David Kinsella, Vittoriosa
In defence of animals
I refer to Stephanie Zammit's letter (The Sunday Times, December 28) about the lack of an animal ambulance service and I agree that there is a need for one.
Recently, I was driving near Aldo Moro main road in Marsa and saw a kitten running out onto the road and getting hit by a number of cars. It was certainly not a pretty sight.
Through the side mirrors, I could see it dragging itself towards the side of the road and onto the footpath. I drove all the way round the main road and came back to the scene of the incident where I found it lying on the footpath, unable to move. It must have been badly injured but luckily it had managed to get off the road; otherwise it would probably have been killed.
Like Ms Zammit's situation, since there is no official animal ambulance number available, I started calling a number of vets and emergency services in order to try and get help but nobody could do anything.
Eventually, one vet told me about an animal clinic in Paola, and so I found an empty cardboard box nearby, put the cat in it and drove to the clinic. The duty vet there examined the animal free of charge, told me that it did not suffer any broken bones and that it would be neutered.
I was also told that a person to adopt it had already been found.
I was very satisfied with the service offered at the clinic. However, not everyone stops to rescue injured dogs and cats and drives them to a veterinary clinic. Having an animal ambulance phone number to call is much easier. Animals which would otherwise be left to die in pain on the road could be put to sleep by a vet or even saved, depending on the extent of their injuries.
I also know the members of the St Francis Foundation in Vittoriosa, one of whom drove to Qormi to pick up the injured cat in Ms Zammit's case. These people have been doing this kind of work voluntarily for many years and deserve to be supported because they are providing a service to society.
As we know, keeping the environment free of stray animals minimises the spread of diseases and the number of accidents. Besides, one would expect more of a civilised EU member. For a country that relies primarily on tourism as its strongest industry, this issue does not give a good impression. And we also should not forget that these stray animals live a miserable life, exposed to the elements, eating scraps of food, facing diseases and cruelty by humans. I would like to show my appreciation to those involved in the current programme for removing strays from the streets.
Laws against animal cruelty should be enforced. It seems that the perpetrators of animal abuse are sometimes not caught and punished, as they deserve. We must keep in mind that people who abuse and torture animals are a potential threat to humans, too.
Furthermore, I think there needs to be a law that prohibits people from letting their pet dogs and cats out onto the streets to roam by themselves or to roam accompanied but without a leash.
Tackling the problem from the roots is the best solution to the problem. Besides having an animal ambulance service, public campaigns on neutering animals and teaching future generations to love and respect animals, could be the best thing we can do.
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steve compagno
Jan 12th 2009, 17:37
Hi all!
you can email me if you want because I am going to organise a meeting re this issue of animal cruelty and the enhancement of its law with a particular MP who has approached me himself to bring forward the public's proposals and forward them to Parlament. You can also find the group on facebook. Write animals Malta and you'll see the group : More animal awareness in Malta please.
Steve
emanuel magrin
Jan 12th 2009, 14:14
Well done Mr. Kinsella. Welcome on board the ark of commpassion. Malta needs more people like you. Your timely act saved one of God's Creatures.
Signed,
ALL MEMBERS
Saint Francis Foundation for Animals (Malta)
www.saintfrancisfoundation.com
Kurt Mifsud
Jan 11th 2009, 23:48
Once Dr Eddie Fenech Adami (back then Prime Minister) promised many many facilities for animals...
Mavies Jones (ICardiff)
Jan 11th 2009, 20:00
@JEAN AZZORPARDI if its not a kitten then what is it , don't tell me it must have been the Maltese Falcon the friction bird in a kitten's fury coat. If Mr.Kensella said it was a kitten then we should take his word and respect his judgement.
Mavies(cardiff)Good old Wales.
A. Bugeja
Jan 11th 2009, 18:25
@ A.ATTARD your comment was "Yes, that is just what is the countriey needs, the number one top priority!"
i hope you are not being sarcastic with this comment !!!!!!!!!!!! of course we need the animal ambulance back on the road, and is it a top priority because there are already to many creatures suffering on this small island, and something has to be done fast, if it wasnt for people like Mr>Kinsella and all the other kind people the animals would have suffered. and i applaud these kind people for their action in helping. Animals have no voice so we have to be the voice for them after all they are god's creation too. anyone who hurts an animal should be fined or jailed according to the severity of the crime without exeptions.................
Bobby Biggs
Jan 11th 2009, 16:13
Sir i take my off and salute you , its not very often you hear of anyone careing for an injured animal even on our British roads, and your kind are to few and far in between. Thanks. Bob.Biggs
A.Attard
Jan 11th 2009, 15:01
Yes, that is just what is the countriey needs, the number one top priority!
Mary Mercieca
Jan 11th 2009, 11:44
Well Done Mr. Kinsela. It is of great heart relief to know that there is a person with common sense and did not wait for any other assistanse to make sure that the kitten is removed from the hazardous zone, and taken to a vet immediately.
This should serve as a lesson to all drivers with a heart.
In such cases the first thing to be done is to try and help the accident stricken animal yourself before some other car finishes the poor animal. Then once the animal is in a safe area, one can either take it to a vet him or herself and then phone for professional ambulance assistance.
It is really a shame on the authorities not to waive off Lm8000 on the two animal ambulance donated to the St. Francis Foundation for Animals. These people are genuine, and have proved themselves with the self sacrifices they have been doing to help stray animals in distess.
Franco Farrugia
Jan 11th 2009, 10:41
@ Mr Kinsella - It is such a blessing to read letters like yours. It proves to me that I am not the only 'crazy' guy around, then. It is so heart-breaking to see strays on the roads, let alone strays who are hurt and in danger.
Well done and congratulations. And let's hope that the State will find a few more eurcents to dedicate to animal welfare in our country. What it is doing up to now, is not enough!
Jean Azzopardi
Jan 11th 2009, 10:40
Let's get this straight. A kitten was hit by a number of cars, and not only survived, but didn't suffer any broken bones?
That's no kitten.