'Dangerous dog' is not aggressive
I refer to the letter Dangerous Dog On The Loose by Lorraine Anastasi (March 2).
A few weeks ago Ms Anastasi called the Animal Welfare Directorate to report that there was a dog on the loose in the area where she worked, close to Mcast at Tarġa Gap in Mosta.
According to her first report the dog was very tame but needed attention because it seemed old and unwell and she feared that somebody would inadvertently run over it or that some of the other dogs roaming the area would attack it. She then called another time and spoke to another member of staff within this department, telling him that she wanted to report an aggressive dog which was a threat to the safety of passers-by.
Members of the Animal Welfare Directorate actually went on site twice to confirm whether or not this dog was a danger, on February 18 and 27.
Contrary to both reports, this dog was neither ill nor aggressive.
In fact, it is fed daily by employees of the factories in the area and the students of Mcast.
Following these site visits it was not deemed necessary to collect this dog, not only because it is neither ill nor a menace but also because from what we were told by some people in the area, it is considered to be everybody's pet.
Daniela Rieger, policy officer, Animal Welfare Promotion and Services Directorate, Marsa
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Eric Soames
Mar 4th 2009, 16:39
Hmm, don't know what happened to my previous post but to respond to John Meilak: Rottweilers were not bred to be the vicious attack dogs that he thinks they are, but rather developed from one of the oldest herding breeds to include their current roles in search and rescue, guide dogs for the blind, guard and police dogs. Dogs doing these jobs need to be intelligent and obedient.
A.Daniels
Mar 4th 2009, 14:08
@J.Meilak, i don't want to appear to contradict you, but some years ago i owned a 3 year old rottweiler and yes true they could turn rather nasty if not controlled, now on this subject of canines, my girlfriend at the time use to have a little tiny cute white poodle,** don't laugh,** but the little minger as i used to call it, attacked my rottweiller and bit him where th sun don't shine, so how do you explain that then, is it the bigger you are the more aggressive or is it the other way roundit the smaller a dog tend to be more aggressive, am i right or am i talking from the back of the >> >>> . Avery Daniels (love creatures great and small)...............
John Meilak
Mar 3rd 2009, 21:09
You cannot put a poodle on the same pedestal as a rottweiler can you? The former is bred to be cute and lovable while the other is bred to be vicious and attack any intruder on sight.
Edward Camilleri
Mar 3rd 2009, 15:47
Well done Ms. Rieger. Its good to know that there is someone out there who cares.
Its unfortunate that many strays end up being put down, because of our intolerance to them. The intolerance shown by certain individuals to strays cannot be encouraged.
That dog has every right to live as does Ms. Anastasi! If there is anyone that must be punished is its former owner for letting it loose.
Kurt Mifsud
Mar 3rd 2009, 14:22
@Mrs.Mary Hayes
Unfortunately in Malta there's a bit more than minority when it comes to respecting animals. Can't stand for example that you see many many mothers making their children afraid of dogs. Or judging a dog from the looks or race as happened to Matthew Bonnici's rottweiler. In Malta puppies and kittens are still given to children as xmas presents. Why, when we have so many stray dogs that need love and care and could be adopted? Why let our own animals breed when we have so many stray breedings?
And then we come to farmers' classic cases. Why do many farmers adopt dogs and leave them in their fields exposed to the Maltese severe weather conditions, exposed to insects and diseases, and some all alone always crying with sadness? Pure selfishness
Johnny Smith
Mar 3rd 2009, 13:58
We all love animals; I said that this dog might be barking because he was one day attacked by someone, maybe a human who hate animals or annoyed with his presence.
Yet dogs can be tamed and if given a nice loving home. This reminds me when a dog as this was reported and picked up by a German animal lover who liked this dog, adopted it and taken to Germany. Today this dog is very friendly and a loving dog that no longer barks or bites. Why, because he found love and with love has changed his feelings towards man. I recall that saying, "where there's no love, put love and you'll find LOVE." So, why can't we all do this too with animals - why do some hate them so much--WHY!!
Stray or dangerous dogs should never be put to sleep, but then one can always contact Mr. Freddy Fenech (if I recall correctly on) 79297930 or on 99464182, who will help you, if one directs Freddy exactly where the dog is, its breed, colour, and other details such@what time he is mostly found there or if he has an owner or not? PHONE-NOW.
Franco Farrugia
Mar 3rd 2009, 12:44
Well done, Ms Rieger, for the good work in favour of animals in need.
This shows how right I was yesterday in commenting in the blog, that Ms Anastasi has an axe to grind against strays.
She appears not to have been content with the action she took, but wanted to vent her feelings in the newspaper.
Perhaps newspapers would do well to be careful about such letters.
Matthew Bonnici
Mar 3rd 2009, 12:40
Well done to all for the common sense (not so common as we often see) deployed when dealing in this matter.
I was treated with a look of disgust last sunday when i decided to walk my 5 month old rottweiler on the Sliema front. Two people passed comments to their walking partners saying "be careful he's dangerous" "don't go next to him he's aggressive".....
I promptly replied with a sarcastic and rude tone by telling them that they should be far more worried by global warming than about the aggressivness of my dog.
My 5 month old rottweiler regularly meets people, dogs and other animals. He doesnt have a bad bone in his body. In fact he draws alot attention by children walking past who stop to enjoy a few minutes with him.
What ignorant bystanders that pass comments must understand, prior to blurting out irresponsible comments, is that people make dogs aggressive and not the dogs themselves.
People's fear of dogs leads them to stereotype breeds.
Mrs.Mary Hayes
Mar 3rd 2009, 12:33
We are not from these shores but we love this country and the majority of the locals are friendly and helpful, but like anywhere else there are bound to be a certain minority who think they know it all, No Dogs are on the whole not aggresive and we have come across more agressive people in our travels then these creatures and yesalso we have also came across agressive Maltese as well but only a few and far in between, so who is to say that this dog is aggressive except the person who is aggresive him or herself?? think deep !!! and then send your comment. Mary Hayes (animal lover-BRITISH) UK-R.S.P.C.A. member
Kurt Mifsud
Mar 3rd 2009, 12:07
You have my utmost respect Ms Rieger. Unfortunately because of these people animals become stray and homeless. And with all the allegations she was making the dog might have been put down. And only because for her he's just animal... maybe he did a necessity a couple of feet away from here house! Can't stand this egoism and selfishness of certain people as if it's the dog's fault to have ended on our dangerous roads.
I REALLY just hope for one thing... he doesn't get poisoned on purpose. Cause in Bellavista, M'Scala, a dog had been poisoned to death and I could swear on my life that he wasn't dangerous as I had fed him numerous times. Shame on who does these atrocities. Pitty I don't know who!
emanuel magrin
Mar 3rd 2009, 09:44
A very well deserved WELL DONE/PROSIT TO ALL Members of the Animal Welfare Directorate. Prosit Dr. Mario Spiteri.
Working for the Animals,
Emanuel Magrin
Saint Francis Foundation for Animals Malta
wwwsaintfrancisfoundation.com