Saturday, 4th July 2009
Dog rescued from cliff ledge
A member of the Civil Protection Department during the rescue operation. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli.
A husky found abandoned down a Zurrieq cliff face with a 30-foot rope tied around its neck was rescued in a 45-minute operation yesterday.
The dog was discovered balancing on a tiny ledge, two storeys below the edge of the cliff, looking hungry and scared. It was hoisted up by Civil Protection Department rescuers who abseiled down for it.
Godric Marston, from the Animal Welfare Department, said the dog, which could not be more than a year old, must have spent at least three days on the ledge.
The rescue operation was handled by personnel from this department and Noah's Ark sanctuary staff, who were on site with their animal ambulance. The husky, which has a beautiful fluffy coat albeit matted and dirty after its ordeal, was very grateful to its rescuers and wagged its tail. It was extremely dehydrated and instantly lapped up the water given to it.
Those involved in the rescue have two theories: Either the dog was thrown off the cliff in the hope that the rope around its neck would suffocate it - but instead it luckily landed on the ledge; or else it was hoisted down.
Department director Mario Spiteri said the team was alerted to the dog's plight yesterday when a kind-hearted farmer heard the faint yelps of the terrified dog and called for help.
"The husky was discovered standing on a cliff's ledge barely big enough for him to fit... The poor dog was parched thanks to a monster of some mean sort who tried to dispose of the husky in a despicable way," Dr Spiteri said.
Fabio Ciappara, Noah's Ark founder, said the husky had now been seen by the vet and considering its ordeal was generally fine. All it needed was a good wash and a good brush.
"But at the moment it is resting and recovering. The poor dog is very scared," Mr Ciappara said.
Whoever wants to home the dog, which has a friendly demeanour, can call Noah's Ark on 7973 0900.
RSS
Comments
Adding to that I think that this thing of prank calls is only an excuse.
I am seriously worried that this so called animal ambulance service is already in DIRE STRAITS, like the two animal ambulance services before it due to lack of man power.
It is useless to try and magnify something when one is already showing that there are already serious problems hindering this useful and very needed service for the animals. The indirect access to the service already shows that the service will only (if lucky) last just like the other two before it. Animal Santuaries should all open up their doors to make the animal ambulance service a success as Noah's Ark will very very soon be gasping for more space even if one has to go through all the red tape to get in touch with them.
Without the appropriate man power and proper planning I am afraid that animal lovers like myself will once again be disappointed . Man power means more animal ambulances as otherwise the person running the present ambulance will very very soon be exhausted and fed up.
I sincerely hope all the bad things in this world to happen to the responsible of this act!
if so why did the owner fail to come forward
Meta kien hemm rapporti fuq il gazzetti dwar abuzi fuq it tfal dejjem kien hemm hafna kummenti kontra l abbuzi fuq it tfal u opinjonijiet dwar il ligi ghandha thares id drittijiet tat -tfal.
L-ebda abbuzi m ghandu jinghata gieh la fuq it tfal u lanqas fuq l animali.
I would like to make a few suggestions which I am more than sure will benefit all animals in distress.
a, The mobile phone number 79730900 should be written on both sides of the animal ambulance instead telling people to phone the police headquarters or the Director of Animal Welfare (with no disrespect at all).
In an emergency one has to get assistance as fast as possible and would not like to beat about the bush, Every second counts.
In my days as director with Animal Rescue (Malta), I also found the much needed help when rescuing animals, the esteemed C Rifle Company of the Armed Forces of Malta. I remember that one of the dogs that they helped us rescued down the Xorb L-Ghagin cliffs was named Rifle in their honour.
C Rifle Company can be reached on their phone number 22491185 and ask for their O.C.
Once again prosit to the Civil Protection and Noah's Ark Animal Ambulance
However I still would like to stress my appeal to the local authorities to enforce laws against animal cruelty as this has been a wake up call for quite some time now.
There have been many reported cases on similar despicable acts however I feel that harsh penalties weren't being given for such committed crimes.
Congractulations to all those who work/volunteer in this field, the farmer and Civil Protection Dept who saved this adorable creature. I hope this husky finds a loving owner to make up for the gruelling experience.
You are right Franco
It reminds one of that callous murder a few months ago where it was on the media that the person's dog was killed several months before.
We used to think that Malta was one of the safest countries, but it seems that it is losing this very desirable character.
I do hope that if the courts will be very severe with the culprit.
reno calleja.
I do hope that if the courts will be very severe with the culprit.
reno calleja.
Those who imported this Northern breed to Malta are the first being cruel to animals.
This breed is renowned for its capability to resist COLD but not HEAT.
I had a Husky which lived 17years here in Canada, but even so, in Summer it used to suffer...
By the way, the dog must be a MALAMUTE not a Husky... Its fur is too long and thick.
J.N.Scerri
CANADA
Prosit CPD and all involved.
This is frightening, you know. You must be crazy to do something like this. So, consider the kind of people that we are living among.
Consider also the fact that you are putting the Civil Protection people at unnecessary risk, by the way they had to go down to rescue that poor dog.
Consider also that these same people could have been needed elsewhere at that precise time: lives could have been lost, when you come to think of it. And what if these lives were those of your own kin?
What I am trying to say is that this is a very serious matter. Very, very serious! Ok, we don't consider it so because it was not our dog, it was not a dog we knew, and we are not in the Civil Protection so hey, why should I care and worry? But is this the society that we are now living in, in tiny Malta?
Good job CPD et al.
An eye for an eye???
Perhaps the person who did this should have a rope round their neck and be dropped 30 feet over a cliff.
At least then there would be no more cruelty to animals by them - or to other humans (if they are truly human??)
No, better by far to print a large photograph as the front page of your newspaper to name and shame them - and please, forbid them from ever owning animals again.
In this day and age, the least you can do is give it to the dogs home. The cowardly act of trying to hang it is sickenning. Have we a law on this issue? I am sure the dogs owner can be traced.
This is the result of the sad situation of animal-welfare in Malta. If we had proper legislation with proper deterrants for those vile creatures called human beings who carry out such a thing, perhaps, only perhaps,such things would not happen.
I was going to express my hope that nothing will be spared to bring to book the perpetrator/s of such acts, but on second thoughts, .... what for? What is the maximum that a person may get from the courts for such an inhumane act? A few days in prison at best?
I mean ... can you honestly stop for just one minute and visualise yourself, stuck for three days, perched on a tiny ledge of a cliff, without water and anything to eat, in scorching heat and absolute darkness at night, on your own, crying your heart out? ... Yes, that's what this husky went through.
Once again, well done to all who helped the animal!
Having said that... why was it tethered in the first place?
If we would be cruel to animals we would act with cruelty towards our fellow man as well.