Alan Montanaro, Siġġiewi
€100 reward to apprehend a callous coward
It has been three hours since I read the backpage article about a husky abandoned down a cliff with a rope around its neck (July 4) and my feelings of horror, disgust, anger and shame are increasing as I continually picture the events in my mind - and this is what is compelling me to write.
This monster must have tied up his trusting pet while, we can presume from the dog's description in the article, it was happily wagging its tail in total trust - and then threw it off a cliff edge. Given the size of a husky and the callousness of this coward, I imagine he would have probably kicked the dog over.
His curiosity would have compelled him to look over the edge to check on the success of his operation, and he must have known the dog landed on a narrow ledge. Still he walked away to leave the whimpering husky to a slow, painful death.
While thanking all those involved in the rescue operation, from the kind-hearted farmer to the Civil Protection Department, the Animal Welfare Department and Noah's Ark, I would ask for a full investigation leading to the arrest, sentencing and incarceration of the criminal who did this callous deed.
The investigation shouldn't be too complicated: someone somewhere had a husky a few days ago and suddenly doesn't have a husky anymore.
Global recession apart, I would like to offer a €100 reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest of this man.
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Alan Montanaro
Jul 10th 2009, 11:49
Yet another story in today's paper! This time a pure breed German Shepard thrown into the sea off Qala. The poor creature made it to a cave thats only accessible from the water so the animal must have swam there. No food. No drinking water.
The people from the SPCA assume the animal was used for breeding - and then discarded like a fag-end when it was no longer financially viable for the owner to keep it.
Is it the owner? Is it yet another act of vengeance? Who knows? Who cares? Someone's doing it - and nothing's being done.
I'm willing to stick my neck out and put pressure on the authorities - but can't really do it alone. A good day's worth of investigation will result in alot of names.
Liam Kelly
Jul 9th 2009, 12:29
@ David Wirrich...Are we really all so shocked? Pets who can no longer be kept by their owners are regularly disposed of on an industrial scale in Malta, you seemed shocked when i said it but you know its happening. Why is no-one offering money for the culprit of the 20 kittens found dumped in a rubbish bin in birzebbuga a few months ago? Or the countless puppies and kittens drowned in the sea? How about the lovely creatures kept in scandellous conditions at the valletta and marsaxlokk markets? Everyone knows that this is going on yet no-one is really lifting a finger.
This story has been given a lot of attention but to single out this one case is very selective and it just goes to show that it if aint fluffy, cute, looks a bit different and happens to be in the Times of Malta then most people, apart from us who are passionate about ALL animals...aren't really interested are we?
Lori Massini Morgan
Jul 9th 2009, 10:43
I would offer money as well for the cause if I thought the person responsible would even get just punishment. The problem in Malta is they do not have strict enough laws and punishment ( if any) against people who hurt pets/strays ect.
I would love to see this man/woman themselves thrown over the same cliff but I know that is impossible. However, a hefty fine like 10,000 ( money should be donated to island sanctuary or st. thomissna sanctuary ) ect and a year in jail might make these worthless, heartless people think twice.
Why throw it over a cliff? If it had to be given away or left on a doorstep or even put to sleep as a last resort would have been better than its almost certain fate of dying from injuries or starving and dying from this heat. The person had other alternatives. This makes me physically ill.
WHEN and WHO will finally use a voice and power they have to do something for these animals in malta? It's disgusting!
A.Kazara
Jul 9th 2009, 10:22
@ David Wirrich
Do you know anything about Huskies?
Yes it's true that they function better in temperatures of -37c and other freezing climates, but In siberia for example Temperatures vary from -40c and can go upto +35c in summer months. So it's not fair to generalise everyone and say that it's cruel to bring these dogs here.
One of my best friend's (Trained in Veternary field) owns two pure huskies and they are probaly the healthiest looking dogs I've seen on the Island.
It's Important with *ANY* dog that it gets...
1. Lots of exercise (Early in the Morning, Late in the evening, when it's cooler for them)
2. Shade to protect them from the sun..
3. Lots of water (changed often).
@ Gerry Cowle
The difference between Dogs and Humans, is that a Dog will love you uncondionatially, no matter how well, or badly you treat it... Sadly the same can be said of Man...
"A Dog Can Be A Man's Best Friend..... But Unfortunately, Man Can Also Be A Dog's Worst Enemy".
@ Alan Montanaro
Thank God for Kind hearted people such as yourself.
Franco Farrugia
Jul 9th 2009, 08:59
Knowing Alan Montanaro, I have no doubt about his honesty and well-meaningness shown in his letter. So, perhaps, less criticism on people like him and more on the perpetratror/s of this heinous and despicable crime against life! Of course, the perpetrator may not be the 'owner' of this dog but the 'owner' should have already come forward. Malta is a small country and certainly people would and should know if some husky has suddenly disappeared from their midst. The authorities should leave no stone unturned to identify the culprit/s of this crime, bring them to a sound and reasonable justice and make sure that they are made to be an example, a deterrant against such future crimes.
And as for huskies' presence on our islands, I maintain, as I have done in the past, that breeds should not be imported to our islands and that local breeders should be very heavily taxed and discouraged from pursuing this sort of business that appears to be VAT-free.
I also agree with the idea of trendiness - even pugs have become trendy, the latest fashion. It will wear off, and then?
Gerry Cowie
Jul 8th 2009, 19:21
The words of vengeance poured out here are amazing!
The graphic language, and words like "monster"!
Lots of assumptions!
Who knows the true facts?
What about the many reasons why the owner might not have come forward?
"The same thing should be done to him", says one.
Two people are offering rewards!
If only we paid as much importance to humans as we do to animals!
By all means don't maltreat animals, I certainly agree with that!
I would like to see as much strength of feeling when it comes to human life - you never see words like this condemning abortion for instance! And there is plenty of freely available information on what happens! It is violent in the extreme but seems acceptable to so many.
I am not for a moment suggesting the the writers and bloggers here do not value human life, so please do read before trying to find fault!
I make no apology for drawing this parallel here, and doubtless I will get a few disgruntled people saying things without even reading what I have said.
alan montanaro
Jul 8th 2009, 18:08
Mr J Azzopardi...
I appreciate your sarcasm, but I'm no expert. Nor do i claim to be. I'm just another animal lover who feels outraged and frustrated whenever acts of callous barbarity against innocent animals takes place on our islands. I'm just a guy who's trying to put his money where is mouth is.
My opinion is my own to make. The fact that NOBODY called to claim ownership of a lost, beloved pet, is suspect. If it were an act of vengeance - then the owner should come out of the shadows to name the likely criminal. None of this happened. And this makes the owner prime suspect in my eyes.
Could I be wrong?? Of course I could - maybe the owner is a coward, or maybe he's a fool. But, if i were investigating this, the owner would be my first port of call.
David Wirrich
Jul 8th 2009, 15:27
@Liam Kelly
I agree that dogs like Huskies should never be allowed on a blazing hot island like Malta but to say "that when it goes out of fashion to dispose of it" is horrendous. A) Dogs are not fashion items and B) If someone can not keep their dog for whatever reason,then in every civilised country I know of they would put it up nfor sale or adoption or if ill have it it humanely euthanised by a qualified vet, not kicked over a cliff with a rope around its neck. I still can't get over this barbarism and I stand by the reward if this "person" receives the justice deserved through the courts - or otherwise.
Liam Kelly
Jul 8th 2009, 14:53
It seems to me that recently there has been an alarming rise in the amount of these husky dogs in Malta....i have to agree with J.Azzopardi; surely the real cruelty is the fact that these dogs with thick long fur coats are brought out of their natural environment to Malta in the first place? I'm not a dog expert but when i see one in the streets, unlike most people who stare at it and say how cute, im more worried about how hot it must be feeling.
It seems to me that this incident was as a result of the novelty value of this trendy dog wore off on its owner and its just a matter of time before more and more of these kind of dogs go out of fashion and owners will look to dispose of them.
Carmelo Palmier Cecy
Jul 8th 2009, 12:51
The fact is that someone committed an act which should bring shame to the face of whoever may have remotely contributed to it by deed or omission. Everything possible should be done to prevent a repetition of this sad story.
A dog is not only an animal, like ourselves, but he is also a mammal, and, therefore, belongs to a closer circle of relations. Moreover, dogs have been adopted and kept within human families since ages ago; they are trusted and they have grown accustomed to trusting us.
However, we should be careful not to accuse innocent people, even though we may not be mentioning names, in our honest endeavour to procure justice. Two wrongs would not cancel out.
M. Zammit
Jul 8th 2009, 12:02
The owner will easily be found in this small island if only someone puts up a picture with the article and neighbours come forward anonymously to name and shame.
Moira Heath
Jul 8th 2009, 11:01
@J.Azzopardi
I'm afraid I have to side with Alan Montanaro and Sylvia Zammit. If this was an act of vengeance, as you say, the owner would have been the first to come forward to reclaim his beloved pet. As far as we know, over 70 calls were made offering to home the husky yet none were made by anybody claiming to be the original owner. I just hope the poor dog will get a good home like he justly deserves. It's a heartbreaking story of unspeakable cruelty and whoever did this, owner or not, should really be brought to justice. Same thing goes for those who tortured that poor cat to death with the PVC pipe.
David Wirrich
Jul 8th 2009, 10:32
What absolutely unbelievable cruelty. Whoever did this to that poor animal should have the same thing done to him/her. I will also offer a Euro100 for the successful prosecution of this subhuman
Sylvia Zammit
Jul 8th 2009, 10:06
Mr.Montanaro - thank you for caring! J.Azzoppardi could be right of course - it's been to known to happen (though as usual, no follow up taken!) On the other hand, was areport about a missing Husky lodged anywhere? If not - Why? The sooner the pet microchip becomes compulsory the better!
J.Azzopardi
Jul 8th 2009, 09:53
Another expert playing judge and jury by publicly deducing that the owner of this Husky is the perpetrator of this vile act. It is letters and comments as yours Mr Montanaro that will keep the owner from coming forward. In your complex mind is there any space to consider a possible act of vengeance or cruelity coming from outside the circle of the dog's owner ? While on the subject, does it make sense to allow breeds such as the Husky and similar to be imported or bred in oven hot Malta ?