The result was shockingly close, with those voting 'Yes' to Spring Hunting winning the referendum by approximately 2,200 votes!
Our Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, assured those having voted 'No' to Spring Hunting, that if any hunter is caught breaking the law, then the spring hunting season would be shut down. I disagree with this, because I understand that not all hunters should be punished because of one foul act.
Rather, action is to be taken against each and everyone who breaks the law, so that an example is set on a continuous basis. However, shooting a protected bird is one thing, but injuring a child with shotgun pellets is another.
Whether it was an incident or not, shouldn't matter in my opinion. If the hobby is a threat to any other human, then action is to be taken more seriously. This could have ended in a more tragic way.
By the above statement, I mean no offence to hunters in particular, as this should apply to all hobbies which could prove to be injurious to humans. For example, if having horses in the road proves to be a danger to others, then this should be tackled in a similar way.
However, one is to add that the behaviour that followed after the incident, as implied by the victim, can under no circumstances be accepted. The child reported to the police that the hunter slapped him in the face. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, and was later granted bail against a deposit of 300 Euros, and a personal guarantee of 2,000 Euros.
He was charged with attacking and threatening the victim, slightly injuring him with a firearm due to negligence and with being a relapser.
What is your perspective regarding this matter? How do you think it would be best to solve such problems?
Kaylie Chetcuti
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