Friday, 10th July 2009
Rescued dog put to sleep
This German Shepherd was rescued from a cave by the Civil Protection Department yesterday but, alas, had to be put down.
A pure German Shepherd, that looked like a "walking skeleton", was yesterday found abandoned in a pebbly cave off Qala that is only accessible from the sea. The Psaila family, who was out on a boat in the area known as Barbaġan, spotted the lonely dog that swam to greet them. They immediately called the Civil Protection Department to rescue the poor creature.
Betty Berry, from the SPCA Gozo that took in the dog, said sadly the dog had to be put down because it had a severe case of sand fly that was beyond treating.
"The dog weighed 19kg - I have a whippet that weight - and her eyes were weeping with yellow pus. I'm no vet but I've been doing this for 20 years and I can recognise advanced sand fly. It's so devastating to put her down because she was a sweet, gentle creature," Ms Berry said.
Ms Berry believes the dog must have been dumped in the sea and it managed to swim and seek shelter in the cave: "She must have been in the cave for a few days. She was about eight to 10 years old and was likely used for breeding."
"This dog was thrown away like a piece of garbage in the sea. Unfortunately, with her severe case of sand fly I had nowhere to keep her quarantined. We're stuffed full and at our wits' end. I don't know how much longer we can go on this way," she said, breaking down.
Expressing her frustration, Ms Berry said she was at the end of her tether with the excessive animal cruelty on the island. SPCA Gozo had picked up 210 animals this year alone and had managed to find a home for the majority of them.
The family who helped rescue the dog was disappointed the creature was put down. "She looked fine and was very happy to see us. We wanted to give this dog a chance and SPCA Gozo didn't give it this chance," Mario Psaila said.
Ms Berry defended her decision and said: "I had to think on my feet. Treating this dog was extremely hard and I cannot risk infecting all the other animals. If anyone wants my job, they're welcome to it."
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Comments
I think for her sake and even for other dogs with sandfly, Ms Berry should spend some time in Malta in one of the esteemed dog santuaries we have over here to get more knowledge about treating dum dum fever (sandfly). The desease was discovered and named after Dr. Leisman who used to treat British soldiers infected by it. Can you immagine British Sordiers being put to sleep just because they had sandfly, as in Ms Berry's opinion they would be of a risk to others (read last paragraph).
I am afraid that in Gozo animal welfare is far way behind in general and the fact that there is only one vet does not improve on the already sad situation. Ms Berry 20 years experience is very very limited and I am afraid lacks a lot of nursing experience. Finding excuses to take the easiest way out and put to sleep is not the answer as it only shows lack of knowledge.
As a Funny Farm volunteer and after this week's recent events, I cannot in any way whatsoever condone the DESTRUCTION of a dog SO VERY QUICKLY.
Point 1, sandfly can now be CURED - and it has been PROVED that it can even improve on organ failure.
Point 2, as long as the dog WASN'T suffering then it should have been given a chance. Even if this was only a few weeks or months before "the" decision was finally made (but at least then with proper testing and knowledge).
Point 3, our German Shepherd was diagnosed with "sandfly" shortly after arriving in Malta. Almost 1,000 euros later and a change of vet resulted in a significant improvement AFTER taking her off expensive medication!
Euthonasia for animals should be the last resort, not the first, and only when all other options have been exhausted.
You both did the right thing whatever anyone else says.
@ Alan Montanaro
Proset! Keep your stance however agressive it may seem. With perpetartors and authorities you need to bare your teeth.
@ everyone else - get all facts straight b4 judging. You have to compliment the PSaila family for taking their time to see that the dog gets to the right ppl. And you have to commend the SPCA's decision to take the hardest decision. No animal lover wants to see animals put down. How much more of an animal lover can you be than these ppl who dedicate part/most of there lives to abandoned animals!?? What you should be asking is how can I help the SPCA? And how can I help to stop animal cruely? Otherwise keep your opinion to yourself and let ppl like Ms.Berry and others do their job.
Had this dog been given at least a day's chance, today she surely would have been in a loving home because with a story of bravery and courage behind her, many people would have volunteered to help her - but no the people who should have known better went and took her life away just like that !
And this dog should have never been killed. Who are we to end someone's life?
So many posts have focused on SPCA Gozo's decision, right or wrong, everyone seems to have forgotten that there is one true villian in this case, the scumbag that dumped the poor dog.
So many people, unlike Mr Psaila, choose to turn a blind eye to animal cruelty. Not everyone is willing to put their neck out to rescue abused aninmals or report perpetrators of such crimes. On the rare occasions such crines are reported and prosecuted, the criminal/s walks out of court wilth little more than a slap on the wrist! I think it is about time the law stepped in and treaqted such crimes with all the vigour they deserve!
I fully agree with what Estelle Grech said about dogs suffering to die when they have renal failure. I have been through it many a times with cats and dogs, and unfortunately had to take that decision of having them put to sleep, but on the other hand I cannot agree that in this case this German Shepherd was on the brink of death with kidney failure.
I am not saying it did not have problems, but looking at the photo, people who look after strays in sanctuaries like Isabella Peresso Fiorentino can easily tell whether the dog had any chance of survival, and here I fully agree with what she said.
We must also keep in mind what Mario Psaila said when quoting what Betty Berry first told him about not having space etc. Keeping all this in mind I am of the opinion that this dog had a good chance of survival with the proper nursing, and that chance was never given.
You can easily tell that this particular dog had a lot of fighting spirit to live, but unfortunately ended up at the wrong place and at the wrong time
Why doesn't the SPCA admit to having made a grave mistake here? Perhaps Ms Berry is too tired of this job and its time she handed over to someone with more energy, dedication, and above all compassion toward animals.
Mr Psaila - Do not be intimidated by people who think they know it all. You did a commendable thing to that dog and in my opinion you deserve an honourable medal. God will reward you for what you did.
You are the one true hero in this story as opposed to the villain who dumped that poor dog. I understand your disappointment at the events, however at least this way she had a peaceful, dignified death rather than dying alone and scared in that cave.
I would like to thank you for the first kind words I got from any member of the Gozo SPCA.
I have absolutely no intention at all of being an instrument in the closure of Gozo SPCA. In such a situation it is only the animals which suffer.
The thing is that during the discussion I had with Ms Berry she mentioned both cost and space reasons. And many other menbers of Gozo SPCA mentioned the same things, as evidenced by the letter sent to the Times by Dani MacDonald, which letter is completely unacceptable to me.
I still cannot understand why Ms Berry spoke to me in that manner and the message sent to rescuers of such animals was wrong. That is why I am now after the truth in this manner. I am not saying Gozo SPCA, as a group, are wrong but manybe some of the members are.
I suggest you go through all the correspondence and comments and then maybe we can have a serious and constructive discussion to analyse the situation and ensure it does not happen again.
Otherwise, we will have no other option but to continue pressing for the truth.
Many years ago, an expert who was the VET I used at the time, told me to put down one of my dogs "Linda" because she was diagnosed with sandfly. I insisted and treated her, even though it was very expensive at that time. She lived happily and without any pain at all for another 9 years. Now tell me, should I just respect a VET's decision because he is the "EXPERT"? A few months ago, I had another dog sick. I paid sums like €100 in a day for daily bloodtests, fees and medicines. Non of the experts working on her suggested we put her down and even though she died, she died in our hands being lavished with love and kisses.
Also, please understand that life is sacred and very important to the entity involved, human or animal. It should not be taken away lightly.
Hope you understand my views and reasons now.
Also, before adopting my dog I went to my vet for unbiased advice regarding adopting a dog with sandfly. He said the condition can be treated unless the kidneys are involved. The vet explained to me that when a dog with sandfly has kidney problems, then the condition is terminal.
Fortunately this was not the case with my dog but the poor bitch rescued form the cave was not as lucky. My dog had been abandoned twice by his previous owners and was rescued by Ms Berry. Having had the pleasure to meet her when I adopted him,I can vouch for her and her coleagues' work regarding animal welfare.
I'm certainly not criticising you for helping rescue the dog - I'd be surprised if anyone has. I congratulate all involved - yourself and your family, theCPD, and Gozo SPCA.
I quite agree with you, all we should be concerned about are the facts, and not accusations based on half truths, which, from some commentators (not yourself), appear to be aimed at forcing the closure of Gozo SPCA.
The dog in question was not put down for cost or space reasons, but for health reasons alone, as diagnosed by the Vet. That is the most important fact - "as diagnosed by the vet"
Its amazing how many people are suddenly well versed on the condition of the cave dog before it was killed!!
In reality, they are all repeating what they have been told. I really think that after all that has been said and done, and all the mud slung at me because I rescued the dog, its time for a detailed report of who actually saw this poor animal, and how they managed to kill it in such a short time.
Nothing else needs to be said except the facts.
Dog rescued in operation taking hours.
Dog in killed within a very short time (according to my calculations less than an hour after being landed) of being handed to Gozo SPCA.
Many people very well versed in the dogs condition WITHOUT SEEING IT.
Its time to stop now and the truth is told. I am waiting and has been waiting since I rescued the dog. And please no more treating me as if I did a terrible think in getting the dog out of that cave, because I refuse to be intimidated. I say the truth and explain the exact sequence of things as they happened.
Truth please.
Actually, Mario, the cat had a seizure on our doorstep and died in front of us all while Betty was attempting to calm it down, prior to putting it into a cat basket. So please don't imply that Betty's "modus operandi" is to put down healthy animals at whim. That is an appalling misrepresentation of the work of the Gozo SPCA.
Incicentally, on the same trip, we accompanied a young girl and her kitten to the vet in Gozo. Sadly the cat had dystentery and the vet made the decision to put the animal to sleep. We were disappointed that the animal was too ill to be saved, but respected his decision as the expert. Perhaps you should do the same.
copied from an earlier replies :
The money that you refer to arose from a bequest from a very kind foreigner and can only be used for the purpose of building new premises.
Such premises would undoubtedly help in similar situations, however, not in this case.
The reason that the dog was put to sleep was because it was very sick with severe anaemia, emaciation and renal failure which is the side effect of advanced sand fly disease or Leishmaniasis. This decision was taken by the vet and Ms Berry.
Gozo SPCA never puts down healthy animals.
Please visit www.spca-gozo.org , and think about how you could help the animals of Gozo
So, once again, Gozo SPCA solved your cat problem by putting it out of its misery. When are we going to read about any sick or hurt animals that were cured, or can only healthy animals enter Gozo SPCA? It's time for facts and statistics now please.
"There was not enough time to establish whether the dog had kidney failure"
The vet did a kidney function test and found the dog to be suffering from renal failure
Very well said! Last year while spending a month on Gozo, Betty Berry came out to us when we found a poisoned feral cat dying on our doorstep. She was extremely professional, dignified and caring in her approach, even though the cat was too far gone to be saved. I wonder how many people who are criticising her and the Gozo SPCA from the comfort of their armchairs would be prepared to put themselves out for the animal population of Gozo, in the same way that she and the other volunteers do. Not many, I would guess.
Many of you just do not know what you are saying.
I and my family rescued the cave dog after an operation involving hours, numerous lenghtly mobile phone calls, risking even my personal assets. I handed it to Civil Protection because they insisted on taking it to Gozo SPCA instead of to Noahs Ark who had already undertaken to cure the dog. They promised it would not be killed.
I gave them enough time to deliver the dog and phoned to enquire about it. IT HAD ALREADY BEEN KILLED.
I was ready to pay for the cure myself.
No chance was given to this poor creature. I was given a multitude of excuses ranging from money, space, illness, etc. Come on, I had the dog in my hands!!! There were no open sores, no pain, just thirst and hunger.
I have been on the receiving end of many unkind comments because I dared to disagree with Gozo SPCA and Ms Berry, as if I was the person who hurt the dog rather then its rescuer.
The truth please!!
Please do not refer to the scum who made this dog suffer as an animal. You would be doing animals a disservice.
(1) each dog or cat be chipped (2) be taken at least 3 times a year to any preferred VET (3) the VET makes sure he keeps a record of visits, physical condition, and so on (4) births and deaths registered?
By this each dog or cat unless stray would be monitored. This will incure some financial burden, but the government can help by giving pet owners some sort of TAX credit!
Ref. owners who leave their pets astray, SPCA, ALE, and so on, unless guide lines, regulations or laws are specified and enforced, any decision or action taken, whether good or bad, the true fact is that its taken and that’s it.
Yes, in the UK irresponsible people who brutally harm and torture animals are heftily fined or given a heavy sentence for their irresponsible actions. However in Malta, we are special, very special. I do not know what to think now, is it me or suddenly animal cruelty is prevailing in Malta? First we had the husky, then the cat and now this one and for some reason these kind of people (if you could even call them people) are never caught. I hope one day these irresponsible people will have to go through what they did to animals...
Luckily we had photos, videos and veterinary certificates of all the dogs killed, and the whole scenario backfired badly on the authorities. Adding insult to injury after we won the ombudsman case the government vet concerned was promoted to Chief Government Vet by the Nationalist government. Why was this done people keep asking to this day? We have drawn the attention of this government about this but to no avial. In return we were refused the writting off taxes of two animal ambulances donated to us, so we had no choice but to close down the animal ambulance service which was very important to the animals in the south of Malta and elsewhere.
Unfortunately even animal welfare has been politicised by this government as we never attended the Taht it Tinda canvassing for niether party and not just the Nationalists.
I wish all the best to the new Noah's Ark ambulance service. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcsfFEOuFHo
When our dogs were killed on the 14th March 1996 by a government vet, SPCA and ALE police, they knew very well they were killing eleven healthy dogs, but they were ordered to do so by a government minister because Animal Rescue (Malta) was temporary occupaying The Old Hospital on Manoel Island, which was earmarked for the Manoel Island project.
The minister concerned could have easily asked us to move out which would have done gladly as those dogs were about to be moved to The Island Sanctuary in less than ten days time. But instead the minister decided that he had the authority and power to be arrogant and order his 'soldiers' to act as they did.
We won the ombudsman case for the simple reason that besides we proved that those dogs were all healthy, but our FAMOUS RAMBOES broke the law themselves when they killed our dogs, as there is a law that says that stray dogs have to be given seven days time before any final decision is taken about them, to give ample time to anyone to claim that those were his or hers.....continued
let me get this straight - you, who didn't examine the dog, knows better than a very experienced vet who did.
The dog was not put to sleep because of lack of space at Gozo SPCA
The dog was not healthy
The decision to put the dog to sleep was not taken by Ms Berry alone
The reason that the dog was put to sleep was because it was very sick with severe anaemia, emaciation and renal failure which is the side effect of advanced sand fly disease or Leishmaniasis. This decision was taken by the vet and Ms Berry, both of whom have extensive knowledge of Leishmaniasis. The Gozo SPCA centre is full, and there is no designated quarantine area due to lack of space, but that is a secondary issue. Gozo SPCA never puts down healthy animals.
Gozo SPCA needs all the support it can get, both in people's time and financially. Allegations based on half truths and outright falsehoods only make the work harder. Please visit www.spca-gozo.org , and think about how you could help the animals of Gozo
In Malta / Gozo, cats / dogs are not pets, but items that families feel they must have to complete the set ! I recently visited my former British Army Barracks in Malta, on showing my Grandchildren around, we were witness to dog fighting on the former parade ground, which upset us all !! At Marsaxlokk we witnessed all sorts of animals in cruel cages.
Seeing that we were first here in the early 60's, we have a very good view of how society has progressed, and the answer is , not far.
However,it is about time that the laws in Malta are changed and harsher punishments be given in court to the guilty persons, And, also crimes against animals should be treated on the same scale as crimes against human beings by the police. After all an animal is innocent and dependents on us to care for him/her.
All dogs should have an identification linked with the owner, if need be even a micro chip. in this way, if a dog is left stranded, the police can trace the owner.
Once again shame on the people who left this dog stranded and other who do the same
About the person who threw that lovely dog should be punished, but unfortunately we don't have harsh laws against these beasts. And who sees people hurt these animals should (1) Stop them & (2) report them. Don't be scare to report people who are hurting innocent creatures. Any type of creature.
If Ms Berry is tired of this situation, I think she should make way for others who are willing to give more energy toward the appalling cruelty inflicted upon animals as someone else has rightly suggested.
Had this story reached the media before this dog was killed I'm certain that she would have found a loving home to care for her but no we had to find the easy way out. How ironic that with so much willpower to live this dog had to be killed so soon - how sad !
There is also no excuse for the violence which humankind inflict on their own, and I only wish there were more of an outcry at the number of unborn children suctioned out of wombs every day across the world. And all because they are the "wrong" side of the womb, they are fair game!
So let us respect human life. If we do not respect our own kind how can we respect animals.
As Ghandi so rightly stated, a nation can be judged by the way it treats its animals.
Indeed one can treat sand fly when one manages to diagnose it at the begining! But this dog - as Mr. Thorogood confirmed - didn't have the sand fly since yesterday! It has been struggling with it for quite some time thus deminishing the chances of survival.
Do you really think that an animal lover enjoys putting down an animal that had just been rescued?!?
I myself was caught in such a situation when I found a stray kitten one Sunday. It was stuck in the ventilation system of our sewage and screaming for help.
No idea how it got in there. After we broke away the grid I pulled out the kitten to see that its belly was completely cut open with half of the inside literally hanging out. It was a horrible sight and it took me several hours and phone calls to find a vet who then put this animal out of its misery.
Did I enjoy this? Certainly not!
If you want to blame and shame - than blame and shame the person that dumped this poor dog in the first place.
www.sosanimalsmalta.com
www.saintfrancisfoundation.com
http://www.spca-gozo.org/
A final thought on the subject. Breeding dogs without authorization should also be made illegal! Most of the time, those puppies that are not sold are disposed of in various manners – as if they where nothing more than garbage. If not for the animals such a decision should be made for tax reasons! I hope the many comments on this blog do not finish on deaf ears!
For clarification, the original press release made it clear that a vet was consulted
"The dog was given water, (she had no interest in food) and rushed to the vet, who tested her for Leishmaniasis, using the rapid Leishmaniasis test and found her positive. He also found her to be severely anaemic and a kidney function test indicated renal failure. His view was that the dog was suffering and after discussion it was agreed that it would be kindest for the dog to put her to sleep. This decision could not be prolonged as there was absolutely nowhere in the Gozo SPCA centre to keep her overnight. Gozo SPCA Centre is full to bursting, the situation being so bad that currently 5 dogs are being fostered out with volunteers in order to alleviate the overcrowding"
A heartful thanks also goes to all those who have to perform the rewarding yet thankless tasks as Ms. Berry. For those who criticise her - Words come easy, courage takes a little longer....
I wish that the same fate of these poor dogs repeats onto the monsters who ill-treated them. Only they will not find anyone to rescue them!
I don't keep a dog at home because I dont have the time or space. The same goes for any pet. Unless you are able to give these gentle creatures your time, love, respect - forget it.
Don't think of even getting a canary or budgie.
One final word about animal cruelty - how are so many so-called pet shops allowed to keep cats, dogs birds and even exotic animals in small, dirty cages? Why don't wee have some proper control over these shops? If not for the animals, at least for hygene sake!
Words are cheap. Perhaps you could provide Gozo SPCA with the names and telephone numbers of those willing, at a moments notice, to provide such a service.
I'm not an aggressive person, but you're really barking up the wrong tree (pun intended).
Go and spend a day at the SPCA, and your rather judgmental opinion WILL change. Of course its heartbreaking that Ms Berry took the decision to put the dog down - but she sees the bigger picture because she is IMMERSED in it.
Direct your anger at the real criminals - not at the people who VOLUNTARILY do their bit.
Direct your anger at the perpetrator of this vile act. And help put pressure on the authorities to bring them and their ilk to justice. Its not a difficult crime to solve. One day a neighbour had a German Shepherd, the next day he didn\t. One day another neighbour had a huskie... the next day he didn't.
I got a lot of flack for offering a €100 reward for information resulting in the arrest of the person/persons who threw the husky off a cliff and left it to die. Thankfully it didn't.
I was criticized for assuming that it was the owner, and was even offered the alternative that it could have been an act of vengeance (though the fact that the owner never reported his dog as missing, and wasn't one of the 70+ calls to offer the dog a home does NOT support this).
Was it the owner? Was it act of vengeance? Who knows? Who CARES? Someone's done it ... and is getting away with it.
Now we have another horrifying case. This time the dog had to be put down. Another act of vengeance? I don't think so.
I'm ready to put pressure on the authorities. They have to show us that they care too. JUST ONE GOOD SOLID DAY OF INVESTIGATION WILL, I AM CONVINCED, RESULT IN A LOT OF NAMES.
Ms Berry... Thank you. You will get criticized by people who wouldn't lift a finger to help. THANK YOU
Decide for yourselves the moral development of Malta, when you read ever more frequent stories of astonishing animal cruelty taking place on the island !
Until Maltese legislation and justice system takes into serious consideration its lax view on animal cruelty and the subsequent prosecution (or not, as it may be) of these vile criminals, then these evil persons will keep doing it again and again.
The justice system is a joke in Malta. Slapping a fine on those guilty of animal cruelty is NO deterrent !!!!!!!!
If you say you don't believe in God wait and see !!!!!!!
There is no excuse for such cruelty
I think it is really about time to make culprits pay with jail sentences. I live in Switzerland, and it is amazing how much pets are cared for and loved. You can walk in all restaurants, trains, buses, rivers, lakes, and even sometimes at the office with dogs. Restauarants also provide dirnking bowls for our 4 legged friends. A dog is really seen as an extended part of the family. Would love to see that happening in my home country.
Just my humble opinion.