Driver who got away... twice

My husband and I were appalled, to say the least, at Malta's judicial system. Three months ago our dog, a pug, was a victim of a hit-and-run incident. The driver was driving recklessly and was about to run over me, my husband and our six- month-old baby, before he ran over our dear Chloe! This accident happened in broad daylight, in front of our door and in a cul-de-sac.

I will not go into the pain and anguish we have been through, not to mention the pain and the countless injections poor Chloe had to endure.

Unfortunately, Chloe ended up blind in one eye, marred for life.

Together with our veterinarian, we duly testified in court.

Who would believe that the driver got away with a mere warning, a fact in itself that ironically indicated the court's acceptance of his guilt?

Had the driver not been wearing a safety belt he surely would have received a fine. However, behaviour that almost endangered our lives, and maimed our dog for life, resulted in his walking away without a fine or even a contribution to the medical expenses incurred.

What kind of justice is this?

Decisions like this can only lead to a more uncivilised society for both us and our pets.