Cat dies after PVC pipe is wrapped around its neck

Clyde Farrugia

Oct 21st 2010, 21:14

My cat was saved about a year and a half ago by a very kind woman, again near ST Microelectronics... It took her a year to trust humans. Finally her trauma is over, she trust me, and can finally catch her without her getting paranoid. I wonder why. Apparently she went through a similar faith as this poor creature.

Point is, aren't there any surveillance cameras around there? Some psychos have been running around the area. Something needs to be done.

Reuben Micallef

Jul 7th 2009, 14:00

May I suggest to all those who have annimal welfare at heart to carry some cat/dog food and a bottle of water in our cars,this way we can give food and water(especially in this scorching sun) to stray animals that we may encounter while driving around and speaking from experience there are alot .

While I take this opportunity to call on the govt to introduce more serious penalties for those caught doing these macabre doings,I would also call for a ban on the importation of animals that are not suitable for our country such as huskies etc etc .

Melvin Tonna

Jul 6th 2009, 21:38

Ma nistax ma nhallix kumment fuq dan l-article u se niktbu bil-Malti ghax johrog hafna ahjar...qed nitlob bil-qawwa lill-awtoritajiet biex jaghmlu minn kollox u jaqbdu min ghamel dan l-att tat-tkexkix u jekk jista' jkun jaghmlulu l-istess halli jkun jaf xi jhoss hu meta jaghmel atti tal-biza bhal dawn!!! Kas wara iehor u lil dawn il-povri annimali ma jridu jhalluhom bi kwiethom b'xejn! Ghal dawn in-nies irresponsabbli u bla ras jekk joghgobkom sibu xi haga x'taghmlu b'hajjitkom u hallulna l-annimali fejn huma! Nirringrazzja lill-awtoritajiet ta' xoghlhom.

I apologise for venting my anger this way...I nearly cried out loud when I saw this terrible act :(:(:(

Gerry Cowie

Jul 6th 2009, 20:17

@Charles Grixti - I expected your type of response. A simple comparison has been made betweeen how cruelty to animals is treated compared to cruelty to human beings. My agenda is to promote the importance of human life - including your own. What exactly is your agenda? Either you have failed to read what I actually wrote, or else you have chosen to ignore it with a spin of your own on the matter. I simply drew a parallel between animals and humans. Please re-read carefully what I said and then tell me where I actually said: " taking a stand against animal cruelty and legislating against it (is) cheapening human life?" @ Emma Xerrri - I cannot believe that you put animals before yourself! I am very saddened by this concentration on animal life to the almost utter exclusion of human beings! I abhor cruelty to animals. I simply feel that there is too much emphasis on animals and not enough on humans. It is perfectly fair to draw a parallel between cruelty to animals and the subject of abortion. The amount of blogs on here which are so animal-focussed and, in some cases, anti-human, is most alarming.

Franco Farrugia

Jul 6th 2009, 20:17

@ r. spiteri - May I suggest that you stick to the issue at hand? Take a look at the photo once again, and stop complaining about things that you don't like! The issue at hand is cruelty to animals and not about a few mild misdemeanours of those who are kind enough, perhaps quite unlike you, to look after cats and give them nourishment. Stop grumbling and do something worthwhile for those that are vulnerable: babies, born or unborn, old people, sick people, and yes, animals!

r.spiteri

Jul 6th 2009, 18:27

while i condemn this act without any reservations.i also condemn the supposed cat lovers that buy whiskas for their beloved cats and then let them go and litter in other peoples gardens.it`s disgusting,whatever you plant dies plus you have to shovel the pooh.i am not against cats but their nasty owners.

GiovDeMartino@M. Saliba

Jul 6th 2009, 18:03

No, Martin, I would not send these monsters to prison. I would do to them exactly what they did to the poor animal. No more and no less.But for heaven's sake, stop bringing in catholicism on every occasion. After all you find these monsters everywhere, but you also find thousands of others who go out of their way to help and love animals.

Francelle Pace Agius

Jul 6th 2009, 17:09

when are we going to take such heartless cruelty seriously and effective rules be fixed or is the fact that animals dnt have the right to vote is shining bright in the eyes of those responsible convincing them not to take any action for someone who cant give any power in return??? in case i think they really need to worry somehow because seeing such innocent creatures being ignored i am the first one to put my voting document in the bin!!!!!!!!!

charlesgrech

Jul 6th 2009, 16:27

@ Ms Miriam Williams.

Agree 100% with Ms. Williams. A direct three digit telephone number is what is needed to avoid unnecessary wasting of precious time during an emergency. Further more the Animal ambulance should also be equipped with emergency blue rotating/flashing lights and a siren like the Animal Ambulance owned by the former Animal Rescue Malta and like the ones owned by SFFA Malta.

charlesgrech

Jul 6th 2009, 16:27

@ Ms Miriam Williams. Agree 100% with Ms. Williams. A direct three digit telephone number is what is needed to avoid unnecessary wasting of precious time during an emergency. Further more the Animal ambulance should also be equipped with emergency blue rotating/flashing lights and a siren like the Animal Ambulance owned by the former Animal Rescue Malta and like the ones owned by SFFA Malta.

Sandro Zahra

Jul 6th 2009, 14:22

I think we need to replace the word 'human' with 'animal' ....

MGrech

Jul 6th 2009, 09:40

I think we're a very sick nation indeed - but hardly surprising considering our nation's selfish attitude in almost anything we do. Just a few examples: road behaviour (both drivers are pedestrians), hunting, horse riding, village feasts ... the list goes on and on....!

d bugeja

Jul 6th 2009, 09:27

I don t know how some people think that human are more superior to animals. This cat had suffered just as much pain and fear just as if any human being had been treated in this matter too. If anyone knows any abuse to animals speak out and report them. Reading this article and the one of the husky made me really sad. could there be any connection as these events taking place near each other Kirkop/ Zurrieq. hope the person responsible be caught and will be given the same treatment he gave to these animals.

Even the karozzin horses being left all day in the sun. that is also abuse to animals with the approval of the authorities. would it cost too much if adequate tents are made.

a. sciberras

Jul 6th 2009, 09:06

and we call ourselves catholics!

Marvic Attard Gialanze

Jul 6th 2009, 08:47

Strange isn't it? The Egyptians adored their cats as they protected their valuable grain stores from vermin. Our so called progressive nation delights in hurting animals for the sheer pleasure of it. If the perp is caught just push a plastic drainage pipe down his neck to see how he likes it! It is amazing just how many pathetic and mentally sick people we have in Malta. When such abusers are caught they need to have hefty fines and a jail term slapped on to serve as an example to others with such deranged thoughts in their tiny brains.

Miriam Williams

Jul 5th 2009, 22:42

Regarding the ambulance service the article states "Those who require ambulance services to rescue animals were urged to call their locality's police depot." What if I need to rescue an animal which is not in my locality. The introduction of an ambulance service is to be applauded but wouldn't it be more practical if there was one easily remembered number (maybe with just three digits) that a person could call, as is the case with the human ambulance service. In an emergency situation where time could mean the difference between life and death, the call needs to get through as speedily as possible without one having to mess about sorting out telephone numbers. The number should then be well publicised.

Miriam Williams

Jul 5th 2009, 22:29

Why do some comments try to give the impression that animals and humans have to compete for compassion. Are we not allowed to care about both? This act is deplorable whether it was committed against a human or a non-human animal. In fact, I am sure that this type of sick individual who can do this to a cat will have no compunctions about harming a vulnerable human being. Those who are cruel to animals MUST be caught - surely someone must know these perpetrators. Then they must be punished, and while I will not go into details of what the punishment should be, it should fit the crime and be enough of a deterrent to make others think before harming another innocent creature. In the meantime, as a sort of collective reparation for what a member of our species has done, how about each of us who cares doing something for animals, putting out some food & water for strays, donating to a sanctuary - especially our time, giving up meat for a day (or longer!) and most important of all passing on the message of kindness and respect for ALL animals (human & non-human)to our children.

J. Micallef

Jul 5th 2009, 21:42

@ Fleur- Thank you very much for your useful information.

Fleur Spiteri

Jul 5th 2009, 21:05

Janine - the info i have is the following

Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary is providing an emergency ambulance service on a 24/7 basis for any injured stray dog or cat in Malta!

The veterinary attention and aftercare in accordance with the agreement done with the government will also be provided.

The procedure to follow when an injured stray requires assistance is to call either the Police on 21224001 or the Animal Welfare Department 25905302

J. Micallef

Jul 5th 2009, 20:55

Does anyone know the phone number of the animal ambulance please?

Emanuel Magrin

Jul 5th 2009, 18:09

"Not to hurt our humble brethren (animals) is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission - to be of service to them whenever they require it. If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men".

St. Francis of Assisi

J. Sammut

Jul 5th 2009, 18:01

While animal cruelty is despicable, I find it rather deplorable that the same people condemning the 'monsters' that perpetrated this act do not express the same level of concern for the civilians getting killed on a daily basis. Hell, not even the stupidly meager sentences sometimes delivered to rapists do not generate this amount of passionate declarations of hate. Before addressing any animal related laws, legislature should vie to attribute more value to human life.

Fleur Spiteri

Jul 5th 2009, 15:43

To John Portelli - i suppose that this cat happily rolled itself in carpeneter'sglue before getting itself stuck in a PVC pipe right ?? Go back to your box and stay there. If you honestly believe that this type of situaton is an accident and not a case of pure stupidity by us 'humans' - if you can call us that - you are one of the many IGNORANT !! I am utterly disgusted at comments like yours. These things have been happening in Malta for years......and it is many a time suggested that it is an accident. Open your eyes and wake up man !

Mark Vella Bardon

Jul 5th 2009, 15:40

Acts like these only prove that evil specimens of the human race will stop at nothing when it comes to defenceless creatures, human or animal alike. They are discouraged from ill treating humans because of enforcement of the law in our country, or so it seems. There are other countries where even human beings are tortured with impunity. We have to go to all lengths to ensure that such acts are not encouraged. The only way to do that is to enforce the law to its maximum extent by identifying the culprits at whatever cost. It is the only way to ensure a safe society. Even St. Gorg Preca was concerned that "who harms animals will harm humans". I wish that it meant that he was concerned about the animals too!

Emma Xerri

Jul 5th 2009, 15:26

When it comes to taking sides, I will take the side of the underdog or cat anytime.

Humans have far too long used and abused animals and the whole planet. There are animals and plants becoming extinct on a daily basis because of the rapaciousness of homo-sapiens. For example, the last census of Siberian tigers shows that there are only 500 left in the wild. Now balance that with the billions of humans on this planet.

Also, there is no biblical basis for our assumption that humans are anything special. On the contrary the book of Ecclesiastes is emphatic that we are not. To say otherwise is just human arrogance and ignorance.

We are just another animal and time will prove us to be an utter failure. For example, the dinosaurs ruled the earth for around 65 million years before they became extinct. According to scientists, humans have only been around for one million years and look at the extent of destruction!

Truly, this planet is burdened by our species, for we are like a fast spreading fungus choking the life out of it. Nature will cry a sigh of relief when it sees the back of us.

Charles Micallef

Jul 5th 2009, 15:17

Sick......Sick minds...what a shame that the culprits are never caught..would'nt we love to see their names made public and find out where they live! (We can all send them greetings card at Christmas!)

This incident along with the huskee incident yesterday wakes us up to realise that there are still a lot of deranged people about!

Charles Grixti

Jul 5th 2009, 15:04

@Gerry Cowie

How is taking a stand against animal cruelty and legislating against it cheapening human life? And what has cruelty to animals got to do with abortion?

I can tell you one fact, no animal will devise such a method of torture and killing as done to that poor, poor cat in this picture or for that matter torture other humans or create wars, destruction and the holocaust.

So much for your theory that humans are the crown of creation. Give me an animal any day.

Gerry Cowie

Jul 5th 2009, 14:51

This kind of ill treatment of animals is unacceptable. But do not let things go as far as they have in the UK where you can get into more trouble for hurting animals than you can for some common crimes against humans.

How I wish that as much attention was paid to and comment made as to how we treat human beings, in particuar those in the womb awaiting to be born.

The savage practice of suctioning out a foetus in pieces and throwing it into a bin seems to be of less consequence than the poor treatment of animals.

A society is, as Ghandi put it, only as good as the way they treat their animals.

Yes, let's have a stand against animal cruelty!
Yes, let's have a stand against the cheapening of human life also!
I make no apology whatsoever for introducing this subject here as the balance between the importance of animals as opposed to human beings is right out of kilter.

Pictures of foetuses ripped out of the womb are ones that pro abortion and pro choice people would rather you did not see.

But pictures of a dead cat? No problem!

Where are our values?

C. Weitze

Jul 5th 2009, 14:46

@ John Portelli:
"Curiosity kills the cat" might be appropriate for a cat that ends up stuck on a tree top after chasing a bird, but in this particular case it is highly unlikely if not to say impossible for a cat to put itself in such a distress.

Without any doubt this was the very cruel act of an extremely sick minded "being", that LOST ALL SENSES FOR SENSITIVITY !

But even this doesn't surprise me anymore when I look at the kind of "entertainment" our brains are bombarded with every day:
Movies are getting more and more violent, gameboy and playstation games are mostly violent and of criminal content ...and the internet is giving free access to pictures and movies about animal cruelty, human rape, man slaughtering and child pornography, just to name a few.
It sadly seems that all of the above mentioned has become socially acceptable and "just a joke".
As long as that is the case, we will continue reading about senseless animal cruelty, rape and man slaughter in the newspapers and shake our heads in disbelieve.

It is high time for some serious action!

Galea. L

Jul 5th 2009, 14:30

Those who did this are a disgrace to human beings.
If caught the same punishment should be meted out.

Sylvia Zammit

Jul 5th 2009, 14:18

This is the 2nd case in just 2 days - God alone knows how many more suffer - and die - in silence! I know at such times many claim to be ashamed to be Maltese.Personally, I'm ashamed to belong to the human race. Funny how we proudly brag that 'we are made in God's image' - then resort to the basest cruelty to both other humans, and even more, to the poor animals who share this earth with us.
As for the situation in Malta - enough said! I for 1 am tired of trying to change things - and have stopped voting some years ago. There are too few who care enough to do something! It seems we always have other priorities - be it the Eurovision, scams, rising prices, visiting 'stars' etc etc. The very newspapers that could help to change things seem to grudge us space! God help the poor animals who have the bad luck to be born in this island.

Jeff Rogers*(British)*animal lover

Jul 5th 2009, 14:09

Accident my foot, why do you think the cat had the City and Guilds of London and a qualified plumber then or what, come on man use your God given brains, i have never see n a dead animal's picture with a pvc pipe so far down its neck, have you? any answers anyone. It must a bit sick person with a weird sense of sadistic humour.

martin saliba

Jul 5th 2009, 13:43

its seems that most of the commentators here can't read or are fanatical when it comes to animals. First of all let me tell you that a few years ago i nearly came to blows with a man who could;t control his horse and resorted to beat it , i immediately went to the animals " rescue " so don't even try to think that i do not care for animals. What you people are saying is that if someone kills an insect let alone a cat he / she should get a 20 year prison term , is that it ? The only way to put animals on the same level as humans is to give the same punishment for a crime committed on an animal or a human. If you want this and think you can succeed gather a petition and i would be the first to sign it. Now go and take some reading lessons.

John Portelli

Jul 5th 2009, 13:31

This could simply be an accident, accidents happen,animals are curious.I don't believe this is animal cruelty at all.

v.pulis

Jul 5th 2009, 12:59

Does microelectronics have cctv cameras installed outside their plant? perhaps the slime that is responsible for this act got caught going about its business.(I am not addressing it as a human being as I don't consider it as one) If caught this disgusting piece of trash should be given such a punishment as would render it incapable of living. This piece of scum should be removed from society for good.

Robert Callus

Jul 5th 2009, 12:57

There should be a hefty minimum fine on all animal abuse as well as a very high risk of imprisonment.
However I would also add an intensive psychiatric assessment. Someone willing to do such barbaric acts to a vulnerable non-human, might eventually proceed to a vulnerable human such as a child.

On the other hand, I do not agree with comments like doing the same thing the abuser did to the animal on himself. If someone behaves in a barbaric way, we should not be tempted to become like him

adrian aquilina

Jul 5th 2009, 12:45

mr saliba,you cant put non human animals on the same level as humans as no non human animal is as cruel,selfish,kills for "sport",pollutes the earth,does thing out of greed as humans do. non human animals feel fear,pain,need food and water to live,respond to love,have the same internal organs,a brain..so when it comes to killing and torture that is definatly 2 things that we all share the pain of..animals,insects,birds etc are important to the whole of nature.without them the earth would die.(if there were no bees the human race would die in 5 years).without nature ,inc trees ,plants etc we would die.without humans the earth would thrive..so maybye we are not as important to the whole picture as you want to believe..human animals and non human animals all deserve respect and the freedom to live.
catch this person and jail them..make the animal welfare laws stronger..
this cat,the dog over the cliff and all the other strays and pets being abused...its unaceptabl

Franco Farrugia

Jul 5th 2009, 12:40

Can we for a moment, even, try and dare to imagine what this poor cat went through before it died? Can we for a moment, imagine what went through the EVIL MIND of the person/s who did this thing? Will the Police not take action and imagine that this happened on a human being? That way, perhaps, and only perhaps, we would be able to see some results. But as long as we continue to say, Oh, that's all very well, as long that t's not a human being that got killed, we will be allowing and abetting all these evil-minded and crazy individuals to continue to decimate animals that after all, have never done any wilful harm to anyone, quite contrary to the people who are behind these atrocities.
I have nothing further to add - I close this newspaper with dispair and plead with the readers not to be egoistic and turn on to the next page ... without doing at least a tiny thing in favour of animals, to make up for what our brothers/sisters in the species - the one/s that we would stand up for - did to these four-legged friends.

Franco Farrugia

Jul 5th 2009, 12:34

@ Martin Saliba: Well, Martin, let me teach you something about life, shall I? You are one of so many people who 'would not go as far as putting animals on the same leve as humans' - and THAT is the start of the problem behind animal-cruelty. We, human beings, think that we are a far superior species, that we have to look after our won, that we have to protect our own species and treat animals as inferior beings and creatures. I have news for you: these animals have as much right to their life as you and your children's! This poor animal's suffering is equal to the suffering that your own children would have gone through, had they been subjected to the same vile, horrific treatment. That's a fact, no? So, how can you continue giving this ancient, boring and nonsensical statement on speciesism? Are you trying to somehow lower the standard of seriousness in this act? Will you be telling us next that a human being has every right to decide on the destiny of every animal he sees?
These are creatures in the same way we are! They suffer in the same way.

Karen Vella

Jul 5th 2009, 12:31

Martin Saliba you should be ashamed of yourself. As a tax payer I am more than willing to see my money used to punish these people. Not put animals as the same level as people you say? Anybody capable of inflicting such cruelty on defenseless animals would be more than capable of hurting people!!!!!!! Reading your post again and still believe that such people still exist in a supposedly civilised Malta

martin saliba

Jul 5th 2009, 12:06

While i condem this act of cruelty i ask what;s the use of spending hunders of Euros in tax payers money to catch the monster who did this when if caught he / she would be fined round about 50 Euro ? I would not go as far as putting animals on the same leve as humans but i an animal i killed due to cruelty the person responsible should get a minimum fine and prison term.

Evelyne.GH.Bouwhuis

Jul 5th 2009, 12:04

I as a frequent visitor to Malta am utterly disgusted as a volunteer worker for an animal care center in the Netherlands, we thank the Times of Malta for bringing this to light so people all over the world which no doubt this news has reached many countries by now will see what we have to deal with.What a sick mind and sadistic Bast*rds have done this will look at the picture above cause i know they will. This image will be embedded in mind for the rest of their life, the poor creature cannot answer back and its no point people saying if i come face to face with this maggot , no need for violence, i think from experience from others like these culprits they must have a very sick life and the picture is enough to torment them for a long time to come.

a.camilleri

Jul 5th 2009, 11:59

putting these cowards in prison is not good enough. they should be given the same treatment as they do to the poor helpless animals.

Peter Aquilina

Jul 5th 2009, 11:49

There must be a large quantity of evil in the perpetrator's/ perpetrators' soul/s.

Emmanuel Marmara'

Jul 5th 2009, 11:36

The savage human being ( if he is a human being ) if caught, ( if we really have justice ), should be put through the same ordeal that the poor cat has gone through !!!! Cannot really believe that such people exist !!!!!!!!
And please note that at San Anton Gardens there are a few cats that are really under nourished and it's a pity to see them walking about like that.As soon as you sit down on a bench they come straight to you to feed them.

eleanor portanier (melb australia)

Jul 5th 2009, 11:26

How can a sane person do such a cruel thing,to a helpless animal. Shame !!! Shame!!!
Hope Oprah Winfrey,who I believe is visting Malta,never comes across this photo,she adores animals.

Joseph E Briffa

Jul 5th 2009, 11:20

The person - if he can be called a person - who committed this dastardly act is sick in the mind and a menace to society. If he is cougfht - and I say 'he' because I mean 'he" - he should be made to pay for his sadism by putting him behind bars for a couple of years. If he is capable of such criminal acts, he will stop at nothing. He cannot be allowed to be at large. And please no suspended sentences. Jail term, if possible with hard labour and in solitary for a month