Bid to save 'death row' dogs

Thirteen good-natured dogs, cared for by a 78-year-old man in Fgura, have a death sentence hanging over them after a stray in the locality attacked a woman.

The court last week issued an order to have the 13 dogs collected on March 3 and then put down, an order which the Island Sanctuary Association is strongly condemning.

The sanctuary is appealing to the authorities to reconsider this "unjust decision" and spare the lives of the innocent and friendly dogs.

Joseph Salerno has been caring for the 13 dogs for the past eight years after some "irresponsible citizens" started abandoning dogs on his doorstep.

"At first I owned just three dogs but then people would ask if I could take in more. When I refused they still dumped them here. I did not have the heart to leave them without food," Mr Salerno said.

The dogs have become Mr Salerno's friends and at night they are safely locked inside his home, which overlooks the Blandun Valley.

The man, fondly referred to as Gary by the locals because of his fixation with Gary Cooper films, insists his dogs did not have a vicious bone in their body.

"My neighbour was attacked by a frightened stray which wandered here. It's unfair that my dogs have been blamed for this incident. The stray is no longer here after it was hit by a car, collected and later killed," Mr Salerno said.

The sanctuary, which has helped Mr Salerno care and neuter the animals over the years, is vouching for the dogs' nature.

"Mr Salerno's dogs have never shown any aggression to the sanctuary volunteers who have driven them to the vet and administered daily medication. On the contrary his dogs are timid and shy," the sanctuary said.

The sanctuary said it was prepared to help re-home the dogs under Mr Salerno's care but this process would take longer than the week left before they are collected.

"We are appealing to anybody out there to offer a home to these unfortunate defenceless victims which have been accused and condemned to death by an unrighteous society," it said.

The sanctuary can be contacted on 2165 9895.