; anonymous reporting is possible.

A dog barks all day in a flat

That can be a welfare issue (left alone too long) and a noise issue. Report to Direttorat għall-Ħarsien tal-Annimali — Animal Welfare 1717 with times; the noise page covers the rest.

Farm or transport animals

Same authority in most countries; live-transport complaints go to the veterinary service at Direttorat għall-Ħarsien tal-Annimali — Animal Welfare 1717.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

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“report animal cruelty Malta”
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“dog left in hot car who to call”
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