An e-mail with a difference.

You know, it's one of those e-mails that frequently do the rounds ... but this one particularly caught my attention because of its 'verosimile' kind of thing ... the picture of a dog, lying down on cold tarmac on a busy road, with heavy transport for company ... not a very nice, dignified place for a seriously-injured creature ... and another dog, standing guard over him, at times prodding his injured friend with his front leg, trying to make him move away from persistent danger ... in vain, of course, because the injured creature is too heavy for the standing dog, which, helplessly, barks at cars rushing past, eager for help. Yet, none comes along. Only a few people taking snapshots at this 'interesting' sight.

A sight of which, I have seen, myself, and often, too. Here, in Malta, at least twice, I came across such a sorry scene - a cat, lying dead, with another cat watching over it, waiting for it to wake up and walk away. But there is no waking up for the dead cat. There is only the cold tarmac beneath it. And soon, thanks to the cars and the traffic, that dead cat, too, will become part of that tarmac, entrails and all.
We have seen it before. We see it every day, don't we? There are those of us, especially young drivers, who BOAST about it ... about the CRUNCH they felt as tyre met the animal's head!

There must be more to life.

Even for animals.

So, dear friends, especially those of you who have an animal-companion at home - and by 'home', I don't mean up on the rooftops or down in the small, smelly yard, but inside your living-rooms and up in your bedrooms - be happy that you have that non-pedigree cat or dog or other animal that you keep with you, for life! You saved him from the ravages of the cruel streets and roads that we have. 'It' is one less cat or dog living in the streets, under cars, wherever they can find shelter from the cruel elements.
And that, in itself, is a blessing for that poor animal. I, myself, am proud that I have two cat-companions who share the abode I live in - we are three, and I know that they have given me more, much more than I can give to them.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE UNEDITED AND UNSHORTENED LETTER AS SENT TO THE TIMES AND WHICH APPEARED TODAY, 24 NOVEMBER.

I was somewhat incensed by the contents of Dr Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando’s article about animals - in which he praised his own Government for the great strides it is taking in favour of animal wellbeing. He also took to task all those who describe Maltese society as ‘animal-unfriendly’. He claims that nothing is further from the truth.
I beg to disagree with him. Totally.
He first speaks about petitions and signatures. The petition was a good exercise, admittedly. But don’t come telling me that a petition, on its own, is enough ‘evidence that Malta is far from being "animal-unfriendly"’. Animals need concrete action, not mere signatures. And concrete action means action NOW, not promises of action in the future.
And what ‘support being given by the Government’ to animal sanctuaries is the Honourable Member speaking about? As far as I know, speaking to various leaders of volunteers of animal sanctuaries, I often get the feeling that there is absolute frustration in these camps, in that the authorities hardly ever listened to these individuals who are doing sterling service to the animal-kingdom, in Malta and Gozo.
Perhaps, I am wrong. Then, I would be most happy for Dr Pullicino Orlando to furnish me with facts.
He speaks about the ‘sterling work’ by the Department of Education in this sphere. True enough. But not enough!
It is great news that once again, the Nationalist government remembered past promises with regard to an animal centre based in Ta’ Qali. However, real animal-lovers have grown used to promises being made by various governments and will not believe that this project will pick up unless, once again, they get facts! It’s useless to boast about projects for the future. Boast about projects that have been implemented, or which are about to be.
Dr Pullicino Orlando seems to prefer giving the amount of money voted for animals in euros than in Maltese lira – probably, €350,000 would look more generous a sum than LM 160,000! That having been said, one has to take into consideration how much money other entities get for the running of their enterprises. Animal welfare NEVER got any money from, say, Lotto and Super 5 earnings which went to other spheres such as sport and cultural events, etc ... When you consider what needs to be done to alleviate the cruelty of animals that are carried out in Malta and Gozo, and when you consider how much money animal-NGO volunteers use from their own pockets, well ... LM 160,00 is nothing.
He claims that this money is going to be used in ‘direct aid to associations involved in the care of abandoned animals and to fund a nation-wide neutering programme in this year's budget’. Is this official? I doubt it. From what I have gathered, much of the funds are being channeled in favour of the neutering program – which, while admittedly it is beneficial, will not solve the problem of animal-cruelty in this country. I agree with the writer: most of the money SHOULD be directed to the needs of sanctuaries. The question, however, is: will they?
Once again, Dr Pullicino Orlando needs to explain in detail – (as an aside, I am sure that The Times will give him ample space for this, probably because he is an MP; I have been trying to get an article on animals published for six or seven weeks, and it never appared!) – in what way/s is the present government backing the voluntary workers involved in this sector.
However, when I read words such as: ‘We're definitely a society which, as a whole, is far from being animal-unfriendly.’, I really realise why Dr Pullicino Orlando writes as he does, about animals in Malta. He definitely lives on cloud nine!
In conclusion, animals do not want the politicians’ attention merely during election-time, in order to try and garner more votes from animal-lovers. It’s not politicians visiting animal-sanctuaries during election-period that is needed, but a definite message to the population that cruelty to animals, in all its forms, will not be tolerated. Zero tolerance to such animal-cruelty is what is needed, and this has to come across in deeds, not in words, empty promises and photo-shoots!

Bringing perpetrators to justice! The big problem.

Jail animal torturers

Shane Johnson, Msida.

I am truly sickened at the number of cases involving animal cruelty in Malta, with dogs and cats being found strangled, others burnt with acid while yet others have their paws sawn off.
I am sure that it must take a particularly cruel individual to hurt these animals in this way and I am equally sure that if someone has so much hate inside him/her that he/she is capable of inflicting torture on an innocent animal, this person must surely be cruel enough to also hurt other humans.

The problem is that although we hear so many sickening stories, we rarely hear of the perpetrators being brought to justice. Possibly the police have enough on their hands without having to investigate crimes involving animals, but what is happening is that we are not sending the proper message to these monsters that animal cruelty, especially torture, is punishable by law and in other foreign countries criminals caught hurting animals have to serve time in jail.

It is high time that we too start sending people who have tortured animals to jail, which will surely act as a deterrent to these cowards who feel good by inflicting pain on another animal.
Recently we have also heard of animals being stolen from Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija and were also told that a deer was bludgeoned to death. Some suspects have been detained by the police and there is reportedly strong evidence that might link the crime to these suspects. I would strongly suggest that should the suspects be proven guilty, they should serve an effective jail sentence and let this be the message that there is no place for barbarism in our country.

HERE, TOO, WE HAVE A LAW-ABIDING CONTRIBUTOR SPEAKING HER HEART AND MIND OUT, SO TO SPEAK. SHE IS WRITING IN ORDER TO HIGHLIGHT THE ORDEAL THAT CATS AND DOGS GO THROUGH, HERE IN MALTA, BY PEOPLE WHO ARE, IN FACT, NOT PEOPLE AT ALL, BUT SOCIAL PROBLEMS ON TWO LEGS!

WE ARE ALL AWARE - WELL, 'WE', THAT IS, THOSE OF US WHO READ THESE PAGES AND WEBSITES DEDICATED TO ANIMAL WELLBEING - ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF ANIMALS. WHEN I SAY ANIMALS, I MEAN ALL ANIMALS, WHETHER THEY ARE DOMESTIC OR FARM ANIMALS.

OF COURSE, WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR FEET FIRMLY ON THE GROUND. AND YES, BE REALISTIC. FOR WE CAN EXPECT ALL PEOPLE TO BE KIND TO ANIMALS AND NOT TO INFLICT ANY CRUELTY ON THEM. BUT CERTAINLY WE CANNOT EXPECT ALL PEOPLE TO FOLLOW US IN OUR VEGETARIAN LIFE. IT WOULD BE CRAZY TO EXPECT ALL AND SUNDRY TO ACCEPT TO FOLLOW SUCH A LIFE. MOREOVER, IT IS NOT AS SIMPLE AS THAT, TO CHANGE FROM ONE LIFESTYLE FULL OF EATING MEAT, TO ONE WHICH IS 100% MEAT-FREE. (I STILL HAVE TO 'MEAT' A PERSON WHO IS 100% VEGETARIAN! AND LIVING TO TELL THE TALE!) MOREOVER, THERE IS SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENT AGAINST MOVING FROM ONE LIFESTYLE TO THE OTHER OVERNIGHT!

I AM ABSOLUTELY NOT SAYING THAT THE HUMAN BEING SHOULD CONTINUE SLAUGHTERING THE ANIMALS THAT ARE BEING SLAUGHTERED AT THE MOMENT, FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. FAR FROM IT - LET NOBODY WITH AN AXE TO GRIND AT ME MISINTERPRET ME IN THIS MANNER. HOWEVER, IT WOULD BE EQUALLY IRRATIONAL TO EXPECT - DEMAND! - THAT ALL PEOPLE QUIT EATING MEAT AS FROM DAY 1!

THE HUMAN BEING, AFTER ALL, IS PART OF THE NATURAL JUNGLE AND ANIMALS do EAT OTHER ANIMALS, SO ......

NOW IS THE TIME TO HELP ...

... THE ISLAND SANCTUARY.

THE ISLAND SANCTUARY HAS A NO-KILL POLICY. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE NUMBER OF DOGS AT THE HOME IS QUITE HIGH. IN CONTRAST, THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS IS SMALL. THEREFORE, ANY HELP THAT YOU CAN GIVE TO THIS SANCTUARY IS SURE TO BE BLESSED FROM HEAVEN.

ONE SURE WAY OF HELPING THE SANCTUARY IS BY BUYING A CALENDAR - WHICH IS THE MAIN MEANS OF REVENUE THAT THE SANCTUARY HAS.

A black day for the animal kingdom, worldwide!

Japanese whalers hunt humpbacks

Environmentalists have clashed with the crew of Nisshin Maru before A Japanese whaling fleet has set sail aiming to harpoon humpback whales for the first time in decades.
The fleet is conducting its largest hunt in the South Pacific - it has instructions to kill up to 1,000 whales, including 50 humpbacks.
The humpback hunt is the first since a mid-1960s global ban and has drawn strong protests from environmentalists.
Commercial whaling was stopped in 1986 but Japan is permitted whaling in the name of scientific research.
Four whaling ships, including the lead craft Nisshin Maru, set off from the southern port of Shimonoseki on Sunday.
The 239-man mission plans to kill more than 900 minke whales as well as fin whales and humpbacks, in a South Pacific whale hunt that will run until mid-April.
The 8,000-metric ton Nisshin Maru was crippled by a fire on a whaling mission in the Antarctic in March. One crew member was killed.
A Greenpeace campaign ship will be following the Japanese fleet.
Sensitive mammals
Tokyo's plan to target the humpback - which was hunted to near extinction four decades ago - has drawn condemnation from environmentalists.

Crowds gathered to wave off the whaling boats
"Humpbacks are very sensitive and live in close-knit pods so even one death can be extremely damaging," Greenpeace spokesman Junichi Sato said.
Japanese fisheries officials insist both humpback and fin populations are back to sustainable levels.
"Humpback whales in our research area are rapidly recovering," said fisheries spokesman Hideki Moronuki.
"Taking 50 humpbacks from a population of tens of thousands will have no significant impact whatsoever."
Mr Moronuki said killing whales allowed marine biologists to study their internal organs.
Meat from Japan's scientific catch is sold commercially but Japanese officials deny that the mission plans to make a profit.
Tokyo argues that whaling is an ancient Japanese tradition, and has pushed unsuccessfully at the International Whaling Commission to reverse the 1986 moratorium on commercial whaling.
Environmentalists say Japan's research programme is a pretext for keeping the whaling industry alive.

INDEED, IT IS A BLACK DAY FOR ANIMALS IN GENERAL, WORLDWIDE. AN IMPORTANT AND PRECIOUS MORATORIUM HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR POLITICAL REASONS AND NOW, THESE PRECIOUS MAMMALS, THESE WHALES, WILL BE SLAUGHTERED IN THE NAME OF TRADITION. DOESN'T IT SMELL SOMETHING LIKE HUNTING AND TRAPPING IN MALTA? ... ADMITTEDLY, THOUGH, ON A MUCH LARGER SCALE.
IN ICELAND, THIS SLAUGHTERING GOES ON AS WELL. HOWEVER, ONLY ONE FACTORY IS KNOWN TO DEMAND WHALE MEAT FOR PROCESSING. ON THE OTHER HAND, MUCH MAY BE GAINED THROUGH TOURISM - PEOPLE FLOCK TO COUNTRIES WHERE THEY CAN GO OUT ON A BOAT IN ORDER TO WATCH WHALES IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT. WHALE-WATCHING IS A TOURISTIC NICHE WHICH CAN SO EASILY MAKE UP FOR THE MONEY THAT IS 'LOST' THROUGH GIVING UP FISHING FOR WHALES ALTOGETHER!

ON A PERSONAL NOTE ...

... I dedicate this blog to animals: to their wellbeing and to their awareness. Many of my teenage readers read parts of it because it has to do with animals and to learn about what is happening around them that has to do with animals. And I stop there! I have neither the time to enter into arguments with people who have nothing to do, nor do I have the will to shoot myself in the foot like other people and waste precious cyberspace showing people how learned I am about this and that.

Let Pullicino Orlando read this!

Great Dane saved... and poisoned
Mary Rose Schembri Wismayer, Msida.

My great Dane Jumbo, whom I saved from attempted poisoning at Buskett, was being hosted on a farm at Cirkewwa and was well integrated with the farm dogs, especially Polly, a small sheepdog, who seemed to take him under her wing. Jumbo and Polly were a team and ran around together, enjoying the freedom and playing together. I have been visiting Jumbo and Polly every other day for the past 18 months, to feed and take them for a ride in my car and for walks, besides leaving a tank with dry food for the farmer to feed them daily. A young man from the neighbouring sanctuary Noah's Ark saw to their daily feeding too.
On November 8, I searched for Jumbo and Polly for more than an hour, as they did not come running as usual when I honked my horn. Much later I found Jumbo dead in a field opposite the farm precinct, stretched out - poisoned with white powder still in his mouth. Handsome gentle Jumbo had been poisoned by a heartless individual who has no right to call himself human! Jumbo wore a red harness with his name and my mobile phone number on it, so that people would know that he was no stray and they could contact me if there was any problem. Yet, some person with no courage and no conscience poisoned a lovely, gentle, happy dog who gave glory to his creator with his beauty and happiness, by stretching out a hand with food to kill!
An action of giving with evil intent. Can such a person sleep at night? One day he has to reply to his creator for such callous, inhuman behaviour. We humans have the might but not the right to kill, especially animals who are so vulnerable and trust us.
Polly, the black and white sheep dog in the photo, has not been found since then. I appeal to Polly's killer: If you have not poisoned and buried her too, will you please return her to the farm. She is much loved and missed.

People who have nothing better to do! Shooting themselves in the foot, indeed!

Respect for animals
by Kenneth Cassar
I refer to Franco Farrugia’s letter (Taking care of animals TMID, 9 November). I shall only comment on one paragraph, which I see as particularly disturbing, despite Mr Farrugia’s good intentions.

WOW! AT LEAST THE WRITER ADMITTED THAT I HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS. HE CERTAINLY MADE MY DAY!

Mr Farrugia writes: “...First of all, Mr Farrugia fails to note another kind of people in the non-human animal issue – the animal rights advocate who holds that animals are not property, and that they should not be used for any human purpose. This has nothing to do with “animals” being a nuisance, and all to do with their fundamental right not to be treated as property. There is no love without respect.

OH COME ON, SPARE US THE EXACTTITUDES, PLEASE.

.... It’s just about the fact that human imposed breeding, selling and buying of any non-human animal is in itself abuse, since that single act treats non-human animals as human property.

AND ISN'T THAT EXACTLY WHAT I SAID IN MY LETTER????? COULD I HAVE BEEN CLEARER IN MY CONDEMNATION OF BREEDERS????

And property cannot have rights – .... I also find the claim made by many “animal lovers” that they prefer the company of “animals” to that of humans particularly worrying.

WELL, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, TOUGH! THAT'S MY OPINION, ONE WHICH IS UPHELD BY MANY!

No wonder the general public thinks of us as weirdos who turn to non-human animals because we lack the ability to maintain good human relationships.

FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS NO 'US', ESPECIALLY AFTER THIS LETTER! I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PERSON BEHIND THIS LETTER. SECONDLY, I THINK THERE ARE MUCH WEIRDER WEIRDOS THAN ONE WHO CLAIMS THAT HE PREFERS THE COMPANY OF ANIMALS THAN THAT OF MAN, SUCH AS THOSE, FOR INSTANCE, WHO ARE 100% VEGAN!!!!!

...
Kenneth Cassar
Animal Rights MaltaMarsascala

DOES KENNETH CASSAR REALISE THAT HE IS SHOOTING HIMSELF IN THE FOOT AND ATTACKING A FELLOW ANIMAL-LOVER? WHY DOESN'T KENNETH DO US ALL A FAVOUR AND CONTINUE KEEPING HIS GUNS TRAINED ON THOSE WHO HARM ANIMALS, AND NOT ON THE UNDERSIGNED!
ANYWAY, SORRY FOR USING THIS PRECIOUS CYPERSPACE WITH THIS CRAPPY STUFF! THAT'S WHY I EDITED IT TO REDUCE THIS WASTE AND SAVE IT FOR FAR MORE IMPORTANT THINGS IN MY LIFE: THE DEFENCE OF ANIMALS!

ONE OF THE BIGGEST LIES EVER!

READ THE BIGGEST LIE THAT WAS EVER TOLD, HERE IN MALTA, WITH REGARD TO ANIMAL WELLBEING. FURTHER COMMENTS WOULD BE SUPERFLUOUS!

Focus on animal welfare
Darrell Pace, communications coordinating officer, Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Valletta.
The letter entitled Animals Still Waiting by Anthony Mizzi (November 8) contains a few inaccuracies that need to be clarified.
The treatment the government reserved for animal welfare NGOs was far from the lip service that Mr Mizzi is implying. Animal welfare was and continues to be an area of high priority for the government. The budgeting of Lm150,000 to assist animal welfare NGOs in their mission confirms that this will remain so in the future.
This was the first time the government voted such a considerable sum to these NGOs.
This followed an earlier decision to allocate three state employees to assist as many NGOs in their daily operation. Furthermore, the announcement of the allocation of these funds was preceded by a number of consultation meetings between ministry officials and NGOs to plan ahead for the use of these funds.
The sum the government voted last year for animal welfare was Lm60,000. This was set aside entirely for the development of an Animal After-Care Centre in Ta' Qali.
Work on this centre proceeded throughout the past year with design and drawing up of the plans and subsequent submission of applications for the necessary permits with the relevant authorities. The development permits were issued a few weeks ago by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. Work on the actual construction will be starting shortly.

More cruelty to cats!

If certain people, politicians included, need more proof about the animal-cruelty that is so prevalent on our islands, the following is just the tip of the iceberg. Wherever you look, the proof is there. Only the blind will fail to see it - and the worst of the blind are those who refuse to see.


Anger as pet kitten is shot dead
Ariadne Massa
Feline model... Krug felt he should be the star of the show. When Claude Camilleri was posing for a photo shoot to promote his restaurant, the black kitten sashayed in and demanded full attention.
On a blustery Tuesday morning Claude Camilleri swerved into his restaurant's car park and from the corner of his eye saw something black strewn by the side.
Assuming it was a bin liner blown in from the streets, he went inside to drop off his bag and returned some minutes later to pick it up - lying there in a piteous state was his 16-week-old kitten.
"Krug had an airgun pellet lodged in his ribs. He was not yet stone cold so he must have been shot a few hours before I arrived. He was minding his own business on private grounds," he said.
Mr Camilleri, who runs Palazzo Santa Rosa at Mistra Bay, was first engulfed by fury and then distress that something so barbaric could happen in a supposedly civilised society.
"Why would anyone want to murder an innocent, pretty pet? Surely these are not the actions of a civilised, mature, social, or decent human being," he said.
The locals told him the culprit could well be a hunter who caught nothing and wanted to vent his frustration on a moving target.
This theory was strengthened by accounts from farmers in the area who have witnessed similar incidents in the past.
One such farmer, who preferred not to be named, told The Sunday Times that over several years more than 200 cats have been shot by hunters or mauled to death by hunting dogs, usually Tal-Fenek (Pharaoh Hounds).
"The situation gets worse in June, when the rabbit season opens, and in October. The cats obviously distract hunters' prey, so they shoot them," he said.
The farmer adds that not all hunters indulge in this heinous act. On the contrary, there was a hunter who went out of his way to feed the cats in the area, "though it's probably also a way to keep the felines occupied while he hunts," he added.
"I always keep cats in my fields. Apart from being good company they also keep the area free of rats. They never bother anyone. The more I love them, the more these things happen. I just have one cat left now," he said.
The little black Krug had won the hearts of the restaurant staff and patrons who dined on the terrace.
"Even our toughest member of staff couldn't resist him," Mr Camilleri said.
Krug, and another kitten called Cristal, were adopted by Mr Camilleri as part of his programme to support feline organisations that rescue and neuter abandoned cats.
Both kittens were rescued by Lorna D'Anastasi, an animal lover who salvaged them from a farm, which was being converted into an apartment block.
"I spent a week rescuing cats and kittens that were lucky enough to have avoided being buried under the rubble," she said when contacted.
Krug had lost all his siblings and was badly dehydrated and sick. At Mistra, with a lot of love and patience, he was nursed back to health.
"We had really bonded with Krug, which made it harder to accept he had to face such an end," Mr Camilleri said.
Mr Camilleri, who spent years living abroad, returned to Malta because he felt he could contribute to the island's economy, but this incident has left him disillusioned, saddened and heartbroken.
"Not because we lost a loving pet, but because all our efforts to demonstrate a better lifestyle have suddenly been shattered. Suddenly I want to go back where I came from and turn my back on this god-awful place," he said.
"This is not a one-off incident. People burn down trees, damage the environment and regularly steal our organic produce.
"This is a sign of a nation devoid of any social responsibility, dignity, self-respect and manners. We may have joined the EU, but when it comes to the moral fibre of the nation we are still a third world country."
He believes there should be stiffer penalties for cruelty to animals and referred to a recent incident in the US where a man was sentenced to six months imprisonment for throwing a dog out of a balcony in a fit of anger.
"We simply cannot just sit back and accept the harm caused by these outcasts of society... I just hope these people see the error of their ways," he said.

Cat cruelty - amputation of cats' claws!!!!!!

The following letter reminds us all of the ugly spectre of certain people, calling themselves animal-lovers, who declaw their cats in order to protect god knows what - the furniture, most probably. Because it seems that for these self-proclaimed 'animal-lovers', furniture comes before the dignity and the health of cats!

Cat cruelty (1)
Kate Borg, Paola.
As an ardent cat and animal lover, I would like to express my utter disgust that a presenter on a pet awareness TV show on Education 22 stated on November 2 that she had de-clawed her cats, when the other person was attempting to speak against de-clawing.
This is an inhumane procedure which mutilates the cat for life as an amputation of the cat's paw occurs.
It is indeed a shame that a person who says that she is an animal lover carries out such a procedure on any of her pets. I was also disgusted at the advertising of cat breeders on the programme.
When referring to a cat on a poster the presenter mentioned a breeder's name and said he had these particular cats. It seems that this programme has degenerated into subtle advertising.
It seems that the TV watchdogs have really gone to the dogs!


The second letter brings up another spectre - how cats are killed on our roads, literally become part of our tarmac. Is there no end to cruelty of animals on our streets?

Cat cruelty (2)
Ron Johnston, Sliema.
Malta appears to have no middle road regarding the many stray cats and, to a lesser extent, dogs roaming the streets, alleys etc. They are either loved or detested. I have witnessed cars which instead of slowing to avoid them, accelerate to hit them. On the contrary, I have witnessed "saints" feeding and showing compassion towards them.
These animals are not rodents but are God-created to be man's best friend, and if loved and cared for, these respond accordingly.
When I was a boy we had two cats that lived to about 15 years of age and, I am convinced, developed an uncanny instinct about one's comings and goings and various moods. Anyone agree?

Oh, I DO.

Animal welfare: Who cares?

INTRODUCTION:

Oh, what a laugh this tiny island called Malta is! I have been trying to get The Times to publish an article I sent in about animals for at least 6 weeks - and it never made it to the pages! And here comes Dr Jeffrey, with all due respect, who, being a Nationalist Member of Parliament - but I really think that stress should be made on the Member of Parliament, who, probably having more organs in his body than I, a simple, ordinary citizen, with just one vote to my name - has all the necessary means at his disposal to send in all kinds of articles and these are published straight away. Talk about the singer, and not the song!!! That is democracy at its best, for you, dear Jeffrey.

But anyway. Let's get down to business and speak about what Dr Schembri Orlando had to say ... about animals!

Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando
I have been involved in animal welfare issues for a number of years now. Last year I had the honour of presenting the largest petition ever collected on our islands, 40,000-plus signatures, which aimed at pushing specific animal welfare-related demands forward. Both the Prime Minister and the Minister for the Environment, to whom the petition was presented, were very receptive and concrete measures are being taken to help all those dedicated individuals involved in the care of abandoned animals and to provide the necessary infrastructure and amenities.

Well, indeed, that is good news that the PM and the Minister for the Environment are showing interest in animals, these last few months. Indeed, one hopes that this interest will not wane, if and once they are re-elected to Government. However, when one speaks in earnest, and far away from the media's attention, one soon gets what people behind animal sanctuaries really think about the presente administeration's interest in animals and their welfare! And believe me, these are certainly no armchair critics as you say in your article!

It hurts me to read certain letters claiming that we live in an "animal-unfriendly society". It would be foolish of me to say that there aren't some sick individuals out there who vent their twisted desires on innocent animals. These are the same type of people who are cruel to "weaker" human beings they get the opportunity to interact with.

Oh, does it really hurt you?! Well, gosh! Tough on you, Jeff! Some people really hate listening to the truth. If you think that all is rosy in little Malta with regard to animal welfare, then, pardon me, you seem to be living in some rosy garden, away from the truth and from daily life!

It is vital that, when caught, the relevant authorities deal with them in the severest manner possible in order to send a strong and clear message to this minuscule percentage of perverts who are, unfortunately, to be found all over the world.

So, let's sit on our laurels, simply because, Jeffrey says that it's just a 'miniscule percentage of perverts' - well, at least he calls them that, that's something! - and that 'unfortunately', (these are) to be found all over the world'. Is that enough reason not to call a spade a spade? Hallina.

The above-mentioned petition, the dedication shown by a large number of individuals and associations involved in animal welfare and the support being given by the government is evidence that Malta is far from being "animal-unfriendly".

Again, I disagree, and strongly. It's not signatures that are needed - animals are not going to overcome their problems merely by signatures! It's action we want, and it's actions that's needed!

It is easy for armchair critics to send denigrating letters to the press. One wonders if these individuals do anything concrete to help alleviate the situation some animals find themselves in.

Oh, yes! Very easy for politicians to SCOFF at those who voice opinions that they, the politicians, would rather not hear! Call us armchair critics, then, Jeff. And continue wondering about what such critics are doing in favour of animals.

The Animal Welfare Division of the Department of Education is doing sterling work when it comes to fostering awareness among schoolchildren. I was involved in their work and can vouch for this.

True, but it's still not enough!

Work on the National Animal Welfare Centre at Ta' Qali is expected to start in the coming weeks now that all the relevant permits have been issued by Mepa. Funds for this centre were allocated a few days after the petition I mentioned was presented and it will include boarding kennels, a veterinary clinic and an emergency department. It will also serve as an educational centre. The design, layout and position will allow the necessary extensions to the project in the future. The government will provide two trained personnel to operate a 24-hour animal ambulance service. It is also subsidising the servicing and fuelling of the ambulance.

Beautiful plans - but the government has been so disgustingly helpless these past years with regard to animals, that we, real animal-lovers, will only believe what has been promised when the project becomes a reality! Jeffrey, no Government can possibly BOAST about projects which still have not started. You can only boast on what has been implemented!

We have put our money where our mouth is and allocated €350,000 in direct aid to associations involved in the care of abandoned animals and to fund a nation-wide neutering programme in this year's budget.

Well, Jeffrey decided to describe the monies allocated for animals in Euros - no doubt, to make them appear more high in number than they actually are: LM 160,000 looks less generous than €350,000 - does it not??? Besides, again, Jeffrey may well be wrong again: from what I heard, most of the money is being channeled to neutering, rather than in 'direct aid to associations', which would be better.

The dedication and energy of the voluntary workers involved in this sector, together with the backing they are being given by the government, ...

WHAT BACKING??????????????????

... will go a long way towards alleviating the situation faced by those of our furry friends who find themselves in distress. So much more needs to be done. We'll get there because we're definitely a society which, as a whole, is far from being animal-unfriendly. Quite the opposite! Let's stop putting ourselves down.

WELL! I REST MY CASE! GO BACK TO SLEEP!

Animals ... in Parliament!

These last few days have been of particular interest for animals and for all those who truly have at heart the well-being of animals in Malta and Gozo.

Rarely has there been any discussion about animals and their welfare, in Parliament. Equally rarely has there been any SERIOUS discussion about animals in Malta, come to think of it.

Well, in fact, no DISCUSSION has really taken place last week – just a few MPs, typically at odds with each other, each one trying to gain political mileage with regard to animals, each trying to show himself an expert in animal wellbeing and actually none of them showing to have any inkling as to how to proceed to reduce animal cruelty in Malta and how to help animals in general, as well as those many people who look after them. All this is linked to the Budget of next year, in which, wonder of wonders, a total sum of LM 150,000 have been voted for animals.

While the Opposition spokesman went on record, criticising the Government’s intention to increase dogs’ and cats’ spaying, the Minister for the Environment, whose remit also includes the wellbeing of animals, pronounced himself to be an animal-lover, albeit, he said, that one has to consider the priorities in the country – and by priorities, he referred to the health of the human species living on these islands, and jobs.

Actually, how these two priorities are in conflict with animal wellbeing is beyond me. There is simply no excuse in the world for turning your head the other way in the face of animal cruelty.
Well, I have my own ideas as to what constitutes an animal-friendly Minister, especially one whose remit ALSO includes animal-welfare. Such as:

Visiting animal sanctuaries constantly, away from media cameras and reporters, and thus showing real interest in seeing for himself what is happening in this sphere;

Speaking and discussing with as many volunteers within animal NGOs as possible, welcoming them with open arms at his offices and opening a healthy dialogue in preparation for a sensible Animal Welfare Act for our country;

Pushing, within the Cabinet, for the above-mentioned Animal Welfare Act, but not before having reached a consensus about what should be enforced, with the animal NGOs;

Ensuring that the country has at least one good, efficiently-run animal hospital, with ambulances and all, which would serve as an educational centre – the throbbing heart of animal care – in our country. A centre which is open 24/7 and receives with open arms the stray cats and dogs that are found hurt in our streets.

In the meantime, the Honourable Member of the Opposition who speaks on behalf of animals should explain what credentials he has that makes him speak about animal-welfare in Parliament. He should also explain in detail why he and his Party did not support the Government, with regard to hunting and trapping in Malta and Gozo; instead, his Party took a stance which goes so much against the wellbeing of sentient animals such as birds.

Also, the said Opposition spokesman should explain to the electorate what his Party has in mind, with regard to animal wellbeing – and how much space was dedicated to this in their latest Paper about the Environment, as well as whether they wrote anything of value, in black and white, in said Paper.


Now, a word about the funds that have been voted for animals by the Government in next year’s budget. Even here, I believe that there are ways of understanding the term ‘voting money for animals’.

You see, there are two kinds of people and so, two schools of thought, insofar as animals go. The first kind includes those who consider the presence of animals as a nuisance: as far as these are concerned, the money should be used in order to have less and less animals around for the human being to be cruel with. The second kind, and this includes the undersigned, includes those who are real animal-lovers and who would rather be in the company of animals than in that of fellow human-beings: for these people, money should be used in order to improve the situation of animal wellbeing in our country, and so, eradicate animal cruelty.

Seriously, I do believe that a neutering programme IS important for our local scenario but that alone is not going to solve the problem of stray animals in Malta.

I am totally against the already-decided balance of how the funds are to be allocated. In other words, to have most of the monies channeled towards the neutering programme does not show a serious commitment on the part of the Government to curb animal abuse and cruelty.

In my view, at least half of the monies should be dedicated to the upgrading of sanctuary facilities in our country, as well as helping out, even if in a humble manner, all those people who have a very high number of cats or dogs, or both, in their residences and who help keep such animals away from the cruel Maltese streets.

A portion of the monies should also be channeled towards a sound, meaningful, educational campaign in favour of animals.

But most importantly, animal awareness and its monitoring should no longer be part of any governmental department but the Office of a Commissioner for Animals should be created, together with an enhanced and improved Animal Act.

Only in this way would the Government be showing that it really means business with regard to curbing animal abuse and cruelty in Malta.

One last thought: animal breeders, such as breeders of ‘pedigree’ dogs and cats, should be controlled. These so-called animal-lovers, who are no animal lovers at all but just people who own offspring machines in the form of bitches and female cats – and who make sure that their animals are kept pregnant for most of their lives - should be made to pay taxes for the ‘business’ that they carry out. Obviously, my views are well-known in these pages. I would go even further and ban pedigree breeding altogether – for some years, at least. That way, real animal-lovers would come forth and choose from among the dogs and cats that are homed in the number of sanctuaries that we have in our country.