Ariadne Massa
Raid on 'canine concentration camp'
Cooped up like chickens... The fox terriers were locked up in rusting cages and are having to learn how to walk again. Photo: Jason Borg
Twenty-five fox terriers, cooped up in chicken cages without water and with bone scraps for food, were rescued from a backyard in Birkirkara by the Animal Welfare Department yesterday.
The department, accompanied by district police, swooped down after neighbours reported that dogs were cruelly confined in rusting cages, stacked on top of each other with no shelter from the scorching sun or rain.
Some of the dogs were too weak to stand on their legs, others had skin lesions and infections and the majority were malnourished, infested with blood suckers and covered in their faeces.
In some cases, there were two to three dogs squeezed into one cage. A spokesman for Noah's Ark animal sanctuary, which took in seven terriers, described the scene as a "canine concentration camp".
Contacted later in the day, Noah's Ark founder Fabio Ciappara said the seven terriers they took in had been scrubbed, fed and quarantined: "They're gentle creatures. They're learning to walk properly again after spending so much time locked in cages."
SPCA staff were on site to help in the operation and took a small number of animals to their kennels.
When the department personnel began to transfer the terriers to the vans, an unbearable stench permeated the air. Held by the scruff of their neck, the dogs trembled in fear but still managed to wag their tail.
"This is one of the worst cases of animal cruelty I've witnessed so far," one of the department employees said.
Department director Mario Spiteri said that, unfortunately, some of the terriers were in such a disastrous condition that they may have to be put down.
The 43-year-old owner from Birkirkara, who hurled abuse as his dogs were being taken away, was heard saying he kept them in cages because they were "ferocious".
Yet, lying down on a warm blanket in the back of a van, they licked their rescuers' hands and wriggled their behind the second they were given a bit of human affection.
The authorities are suspecting the dogs were being bred to be used as bait and sparring dummies for fighting dogs. Sources explained that the fighting dog would be kept hungry and the fox terrier brought out of the cage and fed a juicy bone. "This would work up the fighting dog and, once let loose, would pounce on the fox terriers, which are bossy and fighters themselves. But they don't stand a chance against, say, a pit bull. Why else would he be breeding fox terriers in cages?" the sources said.
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Ashley Cumbo
Apr 27th 2009, 19:36
This behaviour is not justifiable, and no justice can ever be done with these poor animals. The fox terriers are adorable pets as I have had one myself that I still miss today. I am worried because besides the way the terriers were treated, there is the possibility that this person (the word does not fit) breeds dogs for fights, uses other dogs as baits, and enjoys a living through the misery of innocent animals. This definitely cannot be left unnoticed.
I am sorry I cannot home any of these rescued animals at home. I already have two dogs myself, but I urge anyone responsible who can offer a loving home to go forward. It definitely pays!!
Last but not least a big well done to the rescuers. I believe that they go through lots of trouble to do such noble gesture(s). Both thumbs up!!
lisa farrugia
Apr 27th 2009, 18:49
In this article it doesn`t say if the owner was given a hefty fine or arrested for cruelty to these poor dogs !! i think its about time owners cruel to animals should pay !! next time they will think twice about doing it ..
isabella peresso fiorentino
Apr 27th 2009, 15:33
What kind of human would do such a thing? The authorities ought to punish him severely and set an example to stop abuse on animals in this country once and for all. This story will give me nightmares. I just hope that the surviving dogs will eventually find good loving homes which they so much deserve.
I
A Azzopardi
Apr 27th 2009, 14:36
Tears filled my eyes while reading this article.
And what anger I feel inside me for the monster who did such a terrible act to those poor, helpless, timid creatures. Where are the authorities? Make him pay for his actions. This is disgusting!
C Ebejer
Apr 26th 2009, 10:27
It beats the imagination that there are people so CRUEL!
What type of conscience does he have?!!
He deserves the same treatment he gave the dogs
Well done to all those that helped in the rescue.
victor vella
Apr 26th 2009, 08:52
@ Saviour Ellul
Saviour I agree with you that they should book the scum for anything they can, he should thank god for human rights as other wise he would be hanged by most contributers here.But you failed to ask the courts or the ministry for justcie to lock this oeice of dirt up and throw away the key and forget to feed him. You failed to ask them to give him the worst punishment possible for harming such beutifull creatures.
GiovdeMartino
Apr 26th 2009, 08:06
Neither a fine nor a prison sentence. Kull qalb trid ohra. Give them the same treatment that THEY give to their dogs.
dorianne bugeja
Apr 25th 2009, 20:48
I just don t know how people can be so cruel towards animals. I like to give a praise to Mr Mario Spiteri for taking action into r escueing these dogs and another praise go to the NGO.
It is so unbearable these poor dogs
Sylvia Zammit
Apr 25th 2009, 20:11
What mr.Borg says is truly shocking! How come this scum was able to clean up in time? Could he have had advance warning? Surely the persons who took the reports could - should - have followed up the repeated reports? Let us hope indeed that this time the case WILL be followed up, and justice done. We don't have the luxury of putting him in a cage, and letting him roast in the sun and go hungry unfortunately!But we do have a prison - and I hope he ends up there for a long strech!
dolores dimbleby
Apr 25th 2009, 19:29
Fox terriers or any sort of dog really can and should be aggressive at the hand that beats and starves him, I own a fox terrier bitch and she is the most loving and affectionate one towards me out of my three dogs, that's my reward for loving her to bits , this monster who did this should be put to shame by arresting him, put in a cage and have his photo on all the news papers then jail him and throw away the key, well done Dr. Mario Spiteri for getting this story out in the open, please make sure to get this man jailed. Sadly a lot of people know about such cases but are afraid to report the culprits to the police for fear of being terrorized by the monsters who commit such herondous crimes, can a decent person make a report of such cases without fear? somebody please tell me.
Andrew Calleja
Apr 25th 2009, 18:56
Having read this article, I am now full of anger towards this person, if you can call him a person after all! I believe that such people are not completely sane and if they are capable of carrying such deeds on animals, they for sure hold the psychological potential of doing harm to human beings. So yes in this case I agree a certain degree of punishment has to be made so that this person understands his misdeed. A huge fine is not enough. Think of it this way: If through the years he made a huge sum of money from this business (eg 10,000 euros) and gets fined less than that (eg. 5000) then he will for sure return to the same or a similar business. Therefore, jail time is necessary in this case, for the benefit of the individual, the animals and nonetheless society itself.
Marianna Galea Xuereb
Apr 25th 2009, 18:49
What a pity civilised countries are forbidden from giving such criminals a taste of their own medicine - even if just for a few days - by housing such animal abusers in cages small enough so that they can hardly stand AND feeding them only sparingly.
Gloria Bugeja
Apr 25th 2009, 18:41
Well done to the people who reported and to all who were involved in the rescue of these poor creatures! Let us hope that others who know of similar cases or any other form of cruelty to animals, will be encouraged to report them. Please let us know what happens to animals that have been rescued from such conditons and the strays that have been picked up from the streets, since all sanctuaries are full? What steps are going to be taken against this culprit? On occasions like these many animal lovers crop up. So please all those real animal lovers who can help, don't stop there, join one of the sanctuaries and together we will be able to save many many more animals!
Saviour Ellul
Apr 25th 2009, 18:26
Interesting to note that :
1) If I hurl abuse at the police or a public official for any reason I am more than likely to be hauled before the courts to answer for my actions.What did the police do about it in this case!
2) This is clearly a case of a low-life carrying an illegal business.A harrowing one but still a business.What are the financial authorities going to do about that ? If for nothing else to discourage similar 'entrepreneurs' by targeting what counts for them -their wallet!
3) I guess that this unsanitary 'breeding camp' of sorts was in a residential area.
That being the case the health authorities should ,by law ,investigate the incident and take legal action against the perpetrator of a biological health hazard .
4) Did this despicable character apply for a 'change of use' with MEPA for his premises to be converted to a canine breeding camp? If not, what is the enforcement section of MEPA going to do about it?
John F Borg
Apr 25th 2009, 17:55
This is sadly one of many similar cases. This situation has prevailed for a very long time, and this particular person was frequently reported to the authorities in the past. I remember my parents complaining about it in my youth, and for the past 20 years nothing really happened.
During the night the neighbours are frequently woken up by horrible and disturbing cries of dogs. However each time the case was reported to the health authorities, the perpetrator miraculously cleaned the compound and hid the evidence before the arrival of the health inspectors, who never reported any wrongdoings.
In the same yard a number of horses are also kept, in small garages. During the summer months the stench is unbearable. I really hope the authorities will also look into this matter.
Marcus L
Apr 25th 2009, 17:39
If this guy doesn't do some jail time, I'm organising a street protest!
martin chetcuti
Apr 25th 2009, 17:32
Offences on animals should be dealt equally as they where done on humans. ZERO tolerance on these these COWARDS.
Nathalie Camilleri
Apr 25th 2009, 17:15
So glad to see that something was done for these unfortunate loving creatures. No one has a right to make anyone suffer be it man or beast as all are God's creatures. I hope we see more such people in the hands of the law and given a tough sentence so as to serve as a deterrent to others who think they can get away with everything especially cruelty to the innocent! In my opinion this man should be locked up.
Well done
Edward Camilleri
Apr 25th 2009, 16:26
I agree with Ms. Magro, if the dog owner "hurled abuse as his dogs were being taken away" why wasn't he arrested? This monster is a danger to everyone. It is so disheartening to know that we have such criminals around who continue to abuse animals without the fear of severe punishment. This case should be used as an example by one of the MEP candidates to raise animal welfare awareness and help introduce severe penalties to such atrocities.
Unless severe punishment is given to this dog owner who was caught red handed, then it is difficult to prevent other animal abuse. Lets wake up and stop animal cruelty once and for all. There must be countless of other similar cases on these islands, so please I beg the courts to give the most severe punishment possible. This way only can we deter such heinous crimes against our friends.
g.c.Forte
Apr 25th 2009, 16:08
"The authorities are suspecting that these dogs where being bred to be used as bait and sparring dummies for fighting dogs" Do we have fighting dogs in Malta ? and if yes where are they keeping them? Nobody knows ? I hope that this MONSTER will co- operate with the police, and please feel no mercy. I have my doubt, and wish to ask, why his name being protected ? Is it true that in our law the maximum he can get is 460.00 euros (200.00 Lm) I wish to know because if yes, at least on every animal, and to keep him calm after the sentence, a 6 months in prison with hard labour will bring him in his senses, after put him under a psychiastrist for a indefinit time, because he really needs one.
Joe Grima
Apr 25th 2009, 15:43
congrats to all those involved in savaing these animals. The next step should be to file charges against the Birkirkara owner for the cruelty he unleashed on his dogs. The third step shoudl be for the courts to set an exemplary prison sentence as a clear warning to those who will ill treat animals in future. Next Parliament shoudl amend the relative laws to include hefty fines and lengthy prison sentences for thsoe who transgress.
Melaine Pisani
Apr 25th 2009, 14:06
Law is not hard enough with these people that torture animals. Even these that have fighting dogs shame on them bastards try and make money out of these poor creatures. God has to punish these people because here in Malta the law is not hard on NOBODY. I dont trust the law and if didnt believe so much in God i would go and take justice with my own hands, these people have to be punished.
Charles Micallef
Apr 25th 2009, 12:55
If the culprit / s are sent to jail they will still be in more comfortable surroundings than those poor animals and would also be fed three square meals a day which they do not deserve
They deserve exactly what some of the contributors wrote below, lock them in cages and see how they like it, but unfortunately in life there is one law for the animal and another one for those who abuse them.
M Mizzi
Apr 25th 2009, 11:54
I hope the person/s responsible gets a taste of his own medicine and is sent to jail.
This abuse can't be tolerated anymore and should stop once and for all.
Sylvia Zammit
Apr 25th 2009, 11:40
By the way - it's good to see the Department of Animal welfare doing what it was created to do - to see to the welfare of abused animals, not just to clear the streets of stray dogs just because the people who live there hate animals, and keep complaining and reporting! I do have some burning questions though - what's been happening to all the dogs removed from the streets? What will happen to the survivors of this 'concentration camp' who have no place to go to? When are we getting the national sanctuary we have been hearing about? I do know that many people don't report cruelty because they know there is nowhere else to put the abused animal!
robert Mifsud
Apr 25th 2009, 11:33
When I read these stories,I usually cannot believe humans beings here in Malta can be so heartless and cruel to these poor creatures.Its horrific enough to keep dogs in such confined spaces,without food and water,let alone breeding them as bait for dog fights.Just anything goes for money -making ! Its just shameful and disgusting and prosit to the neighbours who reported such cruelty.
Anthony Mizzi
Apr 25th 2009, 11:29
May the culprit not be accused of one crime, but the crime multiplied by 25 times , a crime against each individual creature and for once really gets justice compared to the crime and atrocities he committed .
Justice should not only be done but be seen to be done and serve a deterrent.
For it is in giving that we receive. - St. Francis of Assisi
J Scerri
Apr 25th 2009, 11:27
I think it's a case of locking up the culprit in a similar cage and enjoy the sun
Sylvia Zammit
Apr 25th 2009, 11:25
It could be the Maltese equivalent of a puppy mill! While some people are still fools enough to pay to get a dog - instead of rescuing an unwanted one - breeding goes on without any form of control.Last year I was at my vet's and could not help overhearing a converstaion between 2 Pug owners. First the boasting about how much their pug was 'worth'! then they were talking about where they got it.One of them actually described how she'd got her puppy from a man who had a garage full of them - they were in boxes with their puppies, and he asked her to choose 1 she wanted.To my regret i did not ask where this 'businessman' could be contacted.At around 50 euro each, he was making a nice profit off his pugs!I do hope thois scum from B@Kara gets what he's due this time!
martin gauci
Apr 25th 2009, 11:23
How absolutely revolting . How could man stoop to such cruelty. Hope this guy is taken up to court and given a hefty fine. Not just a conditional discharge. This case is a good link to the gang who organize dog fights.
Franco Farrugia
Apr 25th 2009, 11:16
May I offer a suggestion? Let's build a cage, large enough to fit this monster who was keeping these dogs in this manner, and the size of the cage has to be proportionate with the size of the dogs with the cages they were in.
And let's leave him there with little food, day and night, scorching sun and rain ... and let's hear his abuse, then!
And then, we have people writing in these comments, who think that they are themselves God's gift to Malta, who think that they are well-educated people with prominent positions, who grumble consistently about dogs being a nuisance to people.
But my question today is: don't we find these barbaric acts truely offensive? Whenever something like this happens, I feel sorry I am a human being because basically, I dislike my own species when things such as this are reported.
Congratulations to Dr Mario Spiteri and team. Congratulations for having saved the animals' lives.
To the general public, a plea: how about visiting the animal sanctuaries that have homed these dogs and give them donations in the form of food, dog collars, dog bowls and other necessary things? That is one way of helping.
Emmanuel Ebejer
Apr 25th 2009, 11:12
I hope that's not the end of the story. May I suggest giving their owner a taste of his own medicine.
Charles Micallef
Apr 25th 2009, 10:57
It is about high time that these breeders are regulated and certified that they are fit to breed these animals in the appropriate facilities and that random inspections are conducted periodically to confirm that they are not mistreating the animals
We have a number of breeders on the Island whose main interests are solely financial and have no feelings for the poor animals whatsoever…...!
Martin Farrugia
Apr 25th 2009, 10:53
Fox Terriers ferocious? They are the most good natured dogs. I have one and you cannot have a better companion. This cruelty should be investigated and the so-called owner should be put in a cage for the rest of his life.
Melvin Tonna
Apr 25th 2009, 10:48
Thanks to the police and the department for Animal Protection for that act. We really appreciate your work. I hope that the people who are responsible for this brutal act will be heftily fined and not be given a bail of simply 100 euro or less. By the way, the dogs really look ferocious!!!!!!! U halluna!!!!
ISTHU!!!!!!!! X'ARUKAZA!!!!!!!!!!!!
James Saliba
Apr 25th 2009, 10:48
This is a VERY cruil attitude against animals and hope the authorities will take harsh actions against this immoral person or whatever he is.
John Lauri
Apr 25th 2009, 10:47
This is vile ! This evil owner of these lovely, gentle dogs, should receive nothing less than a maximum prison term, that the law permits !
Sadly, it seems that these and similar cases are happening all to often !
In reading stories like, this I am reminded by what Mahatma Gandhi once said : The moral development of a nation can be judged by the way that its animals are treated !
Whatever happened to the dog being man's best friend ?????
J Oatmon
Apr 25th 2009, 10:21
I wonder what sanctions the 'owner keeper' of these dogs will get from the failed Maltese justice system ?
I expect all he will receive for his undoubted long term cruelty, is a relatively small fine and yet another suspended sentence. This will allow this person to setup his operation in secret, in some remote piece of land, to which he has no title to anyway!
Ian Causon
Apr 25th 2009, 10:14
What about prosecuting the owner? Why is nothing mentioned about this? Were the police even on the scene?
edward bartolo
Apr 25th 2009, 10:08
The thrill of violence is the worst of all plagues afflicting humanity.
Alison Bezzina
Apr 25th 2009, 10:06
It is taking every form of self control inside me not to lash out and shout bloody murder against this guy and whoever dares to defend him. Instead I'll take comfort in the fact that so much seems to be happening with regards to Animal Welfare - FINALLY and ABOUT TIME TO. Finally these stories are being condemed and splashed all over the papers. Hopefully the courts will take them just as seriously. These are REAL crimes, unlike the flashing 0f breasts in a strictly adult environment!
Andrew Calleja
Apr 25th 2009, 10:04
Throw the guy in a cage and let him rot...
Andrew Gatt
Apr 25th 2009, 10:03
What a disgusting example of animal cruelty. I hope the book is thrown at this barbarian owner, and that these "bait for fighting dogs" claims are investigated fully. Given the quantity of terriers, this could be the thread that leads to the unravelling of a whole network.
Well done to these caring volunteers for the sterling work they do.
Maria H. Muscat
Apr 25th 2009, 09:50
I hope the owner of this "concentration camp" does not get away with a 50 euro fine. Such cruelty to these defenceless creatures should be punished and the owner should know what it's like to be imprisoned.
charmaine magro
Apr 25th 2009, 09:43
Quoting: 'The 43-year-old owner from Birkirkara, who hurled abuse as his dogs were being taken away...'... why wasn't this disgusting man arrested , may I ask? Our judicial system needs to start being harder and much harsher on these people - yes jail them, for years if need be, maybe one day cruelty to animals will stop.