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