A hedgehog which died after eating poisoned cat food on campus brought to light the issue of university cats being poisoned.
On the 16th of November, five students; Maya Spiteri Dalli, Pearl Agius, Giuliana Magro Conti, Jack Cassar, and Matthias Muscat, saved a hedgehog that looked poorly next to the cat area at the University of Malta.
On her way to the lecture, Maya Spiteri Dalli, stopped by the cat area of the University of Malta only to find something unusual – a hedgehog!
“He was in a poor state and trembling so my natural instinct was to pick him up”,
Maya Spiteri Dalli
Not quite sure what to do, Maya called her friends who had already saved a hedgehog before. A mutual decision came about to call Nature Trust.
“We took it in turns to stay with him as to not miss our lecture entirely”.
Pearl called Nature Trust which arrived shortly afterward;
“We told him he was limping and in a poor state, and the worker told us he was malnourished and underweight.”
Nature Trust picked him up and left to give him the proper treatment.
Unfortunately, the next morning they received the bad news.
“My friend received a message that the hedgehog died of poisoning, probably from the cat food at the university. As a dog owner, this angered me immensely, even more, because this animal is a protected species”.
“I’m not sure there is much that can be done, but to go insofar as poisoning animals in an institution is beyond heartless.”
Poisoning of helpless animals is still very common, both in Malta and Gozo. I am saddened to see these acts happen in a University that is known to having multiple stray cats. Cats that are loved by many and have also been given names by the students and the educators themselves. When will we strengthen the laws of such inhumane acts?
