Well, if you want to get to know what is really the topic, you have to start reading from below ... very far below!
What lessons do we learn from all this?
1. There is no no-kill policy for healthy animals in Malta. Dr Mario Spiteri himself admitted that there is this policy of killing animals - putting to sleep, THEY call it! - in Malta, which, to me at least, is nothing but a short cut to the problem of strays.
Obviously, responsibility for such a policy comes from the Malta Government, particularly the Minister in charge, George Pullicino.
2. We also know, now, that a few animal 'sanctuaries', such as Noah's Ark and Abandoned Animals Association have lost their 'raison d'etre' and are now playing fiddle with that other evil SPCA in agreeing with killing strays!
3. We also learn how polite and professional are some of our civil servants. Public servants such as Dr Mario Spiteri have a far way to go before being able to deal politely with Joe Citizen, who is after all a tax-payer and therefore their 'boss', in a way. But then, Malta is not known to have full democractic credentials!
So, there you have it.
For now!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
TIMESOFMALTA.COM ...
... continued, for good measure!
I immediately contacted the editor, Mr Scicluna. But, obviously, nothing was done about the matter, for, as everyone knows, Times of Malta is prone to protect the establishment and the sacred cows within it.
So, read the following:
Franco Farrugia (1 day, 17 hours ago)
@ Mario Spiteri: It is indeed a pity, and equally disgusting, to make use of this blog in order to hit at someone who took you to task over your own words as reported by a newspaper, where it was reported that you claimed that dogs that are not adopted will be put to sleep. Once again, your words, not mine.
It is disgusting that you chose to make use of this blog for your own ends, rather than to join the chorus of those appealing for more animal-awareness.
Part of your remit should be that of encouraging ALL to join the same boat - that of fighting animal cruelty.
Dr. Mario Spiteri (1 day, 14 hours ago)
Mr. Franco Farrugia I simply replied to your disgusting inferences in this blog.
The Animal Welfare department which I run is not in business to annihilate stray dogs and cats. Quite the opposite, we promote the adoption of strays from Sanctuaries.
I invited you to join us on a typical day's work to learn at first hand experience (rather than from unreliable hearsay) what the real problems about strays are.
Without proper management stray dogs end up being poisoned, killed on the road, form packs and attack other dogs, turn cats into shreds and pulp. This is not to mention the grave public health and safety implications.
Putting dogs to sleep as unsavoury as it is, is the last resort left when Sanctuaries are full. (My bold!) Some might argue why not open more sanctuaries. In reality we could fill these and easily treble the current sanctuary population in six months time. Then it is back to square one!
That is why we run neutering programmes so in the long term there will be less strays around. In due time all dogs would have to be micro-chipped and so strays could be traced to their owners.
Franco Farrugia (1 day, 14 hours ago)
@ Dr Mario Spiteri - You did not first mention that you are the Director of the Animal-welfare Department within the Government.
You claim that you are answering my 'disgusting inferences' in this blog. Quote to me where you find such inferences.
As Animal-welfare officer, you are duty-bound to protect animals. When you adopt a no-kill policy, I will start believing it.
Go on: state whether you are in a position to adopt such a policy.
Dr. Mario Spiteri (1 day, 3 hours ago)
Still to be the odd one out you persist in your logic that in reality ALL stray dogs can be homed or put in sanctuaries! Really wish we could live in a perfect world! Well who wouldn't??
I have no time to waste with idealistic armchair critics living in fairy land... so please indulge and have the last word!
I immediately contacted the editor, Mr Scicluna. But, obviously, nothing was done about the matter, for, as everyone knows, Times of Malta is prone to protect the establishment and the sacred cows within it.
So, read the following:
Franco Farrugia (1 day, 17 hours ago)
@ Mario Spiteri: It is indeed a pity, and equally disgusting, to make use of this blog in order to hit at someone who took you to task over your own words as reported by a newspaper, where it was reported that you claimed that dogs that are not adopted will be put to sleep. Once again, your words, not mine.
It is disgusting that you chose to make use of this blog for your own ends, rather than to join the chorus of those appealing for more animal-awareness.
Part of your remit should be that of encouraging ALL to join the same boat - that of fighting animal cruelty.
Dr. Mario Spiteri (1 day, 14 hours ago)
Mr. Franco Farrugia I simply replied to your disgusting inferences in this blog.
The Animal Welfare department which I run is not in business to annihilate stray dogs and cats. Quite the opposite, we promote the adoption of strays from Sanctuaries.
I invited you to join us on a typical day's work to learn at first hand experience (rather than from unreliable hearsay) what the real problems about strays are.
Without proper management stray dogs end up being poisoned, killed on the road, form packs and attack other dogs, turn cats into shreds and pulp. This is not to mention the grave public health and safety implications.
Putting dogs to sleep as unsavoury as it is, is the last resort left when Sanctuaries are full. (My bold!) Some might argue why not open more sanctuaries. In reality we could fill these and easily treble the current sanctuary population in six months time. Then it is back to square one!
That is why we run neutering programmes so in the long term there will be less strays around. In due time all dogs would have to be micro-chipped and so strays could be traced to their owners.
Franco Farrugia (1 day, 14 hours ago)
@ Dr Mario Spiteri - You did not first mention that you are the Director of the Animal-welfare Department within the Government.
You claim that you are answering my 'disgusting inferences' in this blog. Quote to me where you find such inferences.
As Animal-welfare officer, you are duty-bound to protect animals. When you adopt a no-kill policy, I will start believing it.
Go on: state whether you are in a position to adopt such a policy.
Dr. Mario Spiteri (1 day, 3 hours ago)
Still to be the odd one out you persist in your logic that in reality ALL stray dogs can be homed or put in sanctuaries! Really wish we could live in a perfect world! Well who wouldn't??
I have no time to waste with idealistic armchair critics living in fairy land... so please indulge and have the last word!
TIMESOFMALTA.COM
MARIO SPITERI WAS NOT CONTENT WITH THIS.
HE WANTED TO TARNISH MY REPUTATION AND CALL ME NAMES.
A PUBLIC OFFICIAL, TREATING A CITIZEN IN THIS MANNER.
HE USED TIMESOFMALTA.COM FOR HIS PERSONAL VENDETTA, AS IT WERE.
BUT LET ME START FROM THE BEGINNING:
Starved, dead dogs found in derelict building
Three puppies were rescued from starvation after they were abandoned in a former lepers' hospital in Għargħur that had become a dog cemetery, littered with carcasses and rotting body parts.
Abandoned Animals Association president Freddie Fenech said he received an anonymous tip-off on Tuesday evening, alerting him about the place. He called the police who accompanied him on site. When they arrived, they could barely take in the sight: carcasses and skeletons of dogs scattered here and there.
In certain parts the stench was unbearable. The 20-roomed barrack-like complex is derelict, with rubbish lying everywhere. Whoever was responsible for leaving the dogs there was not around during the raid.
There were the remains of at least five dogs but it cannot be said for certain because some of the body parts found scattered could have come from different animals.
There was even the bloated body of a dog which had died very recently.
Inside, they found three lonely pups, about three months old, hidden under a cupboard. They were scared and it took them a while until they ventured out from their hiding place, even after Mr Fenech offered some food in a plate he had brought with him. They would be vaccinated and flown to Germany, Mr Fenech said.
THIS NEWS ITEM BROUGHT ABOUT VARIOUS BLOG COMMENTS, INCLUDING, OF COURSE, MINE.
MY OWN COMMENTS WERE THE FOLLOWING:
Franco Farrugia (5 days ago)
'Flown to Germany'.
Why?
Is it because we, in Malta, do not have the heart to look after our own? Nobody says anything about this. We speak about our Independence; we speak about how the EU is presumably taking away our Independence, and then, when it comes to looking after three poor puppies, we LOOK THE OTHER WAY and let the foreigners do the DIRTY WORK FOR US.
We are only there to act as the machos, to victimise poor animals that have absolutely no fault! Animals that are vulnerable, animals that are simply the victims of man's stubbornness and egoism - man's savagery!
Shall we pat ourselves on the shoulders and continue looking the other way? Is it possible, in a country where everyone knows everything about everybody else, that nobody knows who the responsible people are? Or are they some kind of local untouchables?
And what, I ask, is the Government and the authorities doing about this? What does the Minister responsible for Animal Welfare thinking about this? And his representatives in the Animal Welfare department-of-sorts? Are they too, looking the other way?
Disgusting!
Franco Farrugia (4 days, 21 hours ago)
@ Mr R Azzopardi: "Germans are real animal lovers who do not buy a pet just because it has a pedigree."
I totally agree with you, sir. I have been gently advocating against buying animals, whether they are pedigree or not. To me - and I know that many will not agree with me - buying a pure breed animal is tantamount to not only wasting money but also to indirect cruelty to animals.
You buy an animal from the breeder and you are encouraging said breeder to push his 'pet' to breed more puppies or kittens!!! Not only that, but it is not the first time that breeders killed imperfect pups or kittens because they were unsaleable!!! Obviously, this is not always the case.
And furthermore, when you are buying a pure breed, you are also not buying a non-pure breed which you could easily get for nothing from our full sanctuaries, thereby making it possible for another stray to be admitted into the sanctuary.
In my opinion, breeders are businessmen, not animal-lovers!
And as for 'owners' of pure-breeds, it all amounts to social status. Like owning an expensive car instead of an average one.
Bullet-proof vest on!
Franco Farrugia (4 days, 20 hours ago)
@ Ms S Zarb Adami. No, indeed I am not in the least impressed. Loving animals entails that we go out of our way and help and protect also those animals that are vulnerable, that is, those animals that have no roof over their heads, no human beings to call their 'masters' and that, in short, are strays. By limiting one's love to one's pet is not enough!
And by 'animals', I am here referring to all animals, birds included. For in my opinion, it is equally disgustingly cruel to confine birds to cages, or even put an end to their natural life simply because we claim, falsely, that it is our 'sport' or 'passatemp'.
But that is not, for the moment, the focus of my attention in this blog.
Franco Farrugia (4 days, 19 hours ago)
@ M. Hermsee, Indeed, that is just it. We, the Maltese, still feel that the foreigner is there to bail us out, in everything.
At the same time, we don't want said foreigners to interfere in our internal affairs. We want the cake and eat it, too. We want the status quo, we have our own sacred cows, we have our royal family or families, we even sanctify some people who we tend to turn into an untouchable establishment.
AND NOW, READ THIS:
Mario Spiteri (2 days ago)
DISGUSTING INDEED! Whoever left those poor puppies and all those who are trying to use this incident for their their own advantage/benefit are just as disgusting.
Some 'animal lovers' want the stray dog/cat poulation to serve the purpose of scavengers and live on cockroaches, mice and rats!!!! while others indulge in just words and more empty words when not tackling jealous 'teacher bashers' !!!(*)
Imagine what benefit the stray dog/cat population would derive if more genuine volunteers were involved in DEEDS and not words!
Pointing the accusing finger is easy and some with their own hidden private agenda just vent their spleen in such a way!!!
There is nothing glamorous in safeguarding animal rights but just hard and never ending work.
(*) This is a reference to another argument I have about teachers - since I am a teacher - letters of which appear in the same newspaper, TMI. Obviously, Mario Spiteri has no respect for people's privacy, as can be seen!
AND NOW FOR THAT SECOND LETTER...
... BROUGHT ON BY MARIO SPITERI'S FRIEND, FABIO FROM NOAH'S ARK. FABIO PREPARED THE LETTER AND CONTACTED THE MANAGERS OF THE OTHER SANCTUARIES TO JUST SIGN IT, RATHER THAN DISCUSS IT.
OF COURSE, THERE WERE SOME WHO AGREED WITH WHAT I WAS SAYING AND THEY REFUSED TO JUST 'SIGN'!
AND SO, THE LETTER BELOW WAS SIGNED BY:
NOAH'S ARK, OF COURSE
ABANDONED ANIMALS ASSOCIATION - NOT FREDDIE FENECH!
SPCA MALTA, OF COURSE! WHO DARES SEND STRAYS TO THEM ANYMORE? IT WAS IN THE NEWS TWO YEARS AGO: SO MANY CARCASSES ARRIVING FROM SPCA QUARTERS IN FLORIANA TO WASTESERV, USING SPCA VAN??? HMM .. HMMM!
SPCA GOZO - STRANGELY ENOUGH.
The following is the letter of these defenders of animals:
Working with animals
The appointment by the government of a Director of Animal Welfare Promotion and Services last year was a breath of fresh air. Particularly so for animal welfare NGOs, especially when a person with such a positive track record as Mario Spiteri was given the post.
We all know that enforcing animal welfare is a thankless job. Those who work “hands on” experience distressing situations every day. Ever since Dr Spiteri took office it was immediately evident that the tides were changing. We will not list the achievements in animal welfare during the past year, most of which have been implemented by the present Directorate of Animal Welfare. The ones that stand out are the massive neutering programme that was carried out in 2008 and the government financial assistance towards upgrading sanctuaries to acceptable standards.
Dr Spiteri’s comments on euthanasia of strays that do not find shelter (TMID, 11 March), be it in sanctuaries or private homes, may have raised eyebrows. His was an appeal to help eliminate this system. Culling by euthanasia of the canine population is a practice carried out all over Europe, where hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats are abandoned each year. This is also done here by private individuals, either at their own hands (drowning, dumping, etc.) or with the assistance of vets. It is not the general practice of the undersigned to put healthy animals to sleep. Dogs are removed from the streets when they become a danger to themselves, the public or other dogs. Stray dogs that join together as “packs” are a known hazard to the public, as has been proved again only recently in Sicily.
The sole purpose of setting up sanctuaries or shelters is to save the lives of as many dogs and cats as possible. But it is clearly evident that no matter how much space is made available in our sanctuaries we are losing the battle to accommodate all the animals that are being thrown out. The remaining choice is to let them roam the streets at risk of starvation, injury from motor vehicles and disease.
Dr Spiteri is right to appeal for sanctuary dogs to be adopted. Too few are being adopted locally and we can only make additional space in our sanctuaries by sending dogs for adoption overseas. Our members have had opportunity to assist Dr Spiteri in responding to some of the numerous reports he receives of animals in distress, even in the middle of the night.
The undersigned animal sanctuaries applaud Dr Spiteri for his sincerity in facing this mammoth problem and we stand four square behind him in his realistic comments. The animal welfare NGOs who work unselfishly to shelter abandoned dogs are finally able to work hand in hand with the government authorities.
Your readers can be assured that a number of measures are in the pipeline to improve the fate of dogs in the near future; some of these measures will hopefully also facilitate law enforcement.
Abandoned Animals Association
Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary
SPCA
Gozo SPCA
OF COURSE, THERE WERE SOME WHO AGREED WITH WHAT I WAS SAYING AND THEY REFUSED TO JUST 'SIGN'!
AND SO, THE LETTER BELOW WAS SIGNED BY:
NOAH'S ARK, OF COURSE
ABANDONED ANIMALS ASSOCIATION - NOT FREDDIE FENECH!
SPCA MALTA, OF COURSE! WHO DARES SEND STRAYS TO THEM ANYMORE? IT WAS IN THE NEWS TWO YEARS AGO: SO MANY CARCASSES ARRIVING FROM SPCA QUARTERS IN FLORIANA TO WASTESERV, USING SPCA VAN??? HMM .. HMMM!
SPCA GOZO - STRANGELY ENOUGH.
The following is the letter of these defenders of animals:
Working with animals
The appointment by the government of a Director of Animal Welfare Promotion and Services last year was a breath of fresh air. Particularly so for animal welfare NGOs, especially when a person with such a positive track record as Mario Spiteri was given the post.
We all know that enforcing animal welfare is a thankless job. Those who work “hands on” experience distressing situations every day. Ever since Dr Spiteri took office it was immediately evident that the tides were changing. We will not list the achievements in animal welfare during the past year, most of which have been implemented by the present Directorate of Animal Welfare. The ones that stand out are the massive neutering programme that was carried out in 2008 and the government financial assistance towards upgrading sanctuaries to acceptable standards.
Dr Spiteri’s comments on euthanasia of strays that do not find shelter (TMID, 11 March), be it in sanctuaries or private homes, may have raised eyebrows. His was an appeal to help eliminate this system. Culling by euthanasia of the canine population is a practice carried out all over Europe, where hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats are abandoned each year. This is also done here by private individuals, either at their own hands (drowning, dumping, etc.) or with the assistance of vets. It is not the general practice of the undersigned to put healthy animals to sleep. Dogs are removed from the streets when they become a danger to themselves, the public or other dogs. Stray dogs that join together as “packs” are a known hazard to the public, as has been proved again only recently in Sicily.
The sole purpose of setting up sanctuaries or shelters is to save the lives of as many dogs and cats as possible. But it is clearly evident that no matter how much space is made available in our sanctuaries we are losing the battle to accommodate all the animals that are being thrown out. The remaining choice is to let them roam the streets at risk of starvation, injury from motor vehicles and disease.
Dr Spiteri is right to appeal for sanctuary dogs to be adopted. Too few are being adopted locally and we can only make additional space in our sanctuaries by sending dogs for adoption overseas. Our members have had opportunity to assist Dr Spiteri in responding to some of the numerous reports he receives of animals in distress, even in the middle of the night.
The undersigned animal sanctuaries applaud Dr Spiteri for his sincerity in facing this mammoth problem and we stand four square behind him in his realistic comments. The animal welfare NGOs who work unselfishly to shelter abandoned dogs are finally able to work hand in hand with the government authorities.
Your readers can be assured that a number of measures are in the pipeline to improve the fate of dogs in the near future; some of these measures will hopefully also facilitate law enforcement.
Abandoned Animals Association
Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary
SPCA
Gozo SPCA
BRING IN THE THUGS!
AND WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
MARIO SPITERI, THE MAN WHOSE REMIT IT IS TO PROTECT AND WATCH OVER ANIMALS IN MALTA AND GOZO, BRINGS IN REINFORCEMENTS!
AN INTERESTING THING APPEARS IN THE LETTERS SECTION OF THE MALTA INDEPENDENT. SATURDAY, 28TH MARCH: TWO LETTERS ABOUT ANIMAL-WELFARE, NO LESS! ONE, WRITTEN BY MARIO SPITERI AND ANOTHER ONE, BY THE REINFORCEMENTS.
LET'S START BY SPITERI'S LETTER:
Taking care of stray dogs
by Dr Mario Spiteri
The stray dogs issue has many facets. I will explain without sensationalising.
In Malta there are several dog sanctuaries full to their maximum capacity. These dogs are very well cared for by dedicated volunteers and when dogs are adopted locally or from abroad vacancies arise and other dogs abandoned on the street can be taken in. The current resident dog population in these centres is around 500.
Those officially registered NGOs that run these sanctuaries rely heavily on public and government donations to be able to feed and care for these dogs. There are also some individuals who care for dogs privately and at times end up becoming a nuisance to neighbours as a result of the continuous barking of dogs. The official stray dog population is very difficult to calculate accurately because of their mobility but from observation studies I have carried out in various localities such as Maghtab, Bahar ic-Caghaq, Pembroke, Swieqi, Naxxar, Birguma and Salina a conservative estimate would be around 300.
Dogs born in the wild in areas where food is available, such as farms, are very self reliant in order to survive. Packs are formed to facilitate hunting often led by a dominant alpha male or female and the wild wolf instinct takes over. Abandoned dogs may end up being killed or else subjudicated in these packs. Dogs that are irresponsibly allowed by their owners to roam freely at night or those that come and leave as they please from open “sanctuaries” also form packs and they literally tear to pieces all the cats and sometimes even weaker pet dogs. While stray cats’ colonies, if properly controlled by neutering and well managed in suitable areas, can be no problem the same cannot be said for dogs. Contrary to what C. Micallef asserted (TMID 20 March) surely as decent animal lovers we are not expected to condone stray dogs and cats to eat “cockroaches, mice and rats and scavenge our refuse as sharks”!
The Department for Animal Welfare Promotion and Services was first established in February 2008. I now have a small team of dedicated staff and we follow up all public reports and together with the ALE Police we investigate all sorts of complaints related to animal cruelty also involving farm animals.
Unfortunately the typical time wasting complaints about “dog left on the roof or dog barking all night” are often a thinly veiled excuse to force a neighbour to get rid of the dog as a result of some spiteful action or other as we often discover that the dog in question is well fed and provided with shelter. As the old adage goes “love me love my dog” the converse is equally true for some of these complainants!
Last year we embarked on a national neutering campaign and over e174,000 were spent to neuter some 1,500 stray and sanctuaries’ dogs and cats. Some workplaces such as those in industrial areas such as Corradino, Marsa and Bulebel have adopted dogs. These are well cared for and fed by the staff and many of these dogs were neutered in our campaign. Incidents unfortunately do happen and we regularly investigate reports about ferocious dogs biting cyclists or joggers.
People who have a phobia of dogs because of some experience are difficult to convince and a dog approaching them on a trot with tail wagging is still perceived as aggressive. This year the neutering service will once again be offered and in fact a tender was issued this month for the attention of interested parties, such as private veterinary practices.
However real attacks do happen and when a police report is filed with a medical certificate of the injury sustained by the person we are compelled to act quickly and with the use of a dart gun the responsible dog is caught. Numerous complaints about dogs butchering cats alive are investigated regularly and if we truly believe in animal welfare and not just pay lip service to the cause, the stray dog population has to be kept under strict control.
If we simply just provide more space in sanctuaries we would be simply fooling ourselves since the source of stray dogs would still be intact and I am sure that if we have three times as many sanctuaries as there are now we would soon be having the same problems within months. If the expense of feeding the current resident dog population is high how can we cope with three times the number of dogs and more? These dogs need exercise and sufficient space is essential otherwise they would maul each other to death. Ms Catania (TMID, 19 March) is shocked by the truth. I have seen dogs literally eating each other at a makeshift sanctuary or shall I say death house in Sliema where a whole pack of dogs was crammed in the house to be saved from being put down! The photographs taken of some of these “dog lovers” havens are available for all those who want to see the atrocious conditions where bits and pieces of decomposing body parts from cats and dogs are evident.
The way forward was shown last year when e175,000 were made available to NGOs for Animal Welfare initiatives, such as upgrading of current facilities in sanctuaries. Joint ventures between NGOs and government are currently being studied so that the problem of stray dogs is better tackled.
Regarding the Ta’ Qali Animal After Care Centre the construction works will be finished in a few months’ time. The aim of this building is to provide immediate veterinary assistance to stray cats and dogs. This building will be one of the first of its kind in Malta where the design is such as to blend in nicely with the environment. For public information the exact whereabouts of the centre for those who frequent Ta’ Qali is just across the road from where the Sunday market is held. The public will also benefit by having a more accessible 24-hour emergency veterinary service for their pets and pet owners who are not able to provide aftercare to their recuperating pets will be able to avail themselves of the services at the Ta’ Qali Centre.
What remains is the urgent need for all NGOs working for the welfare of animals to form an effective coalition and pool in resources. Currently the Dogs’ Act is being discussed by the Animal Welfare Council and when the new legislation comes into force a wider and more comprehensive control of dogs would be possible covering diverse areas such as breeders, sanctuaries, boarding kennels and most importantly of all compulsory micro-chipping of all dogs. This would help curtail the abandoning of dogs since their owners would be easily traced and prosecuted. With proper enforcement of this legislation dog hoarding, which at times is extremely cruel, would become illegal and those sick people involved who sometimes even require psychiatric help would be barred from keeping dogs.
Accusations that animal welfare is not being tackled seriously are grossly unfair to say the least. If coming from misinformed sources one can only hope that in the future information will be sought first before resorting to blatant accusations of negligence and broken promises. Malicious sources have their own way of spreading lies, especially in the current situation where all can become “dog lovers” overnight and collect funds from the gullible public that thinks that the dogs would truly benefit from their donations. On my books these rank equally with those who organise dog fighting. Both are equally despicable since both make money thanks to the misery and cruelty suffered by their dogs! The media should insist on full financial accountability before wholeheartedly and very naively championing the cause of some individual or other purporting to take care of the dogs. Rumours spread like wild fire on the grape vine and yet no investigative journalist dares to delve deep into this matter!
Dr Mario Spiteri
MARIO SPITERI, THE MAN WHOSE REMIT IT IS TO PROTECT AND WATCH OVER ANIMALS IN MALTA AND GOZO, BRINGS IN REINFORCEMENTS!
AN INTERESTING THING APPEARS IN THE LETTERS SECTION OF THE MALTA INDEPENDENT. SATURDAY, 28TH MARCH: TWO LETTERS ABOUT ANIMAL-WELFARE, NO LESS! ONE, WRITTEN BY MARIO SPITERI AND ANOTHER ONE, BY THE REINFORCEMENTS.
LET'S START BY SPITERI'S LETTER:
Taking care of stray dogs
by Dr Mario Spiteri
The stray dogs issue has many facets. I will explain without sensationalising.
In Malta there are several dog sanctuaries full to their maximum capacity. These dogs are very well cared for by dedicated volunteers and when dogs are adopted locally or from abroad vacancies arise and other dogs abandoned on the street can be taken in. The current resident dog population in these centres is around 500.
Those officially registered NGOs that run these sanctuaries rely heavily on public and government donations to be able to feed and care for these dogs. There are also some individuals who care for dogs privately and at times end up becoming a nuisance to neighbours as a result of the continuous barking of dogs. The official stray dog population is very difficult to calculate accurately because of their mobility but from observation studies I have carried out in various localities such as Maghtab, Bahar ic-Caghaq, Pembroke, Swieqi, Naxxar, Birguma and Salina a conservative estimate would be around 300.
Dogs born in the wild in areas where food is available, such as farms, are very self reliant in order to survive. Packs are formed to facilitate hunting often led by a dominant alpha male or female and the wild wolf instinct takes over. Abandoned dogs may end up being killed or else subjudicated in these packs. Dogs that are irresponsibly allowed by their owners to roam freely at night or those that come and leave as they please from open “sanctuaries” also form packs and they literally tear to pieces all the cats and sometimes even weaker pet dogs. While stray cats’ colonies, if properly controlled by neutering and well managed in suitable areas, can be no problem the same cannot be said for dogs. Contrary to what C. Micallef asserted (TMID 20 March) surely as decent animal lovers we are not expected to condone stray dogs and cats to eat “cockroaches, mice and rats and scavenge our refuse as sharks”!
The Department for Animal Welfare Promotion and Services was first established in February 2008. I now have a small team of dedicated staff and we follow up all public reports and together with the ALE Police we investigate all sorts of complaints related to animal cruelty also involving farm animals.
Unfortunately the typical time wasting complaints about “dog left on the roof or dog barking all night” are often a thinly veiled excuse to force a neighbour to get rid of the dog as a result of some spiteful action or other as we often discover that the dog in question is well fed and provided with shelter. As the old adage goes “love me love my dog” the converse is equally true for some of these complainants!
Last year we embarked on a national neutering campaign and over e174,000 were spent to neuter some 1,500 stray and sanctuaries’ dogs and cats. Some workplaces such as those in industrial areas such as Corradino, Marsa and Bulebel have adopted dogs. These are well cared for and fed by the staff and many of these dogs were neutered in our campaign. Incidents unfortunately do happen and we regularly investigate reports about ferocious dogs biting cyclists or joggers.
People who have a phobia of dogs because of some experience are difficult to convince and a dog approaching them on a trot with tail wagging is still perceived as aggressive. This year the neutering service will once again be offered and in fact a tender was issued this month for the attention of interested parties, such as private veterinary practices.
However real attacks do happen and when a police report is filed with a medical certificate of the injury sustained by the person we are compelled to act quickly and with the use of a dart gun the responsible dog is caught. Numerous complaints about dogs butchering cats alive are investigated regularly and if we truly believe in animal welfare and not just pay lip service to the cause, the stray dog population has to be kept under strict control.
If we simply just provide more space in sanctuaries we would be simply fooling ourselves since the source of stray dogs would still be intact and I am sure that if we have three times as many sanctuaries as there are now we would soon be having the same problems within months. If the expense of feeding the current resident dog population is high how can we cope with three times the number of dogs and more? These dogs need exercise and sufficient space is essential otherwise they would maul each other to death. Ms Catania (TMID, 19 March) is shocked by the truth. I have seen dogs literally eating each other at a makeshift sanctuary or shall I say death house in Sliema where a whole pack of dogs was crammed in the house to be saved from being put down! The photographs taken of some of these “dog lovers” havens are available for all those who want to see the atrocious conditions where bits and pieces of decomposing body parts from cats and dogs are evident.
The way forward was shown last year when e175,000 were made available to NGOs for Animal Welfare initiatives, such as upgrading of current facilities in sanctuaries. Joint ventures between NGOs and government are currently being studied so that the problem of stray dogs is better tackled.
Regarding the Ta’ Qali Animal After Care Centre the construction works will be finished in a few months’ time. The aim of this building is to provide immediate veterinary assistance to stray cats and dogs. This building will be one of the first of its kind in Malta where the design is such as to blend in nicely with the environment. For public information the exact whereabouts of the centre for those who frequent Ta’ Qali is just across the road from where the Sunday market is held. The public will also benefit by having a more accessible 24-hour emergency veterinary service for their pets and pet owners who are not able to provide aftercare to their recuperating pets will be able to avail themselves of the services at the Ta’ Qali Centre.
What remains is the urgent need for all NGOs working for the welfare of animals to form an effective coalition and pool in resources. Currently the Dogs’ Act is being discussed by the Animal Welfare Council and when the new legislation comes into force a wider and more comprehensive control of dogs would be possible covering diverse areas such as breeders, sanctuaries, boarding kennels and most importantly of all compulsory micro-chipping of all dogs. This would help curtail the abandoning of dogs since their owners would be easily traced and prosecuted. With proper enforcement of this legislation dog hoarding, which at times is extremely cruel, would become illegal and those sick people involved who sometimes even require psychiatric help would be barred from keeping dogs.
Accusations that animal welfare is not being tackled seriously are grossly unfair to say the least. If coming from misinformed sources one can only hope that in the future information will be sought first before resorting to blatant accusations of negligence and broken promises. Malicious sources have their own way of spreading lies, especially in the current situation where all can become “dog lovers” overnight and collect funds from the gullible public that thinks that the dogs would truly benefit from their donations. On my books these rank equally with those who organise dog fighting. Both are equally despicable since both make money thanks to the misery and cruelty suffered by their dogs! The media should insist on full financial accountability before wholeheartedly and very naively championing the cause of some individual or other purporting to take care of the dogs. Rumours spread like wild fire on the grape vine and yet no investigative journalist dares to delve deep into this matter!
Dr Mario Spiteri
ONCE AGAIN, I, THE ARMCHAIR CRITIC, ...
HAD TO ANSWER:
Dr Spiteri’s reply on animal welfare.
That Dr Mario Spiteri is ‘not at all appalled’ by what I wrote in my article (TMID, 13 March), speaks volumes about how he is running ‘his’ department. I would have been, had I been in his shoes.
It is really ironic that Mario Spiteri chooses to call me ‘an armchair critic’ (TMID, 16 March, 2009). A veterinarian surgeon based in B’Kara, as well as Mr Freddie Fenech, along with an infinite number of friends and acquaintances can vouch for my stance in favour of animal welfare in Malta and in Gozo. At least, I ‘work’ among animals not because it is my job or because I am paid to do it, but because I really love animals and if Mario Spiteri still thinks that I am not ‘genuine’ and ‘true’, then, he is really at a loss as to what constitutes a true animal-lover.
I have no intention of wasting newspaper space and enter into personal tit-for-tats with Dr Spiteri – but it is my duty to criticise his words that he reputedly said and which were absolutely not ‘warped unnecessarily’ as he would have us believe. He said that unless those dogs are adopted, they would be put down. I don’t think there is anything to warp about such plain language, is there? Enough warping as it is.
Dr Spiteri has to recognise the immense responsibility he has. What he says about animals counts much more than what I or indeed any other Tom, Dick and Harry has to say about the same, for the simple reason that he happens to be the Director of Animal Welfare. It is for this reason that around eight people, all hailing from four different animal sanctuaries, contacted me to inform me of what he said, how he said it, and to show me their disgust.
Nor is it the first time that said sanctuaries were threatened that, unless they accepted stray dogs, these would be put down.
‘Tackling the stray dog situation is no easy task.’ I agree. So, what has been done and is being done to try and reduce the problem? Killing the dogs in question is no answer, unless said dogs are absolutely dangerous or ill.
True, dogs can become dangerous, especially if they unite in packs. Only yesterday, on the Italian news, I heard about a ten-year old child who was mauled to death by a savage pack of dogs. However, two points arise from this: firstly, as Dr Spiteri rightly says, ‘the villain in this scenario is none other than that irresponsible owner …’. What is therefore being done to have a proper Animal Welfare Act which would bring out of their hides these criminals who think nothing about abandoning their cat or dog out in the streets? Secondly, is it the animal’s fault if its basic instinct takes over completely in such situations?
‘New animal welfare initiatives’ have been mentioned. Perhaps Dr Spiteri can mention a few.
I do not understand what Dr Spiteri means by ‘personifying animals’. If he refers to the fact that many of us, animal-lovers do not want to harm animals IN ANY WAY, and give them as much dignity as is shown to the human being, then, yes, Dr Spiteri is free to call me, for one, ‘insane’, even if I do not agree with him – it is his opinion.
I am sorry to have to note that even in his letter, Spiteri does not come down to me as a real animal-lover. He is the one who should be ‘insane’ for animals! His role as Director of Animal Welfare requires of him to stand up for animals, come what may. He is their lawyer, their protector, their defender, their protégé. If he does not wear such a hat, who will?
But to take on that role, you have to be a true animal-lover yourself.
Concluding, animal awareness is a very tricky business, and a very sensitive one. Animal Welfare should be completely separate from any Government department, if it is to be run properly.
Franco Farrugia
Dr Spiteri’s reply on animal welfare.
That Dr Mario Spiteri is ‘not at all appalled’ by what I wrote in my article (TMID, 13 March), speaks volumes about how he is running ‘his’ department. I would have been, had I been in his shoes.
It is really ironic that Mario Spiteri chooses to call me ‘an armchair critic’ (TMID, 16 March, 2009). A veterinarian surgeon based in B’Kara, as well as Mr Freddie Fenech, along with an infinite number of friends and acquaintances can vouch for my stance in favour of animal welfare in Malta and in Gozo. At least, I ‘work’ among animals not because it is my job or because I am paid to do it, but because I really love animals and if Mario Spiteri still thinks that I am not ‘genuine’ and ‘true’, then, he is really at a loss as to what constitutes a true animal-lover.
I have no intention of wasting newspaper space and enter into personal tit-for-tats with Dr Spiteri – but it is my duty to criticise his words that he reputedly said and which were absolutely not ‘warped unnecessarily’ as he would have us believe. He said that unless those dogs are adopted, they would be put down. I don’t think there is anything to warp about such plain language, is there? Enough warping as it is.
Dr Spiteri has to recognise the immense responsibility he has. What he says about animals counts much more than what I or indeed any other Tom, Dick and Harry has to say about the same, for the simple reason that he happens to be the Director of Animal Welfare. It is for this reason that around eight people, all hailing from four different animal sanctuaries, contacted me to inform me of what he said, how he said it, and to show me their disgust.
Nor is it the first time that said sanctuaries were threatened that, unless they accepted stray dogs, these would be put down.
‘Tackling the stray dog situation is no easy task.’ I agree. So, what has been done and is being done to try and reduce the problem? Killing the dogs in question is no answer, unless said dogs are absolutely dangerous or ill.
True, dogs can become dangerous, especially if they unite in packs. Only yesterday, on the Italian news, I heard about a ten-year old child who was mauled to death by a savage pack of dogs. However, two points arise from this: firstly, as Dr Spiteri rightly says, ‘the villain in this scenario is none other than that irresponsible owner …’. What is therefore being done to have a proper Animal Welfare Act which would bring out of their hides these criminals who think nothing about abandoning their cat or dog out in the streets? Secondly, is it the animal’s fault if its basic instinct takes over completely in such situations?
‘New animal welfare initiatives’ have been mentioned. Perhaps Dr Spiteri can mention a few.
I do not understand what Dr Spiteri means by ‘personifying animals’. If he refers to the fact that many of us, animal-lovers do not want to harm animals IN ANY WAY, and give them as much dignity as is shown to the human being, then, yes, Dr Spiteri is free to call me, for one, ‘insane’, even if I do not agree with him – it is his opinion.
I am sorry to have to note that even in his letter, Spiteri does not come down to me as a real animal-lover. He is the one who should be ‘insane’ for animals! His role as Director of Animal Welfare requires of him to stand up for animals, come what may. He is their lawyer, their protector, their defender, their protégé. If he does not wear such a hat, who will?
But to take on that role, you have to be a true animal-lover yourself.
Concluding, animal awareness is a very tricky business, and a very sensitive one. Animal Welfare should be completely separate from any Government department, if it is to be run properly.
Franco Farrugia
OF COURSE, HE ANSWERED ...
... WHY NOT? AND PLEASE NOTE THE TONE OR ARROGANCE, WHICH EXISTS WITH MOST OF OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHEN HONEST, LAW-ABIDING, TAX-PAYING CITIZENS CALL THEM TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF THEMSELVES!
Stray dogs
by Dr Mario Spiteri
I am not at all appalled by what armchair critics like Franco Farrugia have to say (TMID, 13 March) regarding the current stray dog situation in sanctuaries.
After more than a year of direct involvement with animal sanctuaries and dealing with animal welfare issues in my new role as Director for Animal Welfare Promotion I can state the facts from first hand information.
I am sure many genuine people have often felt disappointed when they turn up at the gates of some properly run dog sanctuary to hand in an abandoned dog only to be told that the sanctuary is full! My public appeal to seriously consider adopting animals from sanctuaries (TMID, 11 March) which was warped unnecessarily by Franco Farrugia (TMID 13 March), was made precisely to ease the heavy burden on sanctuaries.
The villain in this scenario is none other than that irresponsible dog/cat owner that dumps out his/her former pet very unceremoniously. For some people pets are like clothing and once the fashion goes out they are discarded away.
Tackling the stray dog situation is no easy task. My department, consisting of a team of very dedicated officers, is literally mobbed with requests from the public regarding the cats’ and other pets’ mutilations brought about by packs of stray and often uncared for and (irresponsibly) owned dogs that run amok in numerous localities in Malta.
Recently, in Swatar area there were instances where joggers or bikers were attacked.
An over-population of stray dogs and cats can also have serious adverse public health affects.
As a long term measure the department last year embarked on a national stray dog/cat neutering programme.
More than 1,500 animals were neutered at a cost of e174,000 paid in full by the department.
All sanctuaries that are registered as NGOs benefited directly from this scheme since they were paid for providing the aftercare services to the neutered animals.
Ten animal welfare organisations that are duly registered as NGOs and as such have a statute and keep audited accounts of all donations received and the expenditure incurred benefited from more than e175,000 as financial assistance.
This was given by the government specifically to improve further the operation or to launch new animal welfare initiatives.
Mr Farrugia in all his wisdom considers all this as ‘hogwash’!
However, I am willing to offer him the opportunity to join our department for a couple of days and so he can experience the true situation and then can compile a full unbiased report for your readers.
There are pseudo-animal lovers who use animals literally for their benefit or financial gain. These prey upon the unwary public who are blackmailed into giving donations to relieve the misery of abandoned animals. There are others who go to the very extreme and personify animals to the point that it becomes ridiculous if not outright insane.
I have met dog hoarders who truly and madly will rather starve themselves than see their dogs without food.
At times these keep some 50 or even more dogs in very restricted space to the detriment of neighbours and given the opportunity they keep on ‘packing’ animals like sardines even in derelict buildings or government property.
In these very dismal conditions we have often witnessed sick dogs kept in horrific conditions that putting them to sleep would be the only decent and humane option left and yet their still ‘carers’ think they are saving. In some extreme situations these dogs end up mauling each other to death.
Regarding the Animal Aftercare Centre at Ta’ Qali contrary to Mr Farrugia’s disbelief, the building is near completion and in time will function as intended for the benefit of all animals needing assistance and true animal lovers’ peace of mind.
Dr Mario Spiteri
Director
Animal Welfare Promotion
and Services
Civil Abattoir
Marsa
Stray dogs
by Dr Mario Spiteri
I am not at all appalled by what armchair critics like Franco Farrugia have to say (TMID, 13 March) regarding the current stray dog situation in sanctuaries.
After more than a year of direct involvement with animal sanctuaries and dealing with animal welfare issues in my new role as Director for Animal Welfare Promotion I can state the facts from first hand information.
I am sure many genuine people have often felt disappointed when they turn up at the gates of some properly run dog sanctuary to hand in an abandoned dog only to be told that the sanctuary is full! My public appeal to seriously consider adopting animals from sanctuaries (TMID, 11 March) which was warped unnecessarily by Franco Farrugia (TMID 13 March), was made precisely to ease the heavy burden on sanctuaries.
The villain in this scenario is none other than that irresponsible dog/cat owner that dumps out his/her former pet very unceremoniously. For some people pets are like clothing and once the fashion goes out they are discarded away.
Tackling the stray dog situation is no easy task. My department, consisting of a team of very dedicated officers, is literally mobbed with requests from the public regarding the cats’ and other pets’ mutilations brought about by packs of stray and often uncared for and (irresponsibly) owned dogs that run amok in numerous localities in Malta.
Recently, in Swatar area there were instances where joggers or bikers were attacked.
An over-population of stray dogs and cats can also have serious adverse public health affects.
As a long term measure the department last year embarked on a national stray dog/cat neutering programme.
More than 1,500 animals were neutered at a cost of e174,000 paid in full by the department.
All sanctuaries that are registered as NGOs benefited directly from this scheme since they were paid for providing the aftercare services to the neutered animals.
Ten animal welfare organisations that are duly registered as NGOs and as such have a statute and keep audited accounts of all donations received and the expenditure incurred benefited from more than e175,000 as financial assistance.
This was given by the government specifically to improve further the operation or to launch new animal welfare initiatives.
Mr Farrugia in all his wisdom considers all this as ‘hogwash’!
However, I am willing to offer him the opportunity to join our department for a couple of days and so he can experience the true situation and then can compile a full unbiased report for your readers.
There are pseudo-animal lovers who use animals literally for their benefit or financial gain. These prey upon the unwary public who are blackmailed into giving donations to relieve the misery of abandoned animals. There are others who go to the very extreme and personify animals to the point that it becomes ridiculous if not outright insane.
I have met dog hoarders who truly and madly will rather starve themselves than see their dogs without food.
At times these keep some 50 or even more dogs in very restricted space to the detriment of neighbours and given the opportunity they keep on ‘packing’ animals like sardines even in derelict buildings or government property.
In these very dismal conditions we have often witnessed sick dogs kept in horrific conditions that putting them to sleep would be the only decent and humane option left and yet their still ‘carers’ think they are saving. In some extreme situations these dogs end up mauling each other to death.
Regarding the Animal Aftercare Centre at Ta’ Qali contrary to Mr Farrugia’s disbelief, the building is near completion and in time will function as intended for the benefit of all animals needing assistance and true animal lovers’ peace of mind.
Dr Mario Spiteri
Director
Animal Welfare Promotion
and Services
Civil Abattoir
Marsa
YOU NOTICED THAT LAST SENTENCE?
Well, then, read on - I answered this chief animal-welfare officer in this manner, through an article published by the same newspaper, dtd 13 03 09:
THE WELFARE OF DOGS.
I was appalled (but not very surprised) by your report on Public Property Eviction: Dogs removed from Floriana. I was much more appalled at the last statement by none other than the Director of Animal Welfare, Dr Mario Spiteri.
First of all, let me join the chorus of all those who are in agreement that Public Property should be just that: public, and nothing else. However, this same chorus is also in favour of justice – which means that ALL public property should be made public, or taken away from illegal private ownership. Hence, to simply take back this property from a particular section of the citizens in this country while at the same time you allow other citizens, hailing from other sections of our social strata, to continue living on land which was never theirs, is a gimmick which deserves the worst possible condemnation. It is an injustice which is taking place on behalf of the State!
I am also all out in favour of the Valletta/Floriana shelters or rooms or what-have-you from being used to ‘store’ animals!
But what is really obnoxious is the fact that the Director of Animal WELFARE, Dr Mario Spiteri, says, according to your newspaper, that: ‘Meanwhile all animal sanctuaries are practically full at the moment and so dogs would have to be put down if they do not get adopted.’
I repeat, this is none other than a veterinarian surgeon, and not only that, but the Director of Animal Welfare who is threatening to have these healthy dogs – his words, not mine! – killed! Killed! There is no other way to describe this – let us not use euphemisms within the animal kingdom! Killing is just that: there is no such thing as ‘putting animals to sleep’ or ‘putting down’. It just means one thing: killing animals!
And the Director of Animal WELFARE – my keyboard hasn’t got its Caps stuck! – is threatening just that, and why, may I ask? Because ‘all animal sanctuaries are practically full’.
Of course the animal sanctuaries are full!!! Of course animal sanctuaries refuse to take in more animals! Who is helping these sanctuaries to keep on working, with their doors wide open?
Don’t come giving me that hogwash about what the Government is giving to these sanctuaries! Listen to what their respective administrators are saying: they have been practically coerced into accepting a few euros in order to improve their facilities, which were anyway nearly dropping to bits. And in the process, some of them had to give in to certain conditions and go against what they believed!
Or the planned Animal facilities at Ta’ Qali? I, for one, will believe that not only when I see it but when I see how it is being managed and is running!
But I digress. The Director of Animal WELFARE has the sacred duty to protect and to defend animals in general, but especially those animals in plight, in danger. And in my opinion – and I AM A TRUE ANIMAL-LOVER! – stray dogs and cats should take immediate priority because they are the worst off. So, instead of trying to find a suitable, temporary area where such dogs can be kept, the Director of Animal WELFARE threatens to kill these dogs if nobody adopts them. That’s tantamount to saying that these dogs’ fate has already been decided, for how in the world are these dogs – the number has not been given – going to be adopted at such short notice? Where are they being kept at the moment? Who is caring for them?
It is unjust that due to humans’ faults, animals are made to pay the consequences. Animals are always innocent victims, that face the brunt of some wise guy out to try and remedy matters.
Of course, it is the easiest way out – a shortcut! - for the senior government official in charge of animal welfare to kill stray animals: that way, he will pride himself in the belief that he has managed to free our streets from the unsightly presence of stray dogs! That is the extent of this official’s imagination in striving to give animals a decent life, here in Malta.
It is the Director of Animal WELFARE’s duty, not only as a veterinarian that he is, but also as Director! - to see that animals are well-kept and their dignity respected.
It is his duty to see that animals are protected.
It is not in his remit to kill animals!
Not only that, but he has the duty to sustain and encourage those of us who go out of our way to help animals in distress.
For, if the Director’s attitude is such as this, then, what hope have we, real animal-lovers, to see that things improve in animal-welfare in this country?
I sincerely hope that some Honourable lady or gentleman from the House is reading these words and brings up this matter in Parliament. We must not allow another atrocity to take place with regard to strays, in our country.
In the meantime, all those who are planning to adopt a pet and who have animal welfare REALLY at heart, may I humbly suggest that you refrain from spending good money on pedigrees – and instead, visit one of the very crowded sanctuaries we have: you will certainly find the dog of your dreams! And that dog will adore you forever for your kindness, while at the same time making space at the sanctuary for another stray! Please, do not look away!
THE WELFARE OF DOGS.
I was appalled (but not very surprised) by your report on Public Property Eviction: Dogs removed from Floriana. I was much more appalled at the last statement by none other than the Director of Animal Welfare, Dr Mario Spiteri.
First of all, let me join the chorus of all those who are in agreement that Public Property should be just that: public, and nothing else. However, this same chorus is also in favour of justice – which means that ALL public property should be made public, or taken away from illegal private ownership. Hence, to simply take back this property from a particular section of the citizens in this country while at the same time you allow other citizens, hailing from other sections of our social strata, to continue living on land which was never theirs, is a gimmick which deserves the worst possible condemnation. It is an injustice which is taking place on behalf of the State!
I am also all out in favour of the Valletta/Floriana shelters or rooms or what-have-you from being used to ‘store’ animals!
But what is really obnoxious is the fact that the Director of Animal WELFARE, Dr Mario Spiteri, says, according to your newspaper, that: ‘Meanwhile all animal sanctuaries are practically full at the moment and so dogs would have to be put down if they do not get adopted.’
I repeat, this is none other than a veterinarian surgeon, and not only that, but the Director of Animal Welfare who is threatening to have these healthy dogs – his words, not mine! – killed! Killed! There is no other way to describe this – let us not use euphemisms within the animal kingdom! Killing is just that: there is no such thing as ‘putting animals to sleep’ or ‘putting down’. It just means one thing: killing animals!
And the Director of Animal WELFARE – my keyboard hasn’t got its Caps stuck! – is threatening just that, and why, may I ask? Because ‘all animal sanctuaries are practically full’.
Of course the animal sanctuaries are full!!! Of course animal sanctuaries refuse to take in more animals! Who is helping these sanctuaries to keep on working, with their doors wide open?
Don’t come giving me that hogwash about what the Government is giving to these sanctuaries! Listen to what their respective administrators are saying: they have been practically coerced into accepting a few euros in order to improve their facilities, which were anyway nearly dropping to bits. And in the process, some of them had to give in to certain conditions and go against what they believed!
Or the planned Animal facilities at Ta’ Qali? I, for one, will believe that not only when I see it but when I see how it is being managed and is running!
But I digress. The Director of Animal WELFARE has the sacred duty to protect and to defend animals in general, but especially those animals in plight, in danger. And in my opinion – and I AM A TRUE ANIMAL-LOVER! – stray dogs and cats should take immediate priority because they are the worst off. So, instead of trying to find a suitable, temporary area where such dogs can be kept, the Director of Animal WELFARE threatens to kill these dogs if nobody adopts them. That’s tantamount to saying that these dogs’ fate has already been decided, for how in the world are these dogs – the number has not been given – going to be adopted at such short notice? Where are they being kept at the moment? Who is caring for them?
It is unjust that due to humans’ faults, animals are made to pay the consequences. Animals are always innocent victims, that face the brunt of some wise guy out to try and remedy matters.
Of course, it is the easiest way out – a shortcut! - for the senior government official in charge of animal welfare to kill stray animals: that way, he will pride himself in the belief that he has managed to free our streets from the unsightly presence of stray dogs! That is the extent of this official’s imagination in striving to give animals a decent life, here in Malta.
It is the Director of Animal WELFARE’s duty, not only as a veterinarian that he is, but also as Director! - to see that animals are well-kept and their dignity respected.
It is his duty to see that animals are protected.
It is not in his remit to kill animals!
Not only that, but he has the duty to sustain and encourage those of us who go out of our way to help animals in distress.
For, if the Director’s attitude is such as this, then, what hope have we, real animal-lovers, to see that things improve in animal-welfare in this country?
I sincerely hope that some Honourable lady or gentleman from the House is reading these words and brings up this matter in Parliament. We must not allow another atrocity to take place with regard to strays, in our country.
In the meantime, all those who are planning to adopt a pet and who have animal welfare REALLY at heart, may I humbly suggest that you refrain from spending good money on pedigrees – and instead, visit one of the very crowded sanctuaries we have: you will certainly find the dog of your dreams! And that dog will adore you forever for your kindness, while at the same time making space at the sanctuary for another stray! Please, do not look away!
IT'S OFFICIAL: MALTA'S ANIMAL KILLING POLICY!
Right. So, it all started with a simple, concluding sentence of a MALTA INDEPENDENT news article, dtd 13 03 09:
Public property eviction: Dogs removed from Floriana
by Annaliza Borg
A number of dogs were yesterday removed from public property which squatters were using as an animal sanctuary close to the SPCA premises in Floriana.
It was not a one-off case because squatters often occupy public property to keep animals, Mario Spiteri, Director of Animal Welfare, told The Malta Independent.
Furthermore, at times owners remove their animals, often dogs, from illegally occupied premises after being served with an eviction notice, only to move them to another illegally occupied site.
The dogs removed yesterday morning were found to have wet paws because water had seeped into the place were they were being kept. While they were found to be healthy overall, as they were being fed, having wet paws often results in infections and disease, Dr Spiteri said.
These so called animal lovers often turn entrances to World War II shelters or openings in bastions into animal shelters by putting doors locked by padlocks, Dr Spiteri explained. These are often confined spaces with no lights and definitely not suitable for keeping animals. Dogs are often kept in large groups of around six or eight, he added.
A case in point was that of animals removed in the St Elmo eviction process, where horses, dogs, ducks, chickens and goats were among the animals found. At times a whole menagerie is discovered at these confined places, Dr Spiteri said.
Sometimes even game dogs kept for fighting were found at illegally occupied places. Since dog fighting is illegal, owners keep dogs in concealed places so that it is difficult for owners to be tracked down if the dogs are discovered, he pointed out.
Dr Spiteri called on those who truly love animals to be sure that they can keep a pet before actually taking one in.
“Dogs and all other pets should be kept with their masters,” he said.
Although animals at animal sanctuaries are cared for, this is not an ideal situation for them and they should only be kept there for a temporary period.
Meanwhile all animal sanctuaries are practically full at the moment and so dogs would have to be put down if they do not get adopted, he said.
Public property eviction: Dogs removed from Floriana
by Annaliza Borg
A number of dogs were yesterday removed from public property which squatters were using as an animal sanctuary close to the SPCA premises in Floriana.
It was not a one-off case because squatters often occupy public property to keep animals, Mario Spiteri, Director of Animal Welfare, told The Malta Independent.
Furthermore, at times owners remove their animals, often dogs, from illegally occupied premises after being served with an eviction notice, only to move them to another illegally occupied site.
The dogs removed yesterday morning were found to have wet paws because water had seeped into the place were they were being kept. While they were found to be healthy overall, as they were being fed, having wet paws often results in infections and disease, Dr Spiteri said.
These so called animal lovers often turn entrances to World War II shelters or openings in bastions into animal shelters by putting doors locked by padlocks, Dr Spiteri explained. These are often confined spaces with no lights and definitely not suitable for keeping animals. Dogs are often kept in large groups of around six or eight, he added.
A case in point was that of animals removed in the St Elmo eviction process, where horses, dogs, ducks, chickens and goats were among the animals found. At times a whole menagerie is discovered at these confined places, Dr Spiteri said.
Sometimes even game dogs kept for fighting were found at illegally occupied places. Since dog fighting is illegal, owners keep dogs in concealed places so that it is difficult for owners to be tracked down if the dogs are discovered, he pointed out.
Dr Spiteri called on those who truly love animals to be sure that they can keep a pet before actually taking one in.
“Dogs and all other pets should be kept with their masters,” he said.
Although animals at animal sanctuaries are cared for, this is not an ideal situation for them and they should only be kept there for a temporary period.
Meanwhile all animal sanctuaries are practically full at the moment and so dogs would have to be put down if they do not get adopted, he said.
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