Frans H. Said, St Paul's Bay
Of pets and arrogant owners
Edwin Gruppetta (September 4) rightly mentions the arrogance of certain official bodies. When these powerful know-alls have no answer or excuse they stay dumb. It has been such a case in St Paul's Bay for many years.
Unfortunately, the new mayor is still very young, just out of university, and has had no experience in management or local government. This is one of the drawbacks of the present system. A mayor should have at least one, if not both, of two qualifications, namely experience as a councillor and management. In the vast St Paul's Bay area there seems to be one preferential zone, namely the Buġibba Square; and second, third or even fourth rate areas. I and others have written a number of letters to which hardly any reply or explanation was ever given.
Regarding pets, I beg to differ. If Mr Gruppetta and his ilk want to keep dogs, let them do so without annoying other persons. Dogs, by their very nature, are aggressive animals. They wee and poop when they feel like it, at times to mark the area for other dogs to notice. Can Mr Gruppetta tell me how many dog owners clean up after their pets? What do they do with the mess? How can they clean up the wee which in summer stinks to high heaven?
I, therefore, urge Mr Gruppetta to enjoy his pet but let us enjoy clean streets and pavements. Why should we clean after his pastime? Arrogant owners do not even bother that their dogs, big and small, dirty in front of garages and doors.
So dog owners take note, one of these days there will be a proper experienced mayor and council who would be ready to take all the necessary action irrespective against whom such action is taken. Perhaps I suffer from delusions and wishful thinking, but it is high time in the puny island that all authorities and politicians stand up to be counted.
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isabella peresso fiorentino
Sep 13th 2008, 11:41
Mr fenech : Likewise you accuse me of what you think of me rather than what you know: irrisponsible, forgetful and also an ass. ( believe me the latter is a compliment, donkeys are very intelligent animals) What I insinuated about you is simply that you are intolernt toward animals and you seem to make it quite clear in your writings.
I love my two dogs and am prepared to make certain sacrifces such as cleaning up after they pooh on the streets, just as you and I make other sacrifices for other members of the family.
john fenech
Sep 12th 2008, 13:01
Dear M’s Isabella Peresso fiorentino I am glad that you keep your pet deposit where it belong and I sincerely hope that you will be fit for many more years to enjoy this exercises. The fuss about the pooh was the cause that law 242/2000 was introduced. Which translate -the owners of the four legged pets will be obliged to collect what their pet’s discharge, since the public as a rule do not collect such material!
You might be suffering from a convenient form of partial amnesia or you have the tendency to rush to make assumptions, I was always taught that assumptions make an ass out of oneself. It is the third time that you accused me of what you think and not what you know, and very loud as well!
We had several pets during the years but at my present age I would rather avoid the hustle and enjoy only some one else’s pet. So you see there is one more in favour of pets, as regard owners..?
It was an experience to have these discussions but I believe that I have nothing more to add, so enjoy whatever makes you happy.
Isabella Peresso fiorentino
Sep 11th 2008, 21:44
Mr John Fenech - I can assure you that when I take out my dogs, and they happen to pooh, I do bend down to pick it up and dispose of it appropriatly.
What i cannot understand is this furore against dogs being taken out for a walk and the fuss about their pooh. And yet nobody is bothered about human rubbish which one encounters every day. I strongly believe that whoever is permanently complaining about dogs has a grudge against these animals. FULL STOP. And I think you are one of them.
May I congratulate you by the way that at least you care about the environment. and do something about it.
john fenech
Sep 11th 2008, 10:33
Dear M’s isabella Peresso Fiorentino Did I say in my comments that I have anything against those who keep a pet? What I said was -I cannot afford the luxury! As I have said I firmly believe in the Golden rule, on the other hand you tend to generalise because you think that it will prove a point. Is this one of your virtues?
If you let your pet foul up the street you are breaking the law. As far as my car is concerned it is serviced as required and the CO₂ emissions are below requirements. If you believe in what you say do not use fossil fuel of any kind, or at least reduce your carbon footprint. There are several contributions about this subject; mine was published by TOM in May of this year.
On the other hand if you are of the opinion that two wrongs make a right then I pity your neighbours
isabella Peresso Fiorentino
Sep 10th 2008, 17:02
Nr John Fenech, I never impilied that animals should be allowed to foul the streets, and let the rain wash it away. I only compared the level of pollution between a little dog pee, and the fumes coming out from a car. Both are a hazard, but one can be washed away whilst the other lingers on in the air forever. See my point?
Also dear Mr Fenech, one can be a nuisance in so many ways by one's own behaviour, other than your view of people having animals in their homes.
Censu Galea
Sep 10th 2008, 16:08
The more I read the more I realise that we have to make sure that people who break the law have to be fined.
At the same time I realise how difficult it is for anyone to have enough wardens, police officers or whoever, to catch the culprits on the spot.
In England, recently, a group of volunteers were recruited to do a certain amount of surveillance.
On various occasions I stopped people (personally) while breaking the litter regulations.
Any other volunteers?
Besides that, let's photograph the culprits. By the way in case of reporting we have to be prepared to take the witness stand.
This could help the local council. However, then, also, do not lament that these fines are there as a revenue maker - in effect they are not.
If no one breaks the law no one will get fined!
john fenech
Sep 10th 2008, 15:28
Dear M’s Isabella peresso fiorentino you should pay attention to your advice- that is do not lash verbally without control! The first sentence of my comment reads,” Why it is that certain people have to be offensive; it will be of no surprise that these individuals do not care if their darlings will be of a nuisance to others! The emphasis is on “certain”
For your information I firmly believe in the ethic of reciprocity, that is "treat others as you would like to be treated” Although I like all forms of life at present I am abstaining from the luxury of sharing my life with a pet, therefore I can vouch that from that point of view I cannot be a nuisance.
Unfortunately if you are implying that pets should be allowed to mess the streets and then wait for the rain to wash it away; you are irresponsible.
Gerard Cassar
Sep 9th 2008, 19:15
Policemen are issuing charges against anyone caught throwing papers cigarettes in the streets etc.
Such a charge should be imposed on whoever is caught going out with a dog or ny other pet and lets his dog/pet dirty the street.
Dirtying the streets in this way is more condemnable than throwing a paper.
Michael Scicluna
Sep 9th 2008, 18:44
No Comment only IF WE LOVE ST PAUL'S BAY LET'S KEEP IT TIDY.
Whether Dogs, Canaries, Human Beings etc etc etc.
If you see anyone littering have the guts and go up to him / her / it and tell them off.
Phil Press
Sep 9th 2008, 17:30
@ Frans. Reading you comments. i take it you must be a cat owner. No mention in you letter about cat's fouling the Streets, ripping open garbage bags and have you never seen an "aggressive" cat. Meow Meow.
isabella peresso fiorentino
Sep 9th 2008, 16:36
There seems to be, lately a furore against dogs somehow. I agree that fines should be given out to anyone who litters our streets.
These people constantly hammer on about dog pooh,and yet they don't seem to be bothered about human rubbish. In the area where I live, every morning the streets are littered with take-away cartons, cigarette stubs, vomit from drunken louts, etc..
Mr Said; whoever gave you the notion that "dogs are aggressive animals?" I'm sorry, but I don't think you know what you're talking about. Dogs are actually by nature to be the perfect companion one could ever have, unlike some humans who lash out of control verbally or through their writings. And WE animal lovers are meant to tolerate them.
Mr Cachia : I wonder how many times YOu annoyed your neighbours with your attitude.
As for you, dear Mr Fenech, I, and many, others like myself make it a point that our companions will not be a nuisance to others. Do you? Even your car can be a nuisance to others . Car fumes can definately be much more hazardous than a little dog pee which can easily be washed out with the rain.
steve busuttil
Sep 9th 2008, 15:27
@ E Zammit
Unfortunately you are right, in my street there are 5 or 6 persons who have dogs. Of course we all talk to each other about problems and one of the problems is that there is a person who lets his dog out alone early in the morning and obviously he does not clean up after.
this person is creating a big inconvenience also to us who have dogs and clean up. I am in favour of fines against people who do not respect the environment, but the only solution is enforcement, not much of that is done on this island ufortunately!
Kenneth Cassar
Sep 9th 2008, 15:24
@ E. Azzopardi:
Apart from the fact that taking a dog out at 0600 hours does not say it all (many people take out their dog before work), you do have a point in that many dog owners do not clean up after their dogs, which, besides being inconsiderate towards other people, is also inconsiderate towards other dog owners since it puts them in a bad light.
That said, it must be stressed that the dogs themselves are not to blame - what else could they do?
So yes, fine people who litter or do not clean up after their dogs, and provide bins for dog poop to be properly disposed of (like some local councils, including mine, already has).
Joseph Galea
Sep 9th 2008, 14:17
Agreed that all civic councils should come down hard on any pet owners who do not clean after their pets. But when I read some of the rantings in this blog I look at the plaque on my desk which reminds me that "The more people I meet (or bloggers I read) the more I love my dog!"
Claire Scicluna
Sep 9th 2008, 13:32
Mr Said I am a proud owner of two dogs and I greatly enjoy a walk with my beloved pets. Yes I do clean up after my dogs, and I dispose of their "mess" in a litter bin when I find one close by or else I take it home with me. From your tone i take it you are much more aggressive than my dogs.
john fenech
Sep 9th 2008, 13:28
Why it is that certain people have to be offensive; it will be of no surprise that these individuals do not care if their darlings will be of a nuisance to others! I image that their credo is that laws are there for others to obey and theirs to ignore!
There is a limit at which tolerance ceases to be a virtue.
Franco Farrugia
Sep 9th 2008, 13:12
It is a pity that Mr Frans Said writes about arrogant owners, when it appears that he himself is not a stranger to arrogance, the way he writes and the way he comes across through his own words. Certainly no lover of animals.
'Dogs, by their very nature, are aggressive animals'. A fallacy.
Does it follow that without pets, streets will be clean? Hardly.
In what way does Said want 'all authorities and politicians to stand up to be counted'? To legislate in some way that pets and other animals are threatened? He will find ME there, in front, for one, breaking the law if necessary!
@ Vincecachia - We are all used to your way of thinking against animals . Only sad people do not see the advantages of four-legged animals living alongside us, animals also!
E.Azzopardi
Sep 9th 2008, 13:07
Judging from the streets and pavements.many ( not all) dog owners DO NOT clean after their dogs. Just look at the pavements and this proves it. Egoism at its best. Many go out at 0600 hrs or at 2300 hrs . It says it all. Many put it in a plastic bag and throw it on the side of the street!!!! Fines and more fines and these should double every time. Otherwise there is no final solution!! And when you look at them they give you this arrogant look. Malta belongs to everybody and nobody has the right to dirty anywhere. And we keep on discussing and commenting and nothing is done. These fines are justified and nobody can complain. But there must be wardens in plain clothes. If this question with the other problem of rubbish is taken seriously, then yes the government will reach its deficit target. In a year we will have a ''surplus'' and there is no need to wait for 2110!!!!
Karl N. Zammit
Sep 9th 2008, 13:05
Vince, you have my support as President of the Anti-Canary League of Malta, associate member with FKNK.
steve busuttil
Sep 9th 2008, 13:04
Dear Mr Said,
I own a dog and clean up after i walk him around my neighbourhood. dogs bring joy to those who love and take care of them properly, unfortunately you are right when talking about selfish owners who do not do the same.
However if you are against dogs in your neighbourhood, delusion isnt the only problem you are suffering from since you are asking for the impossible. I for sure will never live without a dog.
finally i can assure you that people cause much bigger problems than dogs do, maybe you should start by addressing that problem first.
@ VINCECACHIA
A canary can hardly cause so much noise, apart from the fact that it is a beautiful sound, unlike your TV set in summer.
André Xuereb
Sep 9th 2008, 12:21
Vince Cachia: Oh shut up.
Kenneth Cassar
Sep 9th 2008, 11:48
@ Vince Cachia:
Are you sure that you yourself do not annoy any of your neighbours with anything you do?
VINCECACHIA
Sep 9th 2008, 10:51
Whatever kind of pet you keep at home, it is always there to annoy the neighbours.Even a caged canary may annoy neighbours with its singing!!
André Xuereb
Sep 9th 2008, 10:31
Mr Said, I cannot help but feel confused at your letter: are you against us dog owners walking our dogs, or do you just take issue with the (many, sadly) of us who do not clean up after their pets? Please clarify.