Edwin Gruppetta, Qawra
Pets not allowed at St Paul's Bay?
Well over two weeks have now passed since my letter on the lack of a cat café in Qawra and we are still awaiting a reply from the St Paul's Bay local council on the matter. All the local residents are well aware of the lethargy within this council but this beats the lot.
Under normal circumstances, when a letter appears in the press criticising a reliable institution, rightly or wrongly it tries to give its own version of events, at least to show the outside world that they are on the ball. But not the St Paul's Bay council. I reiterate that I have spoken to at least three council members and written to and e-mailed the mayor several times on the matter.
Can the council or the mayor confirm that they are aware that an individual has obtained notices from them that state that "Dogs are to be held on a lead and any fouling is to be cleaned by the dog's owner" and super-imposed them with notices reading "Pets not allowed"? All pet lovers are awaiting a reply from the mayor.
May I remind the police that all this is happening less than 50 metres from the Qawra police station. I also dare to add that if these notices are removed others will crop up unless the individual concerned is tackled. All the local residents know who this person is.
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C Damato
Sep 4th 2008, 13:37
Dear Bugibba/St Paul's Bay/Qawra residents and tourists,
Suggest you go for a short walk in BIRZEBBUGA (so called) promenade. You will have to jump and skip all the way long to avoid dogs' sh**...! You will be by far more disgusted for sure. Its a complete mess with dogs fouling and remains.
Mind you, dog owners, not that I am against going for a walk with the dog or pet... but at least, clean it up... OR you leave it on the floor even at home?
And is it possible that Birzebbuga Local Council does not take any stand on this? ... eh I guess they never go for a walk around the promenade... they're toooooo busy in office!
Joseph Galea
Sep 4th 2008, 10:55
Quite right Mr. Xuereb. Not all pet lovers should be condemned because some (more than I wish) irresponsible owners just let their dogs foul the pavements, planters, etc.
I am always amazed at some of these people who I am sure consider themselves educated and upstanding citizens. I saw one such individual last week just behind the small St. Paul's Shipwreck church near the Gillieru, as I was walking my small dog duly armed with several plastic bags. This 'gentleman,' and I use the word with the greatest charity, let his large German Shepherd (Alsatian) foul one of the planters and then simply kicked some soil around with the toe of his sandals - presumably to hide the 'crime.' To him I say that if you don't want to shoulder your responsibility for your dog, then you have no right to own it.
André Xuereb
Sep 4th 2008, 10:12
Mr Grech: Yes, I admit that many, many Maltese pet owners are irresponsible, but is it not a case of discrimination against us who go to great lengths to not spoil a place after we've been there?
apgrech
Sep 4th 2008, 10:03
With all due respect to pet lovers (and I love pets too), we see lots of poop on the rocks in Bugibba/St Paul's Bay/Qawra area. So the problems are being created by various pet "lovers" and not by the councils.
This problem is also seen in other areas around Malta.
André Xuereb
Sep 4th 2008, 09:49
Any pet lover in Malta knows that pets are treated with disdain: "dogs not allows" signs litter the country. Whereas elsewhere in Europe I am allowed to board public transport with a dog on a leash, in Malta I am told that "no civilised person travels with animals."
If it were not so tragic, the typical Maltese attitude would be funny. Take a large-breed dog for a walk down our various promenades (Bugibba in summer, Sliema in winter) and watch (a) all the tourists petting it; and (b) all Maltese women warning their child "ersaq 'l hawn ghax dak jigdmek."