AAA president removed
Freddie Fenech, who founded the Association for Abandoned Animals in 1979, has been ousted from his position as president during an extraordinary general meeting held on Monday.
Five of the eight committee members were present and took a unanimous vote, in the presence of their lawyer, Claire Stafrace Zammit, to force out Mr Fenech, who is being investigated in connection with allegations of misappropriating the sanctuary’s funds.
Dr Stafrace Zammit said Mr Fenech and the two other members, who were officially notified of the meeting and the agenda through a courier-sent letter, chose not to attend.
When asked why he was not present, Mr Fenech said he “was scared” of being in their presence and felt uncomfortable meeting at the office of the Animal Welfare Department.
“Why wasn’t the meeting held somewhere independent? I didn’t know what the meeting was about,” he said.
When it was pointed out that the letter clearly listed the agenda, he retracted this and said he had “forgotten”, adding he had nothing to hide: “I’m an innocent man.”
Dr Stafrace Zammit said the meeting, which ran for two and a half hours, was held at the department because AAA had no office. She said they gave Mr Fenech 30 minutes’ grace in the hope he would show up for the meeting but he never did.
The story about Mr Fenech broke last week when five of his helpers, who for years kept silent for fear nobody would believe them, filed a police report against the man who for many was the champion of stray animals.
The helpers only plucked up the courage to come forward after department director Mario Spiteri promised his assistance.
In their report, the helpers, who run the sanctuary in Luqa, accused Mr Fenech of siphoning off funds, being cruel to animals and making threats. They alleged they were unable to account for donations made directly to Mr Fenech and remained in the dark as to where the money went.
Their version was corroborated by the account of four former helpers who recalled very similar circumstances at the time they were still active at the sanctuary.
These helpers too had filed a police report against Mr Fenech for misappropriation of funds in 2004 but they felt their claims were never taken seriously and so they left the AAA.
In the meantime, a young woman, who said she had volunteered at the sanctuary between 2001 and 2003, called yesterday to vouch for Mr Fenech, saying she had never witnessed anything untoward during that time.
Mr Fenech has denied all the accusations levelled against him. Referring to The Times’ article, titled Police Question AAA Founder, he said he had gone to the police depot of his own accord to clear his name.
He also presented an affidavit to The Times yesterday saying he had “never been questioned by anybody” and that he had “never been approached by any authorities”.
The police have confirmed that investigations into the case are ongoing.
The investigations have left donors in a quandary, so in a bid to quell their concerns, the members voted to ensure Mr Fenech will no longer have “a direct or indirect right to appear on behalf of AAA, including but not limited to raising funds and entering the association’s sanctuary”.
“The members of AAA have voted Mr Fenech out because they sincerely want the sanctuary to move in the right direction,” Dr Stafrace Zammit said.
The members will be hiring an accountant to handle the funds and will be drawing up a report on the welfare of the animals within the sanctuary, which they will be handing over to the department.
A president to succeed Mr Fenech has not been elected yet and the members agreed to meet again within a month to approve the AAA’s new statute.
“The public can be reassured that everything is being done above board, Dr Stafrace Zammit said.
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Patrick Schembri
May 31st 2009, 01:44
With regards to the dvd that is mentioned below, now one can go directrly to the following link:--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcsfFEOuFHo
isabella Peresso Fiorentino
Apr 19th 2009, 09:59
Lawrence Magrin - Absolutely !!!
Lawrence Magrin
Apr 19th 2009, 03:00
This makes interesting reading coming from the horses mouth. Read paragraphs 16, 17, 18:-
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2002/0127/people.html
With friends like these, the animals do not need any enemies.
Isabella Peresso Fiorentino
Apr 18th 2009, 20:40
Thats what YOU say dear Mr Gatt. The truth will eventually come out.
M. Gatt
Apr 18th 2009, 16:46
Ms. Peresso Fiorentino I was not around in 1996 but I am very happy that people like Mr. Magrin can give you more information on the case. However, what was being discussed here was a different story that happened in another place from Manuel Island and in another period of time. You can have your opinion but in this case I know the facts and the story very well and the accusations against Fred are not true.
Lawrence Magrin
Apr 18th 2009, 11:00
@ Isabella Peresso Fiorentino.
It will also be a good idea to have a look at the following website that has some letters written to the press at the time after that ill fated day:-
http://animalrightsmaltaletters.blogspot.com/1996_12_01_archive.html
http://www.animalrightsmalta.com/letters2.html
Lawrence Magrin
Apr 18th 2009, 10:05
@ Isabella Peresso Fiorentino.
I am really glad that you wrote again. I will send you the dvd by mail along with a copy of the ombudsman report about the case, as soon as you send me your address. I have already had several people asking for a copy of the dvd with which I will also send them a copy of the Ombusman report .
If you like you can also contact me on my mobile 99294788 as certain things which I want to reveal to you will certainly be not published on line or elsewhere had I written them.
Yes those dogs were killed in vain, and I will give you a full detailed account why, when you contact me, as the true story had already been censored previously in our 'democratic' media. I will also give you the name of the person that ordered the killings.
Looking forward to hear from you.
isabella peresso fiorentino
Apr 18th 2009, 09:48
Mr Magrin - Just for the record - 70 to 80 dogs were transferred to the Island Sanctuary from Manoel Island , I know for a fact, More had to follow, but these didn't make it.
isabella peresso fiorentino
Apr 18th 2009, 09:37
Mr Magrin - Yes I would like to see a copy of this dvd please. I would like to know what really happened on that fateful day. I had homed one of those dogs through the Island Sanctuary, so this is a special case for me. I still insist though, that the dogs kept under Fred's care were not cared for as they should have.been. Is it possible, though that the Ale just killed healthy dogs for nothing? Why? did no one question this at the time? I'm baffled.
Francesca P.
Apr 17th 2009, 20:28
well....this was/is big news...but i had already heard rumours about this guy...now wether or not its true..its not up to me to decide....the truth WILL ( if not tampered with) emerge... im just sorry for those poor dogs...lets hope this incident does not affect ppl`s donations towards the sanctuary itself.....freddie has been removed...but the dogs are still there, and they are innocent in all of this!
James Formosa
Apr 17th 2009, 10:38
Marius.... Money collected for the AAA was spent and needs to be accounted for. So unless he has receipts, invoices, proof of any sort of what was spent then the conclusion is one.
The AAA have not only the right to do this, but also the obligation to do what they did as they know the details.
Lawrence Magrin
Apr 17th 2009, 00:08
@ Isabella Peresso Fiorentino.
Who ever would like to receive a free dvd of this frame up on one of Malta's leading animal welfare NGO, can write to me at enzmagrin@hotmail.com.
I have the first dvd ready to be mailed to Ms. Isabella Peresso Fiorentino as soon as she let me know her address, so in that way she will definately get her facts correct.
Lawrence Magrin
Apr 17th 2009, 00:02
@ Isabella Peresso Fiorentino.
You have got your history very wrong. In 1996 the Manoel Island Sanctuary was managed by the former Animal Rescue Malta. They had the remaining 60 dogs from Freddie Fenech.
These dogs were being transferred to the Island Sanctuary at Tas-Silg. On the 14th of March, 1996 there remained only six ex-Freddie Fenech dogs that were going to be transferred to Island Sanctuary within 7 days. That day the Animal Rescue Animal ambulance was carrying 5 dogs from the vet all of which had owners. Unfortunately the animal ambulance broke down, so we had to leave these dogs with the remaining ex Freddie Fenech dogs in different pens. While we where at the Skoda Garage to repair the animal ambulance, the SPCA, ALE and government vets went and killed all eleven healthy dogs and tried to frame Animal Rescue Malta. Luckily we had videos and photos of dogs and also blood tests, vaccination certificates to prove that all our dogs were all healthy.
As proof of this you can refer to Ombudsman case 748. Cont...
Isabella Peresso Fiorentino
Apr 16th 2009, 18:15
M gatt - You must be one of his close aides then. Were you around in 1996 and the Manoel Island saga ? Ask anyone who witnessed it all and the devastation of the place - too horrendious to even mention.
Anyone who works closely with abandoned animals really know the truth behind all this.
M. Gatt
Apr 16th 2009, 17:58
Ms. Peresso Fiorentino, allow me to answer your first question. The animals in distress collected by Freddie were given a shelter, food and water. Most of them were fortunate enough to find a home in Germany, others in Malta. I found six abandoned puppies in 2003 and Freddie found a home for all of them. In 2004 with Freddie's help we collected an abandoned dog and her twelve puppies. The mother and one of her puppies live in my house. The others were all homed. In 2007 I found another abandoned dog and gave it to Freddie. She was lucky enough to find a home in Germany. I witnessed several other cases when I was a helper there but I cannot list all. Regarding why this paper gave help to Freddie the answer is very simple. If you ever encounter an animal in distress try to contact any other sanctuary and see the reply you get. I am saying this from experience because I helped in another sanctuary before helping Freddie.
M. Gatt
Apr 16th 2009, 08:01
I read with interest all the valid comments given here. I assure all of you that this is just a plan to take over the sanctuary and the association from Freddie. I know the story very well, from the inside, because I was a helper at the sanctuary for four and a half years. Things will come out in the open and prove Freddie's innocence. I know Freddie very well. He is a genuine person who gave all his life for a good cause. For Freddie money means nothing, absolutely nothing. For him money is only a means how to help his friends...the animals. Then they accused him of animal cruelty...oh my God! The man dedicated all his life for animal welfare and I saw it with my own eyes at the sanctuary. The committee removed him before the investigations were carried out. What did surprise me is how come the five helpers who accused Freddie are all committee members? I know each and every one of them. Three of them came at the sanctuary around 2006 and even later so it surprises me when they say that they kept this story for years.
isabella Peresso Fiorentino
Apr 15th 2009, 21:40
Mr Cutajar - yes perhaps Fred was the guy who would turn up when someone called regarding an animal i n distress. But does anyone know what actually became of these 'distressed animals"? has anyone who made these calls followed up on these animals? did you Mr Antoine Grima? - I wonder.
Mr Franco Farrugia - you say this paper has "an orchestrated move against this man" - well I don't think so. It was always this paper who gave Fred front page coverage when he called them regarding some "rescue" including the story about the "starving dogs" and this was front page - remember? I actually always had the impression that he must have had some very good friends. As you know, day in day out, animal-lovers rescue animals in distress and these don't get to be in the news do they?
And what exactly do you mean by "animal-carers don't always agree with each other and want to run their own show"? There is only one show to run here dear Franco which we all agree, and that is to offer the best care and refuge to abandoned animals and nothing else.
James Cutajar
Apr 15th 2009, 20:27
How about starting to investigate the local government authorities vis a vis animal welfare, who so far have not given an account to the nearest cent of how the Lm150,000 given by the European Union to help animals in Malta, was spent.
So far nothing has been mentioned about the above fact. Perhaps the Freddie Fenech story is nothing more than to allianate the public from starting to ask questions about these funds.
As far as I am concerned Freddie Fenech is innocent until proven guilty by the local courts.
Now we will see how efficient the new AAA committee will be in the rescue of animals in distress. Time will tell.
Marius Zulgis
Apr 15th 2009, 20:13
@Carina Dimech
Thanks for your clarification. However what you point out is merely a study which "suggests" the corporate ramifications of scandal involving an officer of that corporation. This has little (if anything) to do with the presumption of guilt before the case is addressed by a court of law. I stand by what I said originally, and I would also add that both you or I would be grateful for such small mercies should we find ourselves in a similar position as Freddie Fenech. Although not religious per se I still feel it is a Christian attitude and feel it is a shame that the opposite attitude may prevail in some circles.
f vincenti
Apr 15th 2009, 17:25
I agree with C. Dimech in saying that unfortunately the reputation of the AAA is at stake here and the committee had the right to remove him if deemed appropiate to preserve its functioning. Let us not forget that the animals are still dependent on donations from persons of goodwill in order to survive. Do you think that persons would still donate if he was the active President right now?
Mr. Fenech, should have voluntarily and immediately resigned regardless of whether the accusations by the volunteers are true or false, if nothing more than to ensure that these animals that he "took care of" continue to recieve assistance, without prejudice. Having said that, again I agree with Ms Dimech in saying that I am under the impression that a bone fide 'association' is bound to keep financial records, as per statute. Best let the courts do their work folks and let's see the outcome. Meantime, if found guilty, I wonder if any person or institution will file for Animal Cruelty against him too?
Carina Dimech
Apr 15th 2009, 17:04
@Mr. Zulgis: FYI,
Should you wish to learn more on the subject look up 'Crisis Management' on Google:
"Wharton management professor Katherine Klein suggests that in the process of designing a rehabilitation strategy, corporate executives should first consider the nature and severity of the offense. When people think about a corporate crisis or scandal they are likely to ask two questions, she says. The first is: What is the nature of the scandal? More specifically, who was hurt and how badly? The second question is: Who is at fault and why did they do it?..............................Turning to the second question, if only one or a few people were at fault, the potential damage to the brand is limited and can be addressed by getting rid of the person or people who are to blame, says Klein. "
jessica pavia
Apr 15th 2009, 17:04
this is just too much to take in. Mr.Fenech has always showed unconditional love towards animals. Even the thought of him hurting the creatures whom he always seemed to love, stuns me. Personally i have made many donations to the AAA in hopes to improve the animals' state of living. i just hope these people are wrong, on the other hand, his way of dealing with this situation isn't helping him prove his innocence. Even so, why would 5 members of the association just invent this kind of story?
c.camilleri
Apr 15th 2009, 16:36
@ a Bonello. It is easier said than done. You mean more taxes to help these NGOs? I hope you do not mind.
There is lot of of doubts about this case. Example: from where have all these persons cropped up? We only heard of Freddie in the past. Why now and not earlier? In my opinion there was a hasty judgement. He should have been suspended pending investigations.
Joseph Galea
Apr 15th 2009, 16:33
What are we trying to do here?
I sincerely hope that this is not a repetition of what happened to the Maria Bugeja Cancer Support Foundation ... or to the Lourdes Home.
Let us be very careful.
We never seem to learn: Some complained about the FREELY GIVEN donations to Maria Bugeja ... who were the victims: Cancer patients and cancer awareness!!! Some complained about the way some youth were treated in a home years ago ... who were the victims: Gozitan youth in need of a home!!! Now some are complaining about FREELY GIVEN donations to AAA ... you want to know who the victims will be: our strays!!!!
I do not understand this.
Marius Zulgis
Apr 15th 2009, 15:35
@Carina Dimech
I have to say that your view is somewhat cynical and jaded. Personally if someone has been accused it does not necessarilly follow that they will be convicted - the man in the street needs to be of a level of education to understand this basic foundation of justice. Why else go to the bother of a court case - just accuse and convict in one fell swoop, just like the middle ages. Do you think the average Maltese citizen has a Middle-Ages mentality?
Antoine Grima
Apr 15th 2009, 14:25
Hard to take in. I know the man and he did help me out when i found 9 puppies and they needed feeding and homing. If this is all true , than it's true what they say about money being the root of all evil . Good luck to the volunteers and to whoever takes over from Freddie. Maybe we should start policing the police every now and again.
J Martinelli
Apr 15th 2009, 13:49
@ Franco Farrugia
Presidents, CEOs, etc. are removed (ousted) not necessarily for criminal activity. If their performance becomes detrimental to the organizations they head, then the Boards have the authority and duty to remove such persons who may put the organizations in disrepute or their finances damaged as a result.
I agree with you that Mr. Fenech must be presumed innocent unless proven otherwise.
Deo Catania
Apr 15th 2009, 13:28
If the volunteers' target was to get rid of Freddie and take over the sanctuary themselves they succeded but it's unfair on him. Here in Malta it's better to sit back and do nothing.
g. scerri
Apr 15th 2009, 12:56
I agree with Ian Azzopardi. Where was this committee all this time? I am even surprised to learn that there was one given Mr. Fenech's high profile. And when the staff said they dared not speak out from fear of retaliation, did that include the Committee. Did the members never go to see for themselves or where they too kept out? Being on a committee means more than having an evening out. It means you are responsible for all that happens. Is this committee being investigated as well?
Marius Zulgis
Apr 15th 2009, 12:17
Whatever happened to "Innocent until proven guilty" I wonder?
Franco Farrugia
Apr 15th 2009, 12:11
I would have temporarily suspended Mr Fenech, not ousted.
I feel that this man is being condemned without the authority to do so. Only a Court of Law can judge him; only the Police can investigate this man. Until then, Mr Fenech is innocent.
There seems to be an orchestrated move against this man, especially by this newspaper. Three articles against this man in the space of seven days. Hmm...
Do not get me wrong: if indeed Mr Fenech is guilty of these accusations, he should be made to pay - but this can only be proved by a Court of law.
it is a known fact that animal-carers do not always agree with each other and everyone would want to run a show his/her way .... obviously, Fenech included.
monica muscat
Apr 15th 2009, 11:58
This news about Freddie Fenech really got me down! I have always considered the man as a really genuine person without any personal interest in his love of animals. Let us hope that all the truth, whatever it is, will come out. And let us hope that any actions will result in the true interest of the animals concerned.
A Bonello
Apr 15th 2009, 09:53
Mark Portelli, we don't need laws to regulate NGOs, we need the government to help NGOs!!!!!! Island Sanctuary, SPCA, Red Cross, etc....the government does not give them a cent! And then you come here speaking about laws....the government should help them before even thinking about putting out laws!
Mark Portelli
Apr 15th 2009, 09:33
NEW LAWS TO REGULATE NGOs
Ian Azzopardi
Apr 15th 2009, 08:27
It is not clear from the article how many members of the AAA attended the EGM, apart from the 5 committee members and the Lawyer. It is not understood why is the association hiring an accountant to handle the funds. The AAA should have a committee member acting as Treasurer and if needs be an accountant to show him/her how matters should be handled well.