Ariadne Massa
Dog rescued from cliff ledge
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.
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Lori Massini Morgan
Jul 9th 2009, 09:07
THANK GOD THE POOR DOG WAS SAVED. I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE WILL BE FOUND. IF IT WERE ME, I WOULD TOSS HIM/HER OVER THE CLIFF AND LET THEM TO DIE. THEY DO NOT DESERVE TO BE RESCUED !!!
Mark Zerafa
Jul 7th 2009, 22:13
I quite agree with Charles Grech.
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.
Sandro Zahra
Jul 6th 2009, 14:24
i do not understand such actions since to get 'rid' of this dog it is very easy ..... one will just need to make a small advert (which will cost less than €5).
I sincerely hope all the bad things in this world to happen to the responsible of this act!
D Bugeja
Jul 6th 2009, 09:42
Mark Saliba
if so why did the owner fail to come forward
d bugeja
Jul 6th 2009, 09:40
Vince Tonna
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.
Lawrence Magrin
Jul 5th 2009, 20:57
Well done to all rescuers concerned.
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
Rachel Saliba
Jul 5th 2009, 15:34
There are two sides of every coin...either some inhuman fellow committed this vile act, or else the dog might have strayed away which caused it to end up in such a situation. One cannot know unless further proof is given and investigation is done.
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.
Galea. L
Jul 5th 2009, 10:23
Franco Farrugia
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.
Fleur Spiteri
Jul 5th 2009, 10:12
What a bastard you have to be to do something like this ! If the person who did this had enough sense in his tiny brain, he would at least have taken the dog to SPCA if he wanted to get rid of it. I wish upon this person tenfold what he wished for his dog !!
T Aquilina
Jul 5th 2009, 10:11
I cannot help thinking that the number of 'pets for sale' does not appear at all sustainable for such a small country. I hope the Dept for Animal Welfare will look into this 'easy money' activity. Those who buy these poor creatures are not always genuine animal lovers and will just get rid of their pet simply because they are tired of it, or did not train it well with the resultant consequences, etc etc..
Vince Tonna
Jul 5th 2009, 09:42
Fuq id-drittijiet ta' l-annimali nsibu hafna nies li jikkummentaw izda fuq id-drittijiet tat-tfal li jridu jghixu hajja trankwilla u minghajr ebda periklu (bhal kazijiet ta' pedofelija) ftit kummenti nisimghu!!!!
Mark Saliba
Jul 5th 2009, 03:34
That poor dog, I'm just happy they found him in time and he's well. I think we're jumping the gun by accusing the owner of the dog of this whole ordeal though. If you were a dog owner and wanted to get rid of your pet you wouldn't tie a noose around it and throw it off a cliff! I think someone may have had it in for the owner and did this as part of a sadistic way to get back at at him or her and 'send a message'.
Tony Borg
Jul 5th 2009, 03:15
Maybe the dog can be used to track its owner. Dogs seem to have a very good sense to find their way back home. Then the authorities can ask some questions about this incident.
Paul Borg
Jul 5th 2009, 02:55
Hold on, Hold on, Hold on!!!! Don't you all jump to conclusion that someone must have done this deliberately. During rambles round the countryside of Malta I came across innumerable instances of dogs tied to long ropes/chains on roofs, in yards, outside houses and garages and even tied to trucks and cars, supposedly to act as guard dogs, able to move around some distance without the chance of them wondering off. I think this is a despicable practice as dogs can still harm themselves and others being tied to these long ropes, and another example of cruelty to animals . In this case therefore is it not just possible that such a dog to tear the rope or the rope come apart at the pony where it had been moored, thus leaving the dog to wander off with a long piece of rope tied to its neck. Having been tied up in that manner probably for all its life the animal would have no "road sense" and therefore as it wandered along with the rope trailing behind it got into difficulty and fell off the cliff. Wait until all the facts are in.
reo calleja
Jul 4th 2009, 23:01
Hats off to the civil protection people. The police should not find it difficult to trace the heartless and cruel owner of this dog. True our police force have a lot of problems in its lap and perhaps using precious time to catch this cruel, cold calculated person who seemed to have wanted to kill his dog, may be asking to much
I do hope that if the courts will be very severe with the culprit.
reno calleja.
reo calleja
Jul 4th 2009, 23:01
Hats off to the civil protection people. The police should not find it difficult to trace the heartless and cruel owner of this dog. True our police force have a lot of problems in its lap and perhaps using precious time to catch this cruel, cold calculated person who seemed to have wanted to kill his dog, may be asking to much
I do hope that if the courts will be very severe with the culprit.
reno calleja.
Joseph Micallef
Jul 4th 2009, 21:57
@Joseph Vassallo - are you suggesting that the dog tied the rope to its neck by itself. Remember we are not talking about a leash here but a rope for goodness sake!
John N Scerri
Jul 4th 2009, 21:39
I agree with those being cruel to animals being punished.
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
godric marston
Jul 4th 2009, 20:31
sorry the bhusky is a male just confirmed and we called him cliff.Good luck cliff for finding a good home
godric marston
Jul 4th 2009, 20:23
the husky is so friendly that although he was scared to death he still wag his tail by the way its a she and if somebody adopts it he has to take good care of it because fabio and the animal welfare is going to monitor the progress of the husky .As usual the animal welfare keep monitoring all the cases they are involved in.
v.pulis
Jul 4th 2009, 19:49
At times like these I really wish there was a hell. Meanwhile all we can do is create one on earth for monsters such as the person who made this dog suffer when and if s/he's caught.
Stephen Florian
Jul 4th 2009, 19:09
Introduce the embedded microchip identification technology, make this obligatory for all cats and dogs on the island and we will see less of this cruelty and madness. This barbaric act shows there are sick minds and psycopaths on the loose. So much for kind hearted Malta.! It makes my blood boil to think what that poor creature went through. If someone knows who the owner was then it is their moral and civil duty to go to the police and file a report . It would be fair to see this sick mind get what he or she deserves. Barbaric acts like these keep recurring and Maltese law is too slow in reacting and almost toothless when it comes to serve justice. Acivate animal welfare now !
Keith D'Amato
Jul 4th 2009, 18:51
This is disgusting to say the least. Hope the perpetrator gets the worst.
Mr.John Taylor
Jul 4th 2009, 18:09
I often watch animal planet and apparently in animal in a case of animal cruelty there is a fixed fine of 20,000 € and a 6 months PRISON SENTENCE. now why can't the Maltese follow suit when this person >>IF? he or she is guilty of this senceless act do like wise, but reading the article the person(s) responsible have to be proven guilty first before further taken the matter further. I'll be very interesting to follow this case for my own records as an animal carer.
charles grech
Jul 4th 2009, 18:08
Lest we forget Rene Scicluna is still paying fines for giving the best he could to help sick, injured and abandoned animals. People like Rene should be given state aid to continue with their work and not thrown in prison for just being kind to animals. Animals need each and every one of us to help out instead of have the state inventing ways of how to hinder the work of these missionaries. John Bundy was very right - veru pajjiz tal- Mickey Mouse.
Prosit CPD and all involved.
E Desira
Jul 4th 2009, 17:18
Fejn huma ligijiet favur l-annimali?? U dritijiet lejn dawn il-hlejqiet?? Min jinqabad jaghmel mohqrija fuq kull tip t'annimal ghandu jigi mharek u jehel pini severi mhux just multa ta xi hmerija jew sentenza sospiza!! Xbajt nisma fuq il-kacca u l-insib li hija pastazata li jonsbu u jikacjaw....u fuq dawn inies li jahqru l-annimali kif gib u lehaq qadt ma nismaw xejn!! Dawn l-affarijiet ghandhom jarawhom il-pulizija flimkien mal wardens biex ma jsirhux u mhux il-wardens qedin hemm biss biex iwahlu xi citazzjoni bla sens ta traffiku biex jimlew il-but!! Nistaqsi min huma l-annimali jekk hux il-bniedem jew il-hlejqiet lohra!!!! Proset kbira lis-civil protection u lil kull min ta semhu biex jinheles dan il-kelb stupend!! Btw well done @ philip pace & galea l !!!
r sammut
Jul 4th 2009, 17:00
Well done to all and in the nick of time! Recovering the shock this dog will make a wonderful life companion to whoever is the lucky person to adopt it! If any of those involved in the rescue, care to adopt this dog they should have first preference!
Franco Farrugia
Jul 4th 2009, 16:49
Are we sure this is not some sort of vendetta against the dog's owner? For, somehow I cannot imagine anyone doing this kind of thing with his/her companion!
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?
Galea. L
Jul 4th 2009, 16:02
Those who did this deserve to ba punished in the same manner.
Good job CPD et al.
Stephen Peters
Jul 4th 2009, 15:39
I have lived on Gozo for 6 years - but when I read such stories as this am glad that I have decided to move away.
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.
Nicholas Schembri
Jul 4th 2009, 15:01
At home we have a mongrel that was saved from being put down within 15 min. (litter of 9) Who orriginally bought this Husky must have thought he/she would look cool walking it. Well my friends, dogs need care attention and skill. If it misbehaves, most probably you are the problem not the dog.
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.
Franco Farrugia
Jul 4th 2009, 14:42
A big well done to the authorities and to all the people who were involved in the saving of this animal.
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!
emanuel magrin
Jul 4th 2009, 14:42
This is the second time round that a malamut husky was abandoned and badly treated this year. Last January the Paola police station informed us that they found a puppy that was badly injured. On arriving at the Police station we found that the puppy was a pure malamut husky that had a broken hand and had a wire tied around its neck. The most effective solution to stop cruelty is to STOP BREEDERS IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE ALL ANIMALS MICROCHIPED.
Maria Pedersen
Jul 4th 2009, 14:26
Animals have feelings also. So if the owner is found, maybe he or she should be punished the same way to realise how that poor creature must have felt. Shame on you. Thank God for creating animals not only for giving us joy and company but also most animals are important for nature too. Have a nice day from sunny Sweden whilst listening to the birds from the surrounding trees and watching my lovely cats yawning.
Sylvia Zammit
Jul 4th 2009, 13:42
Well Done to all involved in the rescue of this poor dog! As for the bastard responsible - he will probably get away with it! After all - this is Malta!
Emmanuel Ebejer
Jul 4th 2009, 13:30
And we call dogs animals. ALE Police needs to be beefed up in the attempt to stop cruelty to animals.
Joseph Vassallo
Jul 4th 2009, 13:22
How do you all know this dog didn't just go AWOL from his owner and get into trouble? I can think of several ways that a thirty-foot rope can handicap a dog and get it into dire situations, especially where sharp rocks can trap the rope and cause the dog to pull violently against it in trying to release it; the poor anamil isn't going to be savvy enough or even aware that it happened to be on the edge of a cliff. I think you have all rendered the owner tish-scared of coming forward.
Having said that... why was it tethered in the first place?
G Seychell
Jul 4th 2009, 13:16
Good job by this Samaritian's---CPD
stefania soler
Jul 4th 2009, 12:57
If and when the person who committed this cruel, abhorrent deed is found he should be left on that cliff edge for a couple of days just to get the feeling of what he did before hopefully being inflicted with a severe punishment. i'm still puzzled at the lenghts people go through to get rid of their pets. I suppose if this person put an advert in the paper or spread the word a home would have certainly been found for this poor dog.
J.Azzopardi
Jul 4th 2009, 12:52
Yes if traced the owner has some explaining to do, however how can anyone accuse the owner of this brutal act. Do any of the bloggers here have any proof ? From hearsay the killing of dogs in this manner is not the first case and could be a sick act of vengeance against an owner, a means of getting rid of a "pet" or pure animal cruelty. Obviously it is very confusing who to refer to as "animal".
Vincent Galea
Jul 4th 2009, 12:16
I and many others like me condemn totally the infliction of suffering upon our brother animals and the curtailment of their enjoyment, life , liberty and the quest for happiness.
If we would be cruel to animals we would act with cruelty towards our fellow man as well.
Joseph Apap (nsw).
Jul 4th 2009, 12:15
Without point fingers at anyone because as yet we don't know what the circumstances are, however we say a BIG WELL done to these guys @ CPD these are the real people that matters. Good on you from Sydney Australia., If only we hand more people like these guys.
Robert Borg
Jul 4th 2009, 12:10
Ghal dan-nies m'hemmx kastigi??!?! Ara annimal, kreatura innocenti, ghalfejn haqqu jghaddi minn dan il-martirju! Allahares ma jkunux dawn il-hlejqiet biex isebbhu d-dinja u jferrhuna ghax kieku d-dinja kienet nies biss kieku ... Nies bla qalb!!!!!!
steve elliott,uk
Jul 4th 2009, 11:44
Can we be sure that this was an act of some sick person or was this lovely animal just trying his hand at a bungee jump that went wrong? Well done CPD
Adrian Camilleri
Jul 4th 2009, 11:43
@Philip: Indeed.
jimmy Vella
Jul 4th 2009, 11:16
Surely some body must know the owner of this husky dog there is not exactly thousands of these dogs roaming around Malta. The owner has to be found and prosecuted for this abhorrent vile act ,and sent to prison for a long spell
C.caruana
Jul 4th 2009, 11:01
Shame ,on he who wanted to dispose of such a sweet faced dog in this most cruel manner!!!Just keep in mind dear fellow who was responsible for this vile act ,that what goes around comes around.Please before embarking on the sacred duty of rearing any pet remember that you are bound for life to take care of him.If you are not ready to do so,forget the idea of having a pet. Animals are not toys. They are living things.They need US to look after them .
angelo camilleri
Jul 4th 2009, 10:57
someone must know the owner of this poor dog, i hope they will report them to the police and eventually severly punished for this cruel act.
Michele Vigar
Jul 4th 2009, 10:56
Poor doggy to go through that horrible ordeal! I am sickened. Well done to all those involved in the rescue. Let's hope the husky will somehow regain trust in us people somehow...
philip pace
Jul 4th 2009, 10:28
I sincerely wish the perpetrator of this vile act all the worst things to him.