Barking up the wrong tree

Anthony Muscat Doublesin (A Proposal To Animal Associations, August 10) is barking up the wrong tree. He deserves some sympathy. His misdirected outburst (Calling All Animal Lovers, July 28) did indeed cause concern among animal welfare groups. Animal lovers do not keep 30 dogs in a garage, nor seven dogs on a roof, barking indiscriminately 24 hours a day.

Was a costly change of residence Mr Muscat Doublesin's only redress in this situation? If so, no wonder his resultant state of confusion. Animal welfare groups do not enact the law, neither can they enforce it. His ire ought to be directed towards the authorities. A neighbourhood nuisance is to be reported to the police. The cruelty of storing dogs in a garage or on a roof should likewise be reported.

The authorities are apparently reluctant to enforce action against such offenders. Primarily because there is no legislation that facilitates a solution to these problems. As things stand, court proceedings for the benefit of these unfortunate creatures would be concluded posthumously. The government is dragging its feet on the issue with the occasional but fruitless press releases, but otherwise nothing more than a token and traditional grant to the SPCA is done for abandoned animals.

Meanwhile, absolutely nothing is done for "pets" being kept in appalling conditions. The state has no facilities to cater for them. Although the onus appears to be on none other than the animal welfare NGOs, the latter have no authority to take over ill-treated animals. One wonders if the Animal Welfare Council has finally achieved some progress in suggesting measures to facilitate enforcement of responsible pet ownership. Its first year report was dedicated to legal notices on farm animals and promises for domestic animals. One year on and there is no indication about whether these promises are being fulfilled.

May I suggest to Mr Muscat Doublesin that complaints of messed-up public areas and excessive noise be made to the wardens or to the police. All the other laudable suggestions regarding pet identification and registration and hospital services should be made to the Minister for Rural Affairs and Environment, the Department of Veterinary Services and the Animal Welfare Council. The animal welfare groups who survive only by their voluntary work, financed by philanthropic individuals and the generosity of the public, have been barking up this ominous tree for ages.