The owner of a small animal sanctuary fears that some of the dogs she cares for on the streets by neutering, feeding and medicating them have been taken away to be trained as fighting dogs.
Expressing concern, the woman, who did not want to be named, said several dogs had disappeared over the last couple of weeks alone.
The woman said she wanted to remain anonymous because she feared the other dogs in the area would be hurt and meet the same fate as the others that have gone missing.
Sandra Mifsud, from Yelp for Help, a voluntary non-profit-making organisation that supports animal shelters, sanctuaries and carers of stray cats and dogs, explained that the use of dogs as "bait" for fighting dogs was, unfortunately, no novelty.
"It happens when the dogs are being prepared to fight but are still too young and do not have enough confidence in themselves. Basically, a frail dog, which is usually tied up and not fed for days, is used as the bait. The trainee fighting dogs are instigated to get aggressive with the weak dogs and can easily tear their victims to shreds. In so doing, the trainee fighting dogs gain more confidence, their egos are boosted and they are prepared for their fights. As they grow up, they become fearless," Ms Mifsud said.
"Dog fighting remains a mystery activity in Malta. No one ever seems to get caught," she said.
Yelp For Help will be holding another Walk Your Dog Day in the form of an educational treasure hunt on April 24 at Buskett Gardens, with questions related to animal welfare issues as well as questions on the environmental and historical value of the gardens.
The aim is to promote responsibility among dog owners and raise awareness on the importance of exercising dogs.
"Exercise is vital for their mental and physical well-being - if they were in the wild, they would be energetically running around. A lack of regular exercise also frustrates dogs, making them difficult to control and a nuisance to owners - especially their neighbours," Yelp for Help said.
With the help of the Education Division, the event is targeting pupils in the hope of ensuring that tomorrow's generation of dog owners would be aware of animal welfare.
Every participating group in the event will be given a survival kit for the "expedition" and a dog trainer, a vet and representatives of animal sanctuaries and shelters will be present to offer information about pets and animals in general.
Registration is at 9 a.m. but participants are encouraged to register online - www.yelpforhelp.org The price per participant is Lm1 and there should be a minimum of one dog for every five persons.
The first 50 participants will be given a free Royal Canin pet carrier bag, which stores water and food and is an ideal accessory when walking a dog. Other prizes are also up for grabs.
Following the treasure hunt, Etnika will be holding a creative workshop for children and an exhibition and hands-on presentation of traditional Maltese instruments and a performance by 75-year-old Toni Camilleri, known as it-Tommi - one of the last remaining exponents of traditional tanbur playing.
Donations can be made by sending and SMS to 5061 7362.