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!