Saturday, 19th July 2008

Animal lovers, please speak up

John Ivens, Marsascala

Following the publication of my letter (July 8), I think the people should know how serious this problem is.

We demand answers to these questions.

How many dog sanctuaries are there, legal or illegal? How many dogs are being cared for at each? What financial support is each receiving from the government? What is the government's annual budget for helping these sanctuaries? Who is the person in the government directly responsible for the plight of these animals?

What is s/he doing to coordinate the improvement of these places? What plans has the government for licensing all dogs and micro-chipping? What are the fines for illegal breeding? How many illegal breeders have been fined annually over the past five years? If anyone operating a sanctuary, whether licensed or not, would care to give these figures to me, where they apply to them, I will ensure they are put before the citizens of Malta and the government officer responsible. I give my word I will not divulge any personal details if the sanctuary is not licensed, but we do need a complete picture.

Please speak or write to your MP and put the pressure on. Make a contribution. The pen is mightier than the sword. If your MP refuses to put pressure on the minister concerned, prepare to ditch him or her at the earliest opportunity. He or she is there to listen to your opinions and concerns, do whatever possible to solve problems and right wrongs. There are too many "deaf ears" in Maltese politics.

This situation is a disgrace and reflects badly on all politicians and on the people of Malta.

Please continue to support Rennie and Maria under the arches at the entrance to Valletta. They have been heartened by the letters and financial support since my letter was published.

There are people on these lovely islands who are so cruel. I have just heard of an incident concerning a harmless stray dog living near the film set at Marsaxlokk. The dog was shot in cold blood at close range for no reason whatsoever.

The people of Marsaxlokk must know who it was. Is it not a crime to execute a dog? If so, report him or her to the police.

Comments

MArk Vella Bardon (on 21/7/08)

John Ivens must have noted that the government has allocated 350,000 thousand Euros towards animal welfare for this year alone. Half is being utilised for a neutering programme which was launched on the 18th May 2008 and is presently in full swing. The other half is being offered for upgrading sanctuaries to legal standards. These sad dogs need all the care they can muster. There is no doubt that Rennie et al. have a very big heart for these dogs but are they looked after in a satisfactory manner and without inconvenience to the public. On the other hand I applaud any call to the general public to make their voice heard and help resolve the disgusting habit of abandoning and illreating animals. Following my persistent representations and appeals, the present government has made an electoral commitment to introduce registration of ALL dogs by microchip (vide: http://www.noahsarkmalta.org/neutering2008.htm) We can only hope that it will be enforced, unlike the Animal welfare Act which castigates criminal acts against dogs with very heavy penalties seemingly only on paper!

T Aquilina (on 20/7/08)

I fully endorse Mr Ivena's comments. Animal cruelty - or rather torture - is best evident in places like Sliema and Valletta where the number of karrozzini keeps growing. Has anyone ever witnessed these unfortunate creatures being given water to drink at any time, while being made to stand in the scorching sun the whole summer , because I haven't.

g.c.Forte (on 19/7/08)

When ever I read a letter concerning the animals, I feel the strength to write,and strongly criticize the government, the opposition, A.D.and all those that when the general elections comes they start begging for our votes with the promises that they are going to solve OUR problems regarding the stray friends.I said our problems, because it is our problem and not the animals are the problem. In the near future we are going to lose most of them ( by neutering,by traffic accidents,by cruelty and by nature) There is going to be time that our children,will know these animals by picture. Believe me, look at what happened to our donkeys,I remember them very well,today they are extinguished.I agree with John Ivens,somebody should be accountable and answer. Yes we need to support Rennie and Maria,Freddie and his team and all those who are involving themselves to help our friends. To all the public I say;if you see somebody doing cruelty and or kill an animal and you close your eyes,you are accomplice and guilty as much.
,

Franco Farrugia (on 19/7/08)

The contributor will learn, to his expense, that his request will fall on deaf ears.
Nobody who is in power, is really interested in the plight of strays, and in the plight of animal sanctuaries, whether they are legal or not.
For a long time, I have been crusading in the printed media in favour of having a Commissioner for Animals, as we have a Commissioner for Children etc... Such a person would be independent of any government department and would have the power to inspect any place, private or public, where an animal or animals are kept. His or her one main priority would be that of seeing that animals are living in dignity and that they are not harmed in any way. In short, the Commissioner for Animals would be the embodiment of our country saying NO to animal cruelty!

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Saturday, August 30, 2008. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Animal lovers, please speak up

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