Paola deputy mayor assaulted

Liam Kelly

Dec 5th 2008, 17:12

Well done Alfred Borg for standing up to these thugs.

Similar thing happened to me when i stopped to make sure someone picked up their dogs dirt and i was showered with abusive language by a woman who promptly ran home to her husband who then came back out to threaten me....sheer arrogance and its really worrying that many people still have the mentality of a caveman; threatening anyone who crosses them, which is particularly present with dog owners.

Kenneth Cassar

Dec 5th 2008, 15:51

@ J Micallef:

Shoot the dog for not wearing a blue tag? Is it the dog's fault?

Joe Genko

Dec 5th 2008, 12:25

Why not give the assailant something to think about?

For starters an afternoon cleaning up dog poop.

T. Demanuele

Dec 5th 2008, 10:08

Fine the guy €5,000 so that he learns his lesson, the HARD way!

V.Micallef

Dec 5th 2008, 09:41

I was, as they say, out of town. On coming back I learned about the incident in which Mr Borg was involved. I never had any doubts about Mr Borg as an immensely responsible person and 'official'. This incident bolsters my trust in his genuine interest in the welfare of the community. Well done and get well soon.

P Sultana

Dec 5th 2008, 09:29

It's the same around my house in St Julians; dog faeces everywhere ... in many ways we are still a primitive people.

Malcolm Mifsud

Dec 5th 2008, 09:04

Why not get the wardens to keep an eye on these situations as well besides standing doing nothing in the middle of the road directing traffic or issuing tickets a la John Wayne. Isn't it about time they do something decent to earn their money?

p.grima

Dec 5th 2008, 00:32

Well done Mr.Borg and get well soon.

I agree with all these posts, especially with J Micallef, and Kevin Cassar.
We humans will probably soon have to pay for using sanitation. All animals going for walks in public places should have a tag at all times and pay some form of ownership tax.

I believe that all poo should be disposed of by the owner/handler of any animal (be it dog, horse, or any other species) that walks the streets as soon as the 'job" is done.

Does the Gov, especially the Health Ministry not take into account the health hazard of such "souvenirs"?

Below is a list of links of human parasites, some of which can be transmitted to humans simply by skin contact (even if indirect) with animal feces:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intestinal_parasite
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxocariasis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascariasis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxocara_canis

victor vella

Dec 4th 2008, 21:21

Well done Mr Borg, it is your action that should be commended, I do hope that the courts act in a strong and sure manner on cases like this.Whilst there are a lot of councillors only a few take thier responsability so seriously.Once again well done and keep it up.

adriana chircop

Dec 4th 2008, 20:19

dear alfred,

I am sorry to hear the sad news. Keep up your good work. It is harder to be good, honest and to carry out your work well than to turn a blind eye. Rest assured that the majority of people appreciate your dedication .

adriana

Loli Attard

Dec 4th 2008, 16:38

As per usual we are more concerned about the cleanliness inside our houses then outside. A big shame, I totally agree with John Borg the streets in Malta look the pit! In the UK no one complains when they take their pets out & have to clean after them, this is the norm! when are the maltese going to stop being ignorant & take responsibility! I commend Mr Borg for actually having the gutts to stop the woman. Well done!

J Micallef

Dec 4th 2008, 11:44

1 - my solidarity with Mr. Borg
2 - My utter disgust at the 'nice lady' and her peasantry folk
3 - dammit, it's the same all over Malta with dog sh*t on the roads and on pavements.
4 - my opinion? Tax the dog owners who want to take their doggies to the walkies. Issue a 'blue tag' and anyone walking a dog - big or small - without the blue tag would have his dog shot!

Chris Grillo

Dec 4th 2008, 09:49

Sometimes we forget that being in office brings its risks with it. Mr.Borg I stand on your side with this issue, and it is only fair that the culprit is brought to court....we should lead by example..like Mr.Borg!

George Mifsud

Dec 4th 2008, 02:32

This is the meaning of "poplu ingovernabl" Lack of respect to neighbour and the environment - - This boils down to education and culture - I was brought up in Paola in the 60-70 - very sad these things are happening

Kevin Cassar

Dec 4th 2008, 00:40

I fully condemn this vile and cowardly act of violence toward the mayor. But I also ask, what do you expect from an ignorant uncivilized country that we are. I think we'll hear very soon that the guilty party got a slap on the wrist because he had no record and let go scot free. I also never understood why there is a law forcing people to clean up the small dog litter, while the horse owners (even police parade riders) dump kilos of sh&* on the street making it impossible to breathe and yet are not obliged to do likewise???? Am I the only one who thinks there's something not quite rational here???

Andre Chetcuti

Dec 3rd 2008, 21:19

What a shame . The relative should be prosecuted and jailed for such a disgussting act

Romina Vella

Dec 3rd 2008, 20:40

I'm Proud of You Dad

K.Abela

Dec 3rd 2008, 16:37

@Mr.J.Galea.

I fully agree with your argument but only when permits are issued to people running about with their horses, putting drivers and pedestrians in danger..

Jo.Galea

Dec 3rd 2008, 16:32

I suggest that it's about time to start issuing a legal permit or a licence for dog owners (Govt. take note) to be able to take thier dogs out and take lessons of how to be responsible for thier own dogs.

"This is a perfect example of a dog owner who's behaviour is worse than that of his animal (dog)."

John Borg

Dec 3rd 2008, 16:22

We can grumble all we want about how many wardens and police officers need to be on the streets handing out fines but ultimatelty this all comes down to our own personal responisbility. Do you see law-enforcement officers and street cleaners swarming the streets when you travel abroad? Yet the locals manage to keep their environment clean because they refrain from littering. My brother and his family were recently visiting from the U.S. Even their 4-year old commented that the streets of Malta looked like a pit!

Keith Tanti (Atlas Insurance -Paola)

Dec 3rd 2008, 16:19

Mr Borg is a very hard worker for the local council, and a friendly member of the community at Paola.

Everybody here knows him and everyone (regardless of what colour s/he is) recognises his work within the council.

Such acts of violence by the few ignorant, is to be deplored and punished. Mr Borg was simply performing his duties, and was punished for doing so.... what a shame!

I, along with my colleagues wish Mr Borg a speedy recovery and would like to publicly thank him for the work he is doing at his post.

Regards,
Keith

Maria Dolores Fenech

Dec 3rd 2008, 16:17

Well said Mark Piscopo. Where are the green wardens?

Those who live at Paola, know that in the evening people who have a pet have the habit to go round the school pavement and at Sir Paul Boffa garden (surrounding Paola Local Council) and let their pets foul the pavements without cleaning up. Residents living nearby often complained with the local council but it seems that, although there are also CCTV cameras surrounding the Sir Paul Boffa garden and the Council, these same people keep on letting their pets foul the pavements day after day.

My solidarity goes to Mr Borg. Let's hope we grow up and learn to respect the law and those people who enforce it.

Maurice Caruana

Dec 3rd 2008, 16:10

I fully concur with the statement made by Mr Joseph Galea regarding the owner of the pitbull taken daily down the beach beneath the Surfside Restaurant along the Sliema Promenade. The dog is let loose as soon the steps leading to the beach are reached. It is a common daily scene witnessed by locals and tourists alike but Malta being Malta, the enforcement authorities are totally oblivious to these occurrences. Only illegal parking is considered to be worth controlling.

Joe Grima

Dec 3rd 2008, 16:08

While expressing the fullest solidariuty with Alfred Borg, this is now a matter for the Police who should act ex ufficio and prosecute immediately. This Island can do wiithout cowboys of this natiure. This is supposedly a civilised society not the far west.

Charles Micallef

Dec 3rd 2008, 15:56

I do hope that this bully suffers what is coming to him at law, it is people with his mentality that think they re above the law!

D Vella

Dec 3rd 2008, 15:39

Maybe it is time for the Police and/or Local Wardens to wake up and start issuing spot-fines for fouling offences! Why on earth should a Mayor have to go around telling people of their legal obligations . . . . particularly when the responsible authorities are doing diddley squat?

Mark Piscopo

Dec 3rd 2008, 15:33

Where are the green wardens? Shame on the relatives of the woman.Are we living in a third world country ?This makes it doubly shameful for whoever assaulted him. I hope that these people are fined for breaking the law.

Clayton Luke Mula

Dec 3rd 2008, 15:28

I show my personal solidarity to Mr. Alfred Borg Paola Deputy Mayor, for he has been assaulted by doing his job very well.

Mr. Borg and all the Councillors in Malta and Gozo have the right to stop actions like that woman was doing.

They were elected by the citizens of each and every locality that they represent.

I wish Mr. Borg a very well done job while he is working to the interest of the Paola residents.

Hope that actions will be taken agains those who injured persons like Mr. Borg.

Joseph Galea

Dec 3rd 2008, 15:24

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to tell a young man walking his dog to clean up after his dog after the dog had just fouled the pavement on Sacred Heart Avenue, St. Julian's. His curt response was "Xi tridni naghmel? Nigbru b'idi?" I told him that he should carry bags for this purpose like all law-abiding, responsible dog owners do. He just walked away.

Some time ago I saw a tough looking character let his pit bull loose on the seashore below the Mariner's Kiosk in Sliema. The dog fouled the beach where people go swimming and the man simply called the dog and walked away. I saw this from the promenade above - but even if I was down on the beach I don't think I would have confronted the man - he and his pit bull could have made a meal of me in no time! It is time that 'environment' wardens walk our streets with the power of inflicting heavy fines for the first offense, with fines become higher for the second offense. With a third offense the individual should lose the privilege of owning a dog.

Sylvana Debono

Dec 3rd 2008, 14:12

Shame on these people who let their pets litter the pavements and even greater shame on those who rebel when reprimanded. It's a rotten disgrace to try to walk on some pavements: any observer from one of the balconies looking on to the Sliema Seafront would have hours of interminable pleasure watching hapless pedestrians dancing and prancing around dog poo. And that is just Sliema.

This makes it doubly shamful for whoever assaulted him.

T. Grima

Dec 3rd 2008, 13:34

This is a very serious matter and the Deputy Mayor of Paola should be afforded all protection.

Unfortunately, the continued non-observance of the dog litter act, which is rarely enforced, is encouraging some dog owners to do as they please. It's very hard to change this wrong mentality in Malta and Gozo unless consistent enforcement is in place.

Judith Schembri

Dec 3rd 2008, 13:31

I hope that these people are fined for breaking the law.

I live in Paola and made complaints to the Local Council about these matters. I am glad that steps are being taken to clean the streets but I am very sorry that the Deputy Mayor was assaulted for doing his duty.

I hope that this does not stop the Local Council from stopping these people (not the dogs - they are not responsible for their masters' actions) from dirtying our pavements.

I assure you it is not pleasant to wake up in the morning and go to work and the first step taken on the pavement just outside your front door is on some very freshly deposited dog poo!

A.Sacco

Dec 3rd 2008, 13:25

This shameful act of violence should be dealt with in a most emphatic way, otherwise all law-abiding citizens will be afraid to speak out against people who let their pets make a mess of our streets and pavements

Victor Formosa

Dec 3rd 2008, 13:18

The best solidarity to Mr Borg should come from the police and the law courts by giving his attacker a lesson and an example to everyone else who thinks he/she is above the law.

Rita Camilleri

Dec 3rd 2008, 13:15

How pathetic and cowardly some people are, she had to send her family!! she was in the wrong and thats that. she was lucky she wasnt fined.

mike pace

Dec 3rd 2008, 13:10

Action please by the bon ordni we don;t leave in a jungle type country and the deputy mayor was doing his job right - please the accused needs to be spoken by the law and order personal hopefully