The issue of breeding dangerous dogs in Malta is brought to my attention on a regular basis. It seems that some of the dog owners do not realise that the animals can be very dangerous. And here I do not mean for other animals but for human beings.
Living in Malta over the past three years, I have been approached several times by free running dogs which are considered to be dangerous.
I will never forget the time when I crossed the street and was almost attacked by a Doberman occupying the passenger's seat of a blue Ford Ka. It had no lead or muzzle and the window was open. I think that God saved me on that day.
The other day I saw a 12-year-old boy walking down the street with a Rottweiler (on a lead but no muzzle) and I was praying that this creature would not think I wanted to attack its owner. In St Julians a certain person goes for a walk every day with two dangerous, unmuzzled dogs - passing by the police station on the way.
Please, don't get me wrong; I love dogs. I am only afraid of what could happen. Around the world there have been many fatalities where dogs have attacked people. Luckily this has not yet happened in Malta. The only fatality I have heard of so far was the killing of a small dog. I ask myself: Does someone have to die before we start respecting the law and protecting people from these dogs. We have just had a perfect example of human ignorance when two people died in Naxxar's explosion. Do we have to wait for a dog-related accident to take precautions?