Rescued dog put to sleep

Mr Carmel Pule'

Jun 13th 2011, 20:13

Who was it who said," The more I get to know some people, the more I love my dog!"

Lawrence Magrin

Aug 8th 2009, 11:19

When one reads again this article, one can easily notice the many different excuses that Ms Berry gave to defend her position.

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.

Jo Abel

Aug 3rd 2009, 02:44

I have read and digested everyone's comments about this poor dog. I feel so strongly for the family that took the enormous time and effort to save her - they will obviously be devasted at the outcome. (And, according to their posts, to have received negative - or worse - comments for their efforts is in-humane.)

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.

James Formosa

Jul 24th 2009, 10:50

@Mario Psaila & Ms.Berry
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.

Isabella Peresso Fiorentino

Jul 17th 2009, 21:02

No Tania sorry, but even if the dog lived and was taken to a sanctuary no dog would have been infected because sandfly is not contagious. Only with an infected mosquito which bites a dog can the dog catch sandfly and definately not from dog to dog - any vet can tell you this.

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 !

Tania Morris

Jul 17th 2009, 18:03

I rescued a dog from Spain who was found on death's door - he was much thinner than this dog in the picture and he had the common leishmania sores, and severe arthritis. We took him to the vet thinking the course of treatment would be to put him to sleep - but she gave him a chance and treated him, 1 year later he is a normal happy boy. Yes we have to watch his kidney & liver and put him on a special diet - but he has an incredible will to live that got him through - just like this german shepherd, seems so sad to put her to sleep when she tried so hard to live after being dumped. I think if we can we should give them a chance - sandfly is so misunderstood and they can live a perfectly normal, healthy, happy life. If however the dog was going into a shelter - and there was nowhere to quarantine her away from other dogs - you do run the risk of all the others being infected - unless of-course all the dogs are wearing scalibor collars. It's a tough decision.

Joseph Borg

Jul 17th 2009, 16:18

These cases make me hate some human beings.

And this dog should have never been killed. Who are we to end someone's life?

isabella Peresso Fiorentino

Jul 14th 2009, 22:35

Ms Estelle Grech - I don't imply that I know it all - far from it. All I'm implying is that this dog should never have been killed. Fullstop. It's so very clear, she wanted to live and was denied that right by people who should have known better.

estelle grech

Jul 14th 2009, 14:37

Ms Isabella peresso Fiorentino, Firstly it was my cat not my dog who died of renal failure. The dog I adopted from SPCA Gozo has sandfly but thankfully his kidneys and liver are fine. Secondly I happen to be a volunteer too so I am not completely ignorant of animal rescue. I have never had the gall to imply that I knew it all, I just think that in this case there is a lot of misdirected anger.
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!

Lawrence Magrin

Jul 13th 2009, 23:44

@ Estelle Grech.

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

Isabella Peresso Fiorentino

Jul 13th 2009, 21:31

Mr Thorogood - I'm sorry, but whichever way you twist it, a hasty decision was taken. As far as I know the law states that an abandoned animal is given 24 hours for a guardian to claim it. Sick or not. Besides Mr Psaila accepted temporary guardianship and payment for treatment. Who gave Ms Berry the right to decide to kill her? Why didn't she consult with Mr Psaila? No vet decides to kill an animal and neither he not Ms Berry had the right to do so.

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.

Isabella Peresso Fiorentino

Jul 13th 2009, 21:18

Ms Estelle Grech - You have experience regarding renal failure because one of your dogs sufferred fom it - well so do I. Besides having a dog who died of it, I do vouluntary work with a local sanctuary and I know what I'm saying here. Judging from the pics taken of the dog, she hardly seems half dead does she? I've seen worse cases believe me and these survived to live a happy life. I insist that this dog wanted to live and people just don't see it except for Mr Psaila who saw her with his own eyes. She was denied a chance to live and that is unforgivable. A half dead dog does not swim to what she thought was safety, waits in that cave for goodness knows how long, only to see the light shortly through her saviour only to be killed so soon - how ironic !!

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.

Mario Psaila

Jul 13th 2009, 20:20

@Gary Armstrong Mr Armstrong. I cannot understand your comments about Malta / Gozo and their people. Have you not realised that the vast majority of the people condemming the initial treatment of this dog, and its subsequent death, are Maltese. Like your compatriots we have the occassional cruel persons but they do things in secret, not in the open, so we do not know who they are. The vast majority of Maltese people love animals and that is why we are so strongly against the action taken by SPCA when they arbitrary took the decision to kill. If the SPCA's solution was to simply kill then we do not agree. The person responsible should not be in that position if he/she is so trigger happy. SPCAShould have allowed us to take the dog to another sanctury instead of killing it. So please stop misdirecting your comments to the Maltese people and aim your guns towards those that deserve, like those that can kill immediately with only their omnipotent strength. Finally, I am still waiting for the prove I asked for.

estelle grech

Jul 13th 2009, 15:36

@Mario Psaila

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.

Mario Psaila

Jul 13th 2009, 11:43

@ Mark Thorogood
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.

Mario Psaila

Jul 13th 2009, 11:19

@ C James
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.

estelle grech

Jul 13th 2009, 10:57

Ms Isabella Perresso Fiorentino, when an animal has kidney failure, the only thing to do is euthanize. I speak from experience when I had to make this heart breaking decision for my pet cat. There are no visible signs until it is too late.

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.

Mark Thorogood

Jul 13th 2009, 10:34

@ Mario Psaila

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"

Mario Psaila

Jul 13th 2009, 10:02

@ all
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.

C James

Jul 13th 2009, 10:01

@ Mario Psaila

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.

Mark Thorogood

Jul 13th 2009, 09:28

@Anthony Borg "I was thinking that if Gozo SPCA utilises those more then a quarter of a million euro they have in their fixed deposit accounts with HSBC..., they could have done a lot more to the dogs that need them to live today .... Who knows, maybe they would even have managed to save this poor bitch."

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

Mario Psaila

Jul 13th 2009, 09:20

@ C James
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.

Mark Thorogood

Jul 13th 2009, 06:28

@ isabella Peresso Fiorentino
"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

Anthony Borg

Jul 13th 2009, 00:55

I was thinking that if Gozo SPCA utilises those more then a quarter of a million euro they have in their fixed deposit accounts with HSBC as mentioned in their audited accounts published on their website (http://www.spca-gozo.org/SPCA_2008_Final_accounts.pdf), they could have done a lot more to the dogs that need them to live today rather then wait for the never never planning to help dogs whose grand grand grand grand parents are still years away from being born. Who knows, maybe they would even have managed to save this poor bitch.

C James

Jul 12th 2009, 23:35

@ estelle grech

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.

Mario Psaila

Jul 12th 2009, 23:11

@all
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!!

isabella Peresso Fiorentino

Jul 12th 2009, 22:07

Ms Estelle Grech - There was not enough time to establish whether the dog had kidney failure, because they killed her as soon as she was handed over to them. Yes she could have had kidney failure due to sandfly, but come on please couldn't they have given her a chance? Had the story reached the media before she was killed, with a story like that a loving soul would surely have come along to give her care and love she so truly deserved. Remember the dog survived a probable fall off a cliff and had the courage to swim to safety. Now which terminally sick dog would do that? This dog wanted to live and the signs were all there. They just didn't see it and took a hasty decision with the easy way out !!

marthese mussett

Jul 12th 2009, 21:42

if the person or persons who left this dog stranded in a cave ever get caught I think that we should do the same to them.Leave THEM stranded in a cave with no food or drink,no blankets or sheets.Then we ll see how they will like it.They can always sit and hope that somebody appears and come to their rescue.

v.pulis

Jul 12th 2009, 19:26

@Anthony Dimech
Please do not refer to the scum who made this dog suffer as an animal. You would be doing animals a disservice.

estelle grech

Jul 12th 2009, 18:46

I have had the pleasure of meeting Ms Berry recently when I adopted a dog from SPCA Gozo. I have rearely met such dedicated animal lovers. The decision to put the dog to sleep must have been a hard one, however renal failure is a terrible way for any animal to die from , so putting the dog down was the only solution in this case. Had they not done that, the dog would have died a terrible painful death. The only villian in this case is the one who dumped the poor dog. That is the only one anyone should be angry at.

A. Borg

Jul 12th 2009, 15:49

The two legged animal who contrubuted for all the suffering of this creature is still at large and this is what really matters! This animal can do it again.

Jackie Laferla

Jul 12th 2009, 13:33

Your points of view are all understandable. I would not have put the dog down especially after seeing her incredible will to live. I would have put her down knowing that at the refuge I run there is no more space and no more energy left to treat a dog that may or may not survive. However, although I am a regular volunteer at Noah's Ark and now at Happy Paws charity shop opp Lidl in Sta Venera, I feel my greatest contribution towards all animals leading a dignified life is that I do not eat them anymore. Until we condone animals suffering until death in order to be eaten by us, all animals will continue to suffer. It is up to each one of us to make that extra effort to alleviate the suffering of just one animal, be it a chicken or a dog, or a bull or a fish or a rabbit. Go green and have true genuine compassion for all animals. They all have eyes and spirit. Delve a little deeper and start with yourself rather than wasting precious energy condemning all around you. May the beautiful dog from the sea find total liberation

Dino Mifsud

Jul 12th 2009, 13:03

I am sure that in Malta there are more persons who love animals than those who dont. The thing is that most of us just weep and weep when we hear such things but then do nothing tangible to help, such as voluntary work, donations etc. Having said that the country lacks consideration towards animals and that shows the level of morality of our society. Also no adeqaute facilites/ funds are provided by the government for the care and well being of animals and I fear this will not change.....unfortunately they don't vote!! One last appeal....if you dont love animals just dont help them and ignore them, but please dont study such cruel plans to make them suffer.

s.bellizzi

Jul 12th 2009, 12:25

Just am utterly disgusted at the cruelty towards animals! When will there be severe punishments for those responsible??? We should be ashamed of these articles....apart from that it is just a bad advertisement towards Malta!

Ludwig Flask

Jul 12th 2009, 10:36

Today dogs and cats are being chipped by professional VETs, thus can government issue a law specifying that:

(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.

Melvin Tonna

Jul 12th 2009, 09:15

@ Gerry Cowie

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...

louis zammit

Jul 12th 2009, 02:35

SHAME SHAME on u people that just take a pet in there house and then he is PUT TO SUFFER in such a way...i have no WORDS for these people but they should be PUNISHED as A CRIME..........YES THEY DESERVE to go to PRISON.....a fine is not enough.....

Lawrence Magrin

Jul 11th 2009, 22:07

but instead of abiding by the law themselves, they broke the law killing the eleven dogs claiming that they were all sick with sandfly. How can they say that the dogs had sandfly when they killed the dogs on the spot without even taking blood tests?.

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

Lawrence Magrin

Jul 11th 2009, 16:54

@ Mark Thorogood

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

isabella Peesso Fiorentino

Jul 11th 2009, 16:37

Oh and by the way Mr Thorogood, in general the vet does not decide to kill an animal but the guardian does and in this case it was the SPCA Gozo.

isabella Peresdso fiorentino

Jul 11th 2009, 16:32

Why did you Mr Thorogood? Yes through experience, from the picture and what the family who found the dog said i still think the dog should have been given a chance to live and not take the easy way out and kill it instantly. Ms Berry herself said that she lacks the space to have kept her - I understand this. but don't tell me that had this story reached the media before the dog was killed she would not have found a loving soul to care for her? I rest my case and please you needn't try to justify this case - it' black on white.

Mark Thorogood

Jul 11th 2009, 13:43

@ isabella Peresso Fiorentino

let me get this straight - you, who didn't examine the dog, knows better than a very experienced vet who did.

Barb Smith

Jul 11th 2009, 12:11

After reading about this article and the way the Maltese/Gozo people treat their animals I could never visit that place again ever! It would break my heart to see suffering animals and knowing what I know now. Its time the Maltese Government did something about this. I will spread the word about this and I am sure many other people will too. Lets see how much it affects the Maltese/Gozo tourist trade.

isabella Peresso Fiorentino

Jul 11th 2009, 11:44

I'm very sorry Mr Thorogood this story does not augur well for the Gozo SPCA. A hasty decision was taken. I insist that with a little more thinking the dog would have lived and regained its health back with the right care and medication. This dog clearly wanted to live. couldn't Ms Berry and her vet have seen this??

Mark Thorogood

Jul 11th 2009, 10:49

A few basic facts seem to have been missed by a number of commentators

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

W Spencer

Jul 10th 2009, 23:57

@ franco farruggia..................sorry but truth is out, Malta / Gozo are possibly the worst offenders in the World for animal cruelty / neglect !!!

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.

Caroline |Ebejer

Jul 10th 2009, 22:24

All i can say is, how cruel the owners of this dog to have left her stranded, suffering and in hunger! What kind of souls do they have?Although i do not condone Ms Berry's decision and would have prefered if she tried to find a home for this dog, from what she said of how many strays they have and lack or quarantine space, i don't blame her.
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

F Spiteri

Jul 10th 2009, 22:18

@ Gerry Cowie...............and we are a wicked nation !

Rachel Spiteri

Jul 10th 2009, 22:10

@Fleur Spiteri - They may be spotless clean but lots of dogs were put to sleep cause there is no space for them.. I heard this from people i trust..

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.

isabella Peresso fiorentino

Jul 10th 2009, 22:08

Mr Montanaro - Two wrongs don't make a right, and I know what I'm saying here. I do voluntary work for a local sanctuary and on a daily basis we get dogs who are considered as "hopeless" to many and in a far worse condition than this dog in the pic, but with the right care and medication, these are given their health and dignity back. Whilst we all condemn the perpetrator, we can't just find the easy way out. This dog clearly WANTED to live. Couldn't Ms Berry have seen this?

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.

isabella peresso Fiorentino

Jul 10th 2009, 22:01

I just don't get it - So here we have this story of this very brave dog who was dumped off a cliff into the sea, swam to this cave where she found refuge. Along come this family who saved her, called The Society of The PROTECTION Of Animals and within 24 hours, they killed her. And why? Because she was obviously severely dehydrated and emaciated having spent so many hours in that cave. Regarding the sandfly? We all know that this can be controlled with the right medication. Since when Ms Berry is Sandfly contageous?

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 !

Franco Farrugia

Jul 10th 2009, 21:52

@ Mr Cowie - Once again, I have to bring to everybody's attention that the topic at hand, here, has nothing to do with human life but with animal dignity and their right to life!!

Gary Armstrong

Jul 10th 2009, 21:41

I am amazed at the negative responses posted about the SPCA on this article. The SPCA must deal with hundreds of cases of animal cruelty and have to deal with the most heart wrenching of situations. All over the world animal organizations are stretched to the limit and massively underfunded, as sub human people think its ok to abuse animals, and it would appear that Malta and Gozo have more than their fair share. I used to holiday on Malta and Gozo, but now find it hard to visit a country that has such a bad reputation for animal cruelty, I notice that joining the EU has made no difference!! Before people jump the gun and criticize the SPCA maybe they should look at themselves and take a long hard look at the way their fellow countrymen are quite happy to dispose of a supposed loved animal like a piece of trash. Maybe get out of your armchair and look at the horrific stories of treatment of animals in your country and realize that organizations like the SPCA have to try and pick up the pieces and deal with this savagery. Shame on you

Gerry Cowie

Jul 10th 2009, 21:04

There is no excuse for this type of cruelty. Indeed in the UK you can get a heavier sentence for animal cruelty than you can for hurting another human being. Sadly the balance is all wrong. The animals we have in our care are our responsibility.

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.

adrian aquilina

Jul 10th 2009, 20:40

the police need to seriously investigate all these cases and the courts should be told to give severly big fines and sentences...it seems the rspca in the uk can investigate and find people responsible but here the police cant,or dont try very hard..the dog that was found down the cliff and the cats near stmicro shoudnt be so hard to investigate...

Franco Farrugia

Jul 10th 2009, 20:30

Once again, I am aware of the problems that animal sanctuaries and individuals are facing .... we are facing animal cruelty at its worst, and believe me, dear readers, only the tip of the iceberg makes its way to the pages of the newspapers!!! However, killing the animals is not going to save the problem: it will merely be sweeping the dirt under the carpet and help the authorities that continually look the other way (at best!) when faced with the stark reality of animal wellbeing in our country. Unfortunately, there is no political will to help animals, in Malta.

Franco Farrugia

Jul 10th 2009, 20:28

I realise that it is not easy at all to be in the position of Ms Barry. However, I do not think that it is right for her to take 'decisions on her feet' because actually, she has no right to take away life! Or is animal-life ok to take away 'on one's feet'? Is this the message at SPCA in Malta and in Gozo is giving us? ... that animal life is less precious and less serious than human life? If this is so, Ms Barry and SPCA should know that they are preparing the foundations ... no, they ACTUALLY ARE the foundations of all those who are cruel to animals because it is THIS belief ... that animal life is at the whim of the human being, which is at the origin of all animal-cruelty! Ms Barry, you do wonderful work, but if you are tired, make way for others. It is better not to be in that position than killing that animal. By the way, 'putting down' actually means 'killing'! Let nobody think otherwise.

Fleur Spiteri

Jul 10th 2009, 19:53

@ Rachel Spiteri = how very wrong you are ! Try going to the SPCA in Floriana and see the puppies and dogs there. There are kept spotless clean and look all very happy. From what i gather Gozo is just the same. Rather than comment about the SPCA, you should have commented about the 'object' that threw this dog away like a piece of paper. To Alan Montanaro - i will match your eur 100 for proper incriminating information about the huskie, with the hope that if caught the person concered is properly punished ! As you said, you dont have a huskie one day, and not the next. I'm sure the neighbours know who the person this !!

C. Weitze

Jul 10th 2009, 19:12

Could you please stop critizising Ms. Berry's decision!

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.

W Spencer

Jul 10th 2009, 18:57

@ d attard ...............It is always best to read ALL comments regarding a subject, before making critical comments. A representative of the SPCA did in fact state that a vet was called, and he, the vet, made the decision that the dog should be put to sleep. !!

d attard

Jul 10th 2009, 18:47

I am very disappointed with the very crude approach and wording used by the representative of the SPCA. Surely a Vet should have been consulted and an appeal made in the media to find the animal a home. This was NOT good news for the SPCA.

W Spencer

Jul 10th 2009, 17:44

@ charlesgrech / sharon azzopardi and other animal expert / critics. Can we assume that SPCA has all your phone numbers ( available 24 / 7 ) so that you can be contacted immediately needy / sick animals are found, to provide a temporary homes for the said animals, to help the overworked staff, and over crowded kennels at the SPCA ? Is my name on that list, to my shame ....no. Because there is so much cruelty to, and so much neglect of, too many unwanted animals in Malta / Gozo, I just close my eyes. The reason being that my personal experience regarding reporting animal cruelty / negligence, has fallen deaf ears Keep up the excellent work Betty !!!

alan Montanaro

Jul 10th 2009, 17:31

Its very disheartening and disappointing that most of the threads below are about Ms Berry and the SPCA. Where is the outrage against the perpetrator of these vile acts??? Where is the pressure on the authorities to do something against the people who commit these atrocities against their trusting pets???? This is why such acts of cruelty happen... because they get away with it, while we get caught up in the peripheral details. If you don't want this dog to have been put down in vain...then write to the papers, contact your ministers, and if you know anyone in the police force... contact then too and DEMAND AN INVESTIGATION. Put your money where your mouth is! The owner should always be the starting point.

v.pulis

Jul 10th 2009, 17:14

It is about time that animal cruelty is addressed in a serious matter on the island. Any one caught abusing animals should be fined a hefty sum which would go to finance the animal sanctuaries in malta and when I mean hefty I mean thousands of euros not hundreds. The condemned should also be made to work at the sanctuary among the animals he hates so much.

Rachel Spiteri

Jul 10th 2009, 16:54

To be quite honest, i prefer a dog to live on the street than to be at spca...

GiovDeMartino

Jul 10th 2009, 16:11

My daughter had a large mongrel which was attacked by sandfly. She did everything in her power to cure it and cure she did till he died of old age at 15 years. But she had to spend a substantial some of money to do. She did not regret it. A dog is always a....dog.

charlesgrech

Jul 10th 2009, 15:39

Pity that this dog was put down. I know of other worse cases that were cured, healed and even homed. Visit these two websites:

www.sosanimalsmalta.com

www.saintfrancisfoundation.com

Carmel Gatt

Jul 10th 2009, 14:34

Ms Berry is a generous humane person, who against all odds, is doing her utmost to take care of strays. The problem of strays has grown to be so acute that no wonder she is under such a strain. However, I believe that she acted that little bit rashly when she decided to put the poor dog to sleep. Sandfly disease can nowadays be cured. I think that Ms Berry should have given the dog a chance to get well. I think that she would have found a lot of kind-hearted persons who would have paid for the cure. And she should have consulted a vet. However, this episode must not be allowed to obscure the sterling work she is doing among strays. Well done indeed!

Mark Thorogood

Jul 10th 2009, 14:23

If you wish to learn more about Gozo SPCA, and how you can help them, please visit their website
http://www.spca-gozo.org/

Simon J. Aquilina

Jul 10th 2009, 13:57

Animal cruelty should be punished! The police forces should investigate crimes like this one. Anyone who can do this to a dog can also do the same to a human and therefore a risk to our society. If the police are too busy to do so that a new unit should be introduced (such as rangers) which would have the duty to do such work! Additionally more hefty penalties should be introduced.
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!

a. sciberras

Jul 10th 2009, 13:37

well done for your efforts ms. berry! you, along with your team, are an irreplaceable jewel for gozo! we animal-loving gozitans are grateful for your work. i am sure it was not an easy decision for you to put down this dog, you being someone who cares so much for animals. i also understand the family's frustration - however please look at it in this way: you helped end a dog's pain, suffering and fright while being all alone in that cave, thus dying a more dignified death than it would otherwise have done.

Mark Thorogood

Jul 10th 2009, 13:28

@R. Agius "Whilst I am in no way putting in doubt Ms. Berry's expertise, I would have preferred that she consulted a vet."

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"

jcmicallef

Jul 10th 2009, 13:23

@ Alan Montanaro - thank you for your stand.

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!

Mark Thorogood

Jul 10th 2009, 12:54

@Sharon Azzopardi " if people were not willing to treat it they should have delegated the work onto others. there are many willing"

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.

Ray Buhagiar

Jul 10th 2009, 12:54

Ministers and members of parliament please do something. Do what the spanish did in Girona. A law ensuring that all dogs are registered, given proper shelter and taken for a walk each day. Dog owners must not keep their dogs barking and annoying neighbours. A barking dog is simply a stressed dog lookiing for attention. And the police should act immediately.

David Wirrrich

Jul 10th 2009, 12:40

Like Mr Montanaro, I too offered a reward for the coward who thew the husky off a cliff with a rope round its neck, and now we have another case of blatant cruelty. How much more are we to put up with before the authorities act and act quickly with prison sentences to accompany such vile cruelty. Ms Berry had no option but to euthanase the wretched dog and I applaud her actions. Malta you are now in the EU, act with compassion to animals as other EU countries do. Stray animals used to be blamed on the British Forces previously; what is the excuse now they have been gone 30 years? For a so called Christian country I am appalled and just pray to God that some MP might have the guts to put some tough legislation through Parliament.

alan Montanaro

Jul 10th 2009, 12:29

@Sharon Azzopardi and anyone else condemming Ms Berry's decision

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.

sharon azzopardi

Jul 10th 2009, 12:17

you do not put a dog to sleep if there is,even a minimal chance of it recovering\surviving. this poor creature should have been given a second decent shot at life but unfortunately man thought otherwise. if a child has a contagiuos disease what, do we do kill him\her? NO. if people were not willing to treat it they should have delegated the work onto others. there are many willing.

alan montanaro

Jul 10th 2009, 12:05

@ ALL

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

Vincent Galea

Jul 10th 2009, 12:02

Do I feed my dog before I feed myself ? ....of course I do : )

John Lauri

Jul 10th 2009, 11:47

Mahatma Gandhi famously said : The moral development of a nation can be judged by the way that its animals are treated by its citizens !

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 !!!!!!!!

Gabriella Ellul

Jul 10th 2009, 11:46

How disgusting! How can a human being do something so horrific? How can this person sleep at night? Just imagine the example that these adults are giving to their children. Incredible! I would risk my own life in order to safeguard one of my pets. If not, why bother getting them in your homes? Animals are not objects and it is about time that the animal protection laws are enforced. What are we waiting for? Aren't we supposed to be a civilised country? Isn't there anybody who knows anything about who did this pathetic gesture. Impossible...everybody knows everything about anybody here and yet we never seem to know who does these cruel acts to animals just like the husky and the stray cats in Kirkop. Animals are being tortured and abandoned everyday and these scoundrels always manage to get away with it. Personally I would torture them just like they torture animals. Paying a fine is definitely not enough. The law must be harsh enough for them to learn a lesson and to make them understand the pain that this dog or any other abandoned animal went through. But will this ever happen?

Emmanuel Ebejer

Jul 10th 2009, 11:32

How about introducing an Animal Cruelty Hotline? Ensuring animal welfare is a human responsibility.

Moira Heath

Jul 10th 2009, 11:05

I support Ms Berry's unfortunate decision. People think this was a one-off case but the reality she deals with on a daily basis shows that we are not such a loving bunch after all. It is sad that this poor dog had to be put down but the risk to other dogs' lives would have been too big. I do not believe enough is done in this country to fight animal cruelty. I think we have a very long way to go as a country to indoctrinate the ignorant about how pets are not toys.

Ennanuel Ebejer

Jul 10th 2009, 11:01

And we can only imagine the amount of dogs kept in cruel conditions in fields and farms. Such conditions as being kept locked up for days in inclement weather or blazing sun without shelter or food. Something has to be done.

R. Ellul

Jul 10th 2009, 10:44

Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. Proverbs 12:10 To the ones who do such cruel actions towards animals there will be a time when you shall have to answer for your actions either in this world or the next before God!!!
If you say you don't believe in God wait and see !!!!!!!

There is no excuse for such cruelty

Rachel Spiteri

Jul 10th 2009, 10:39

put her to sleep?????????

R. Agius

Jul 10th 2009, 10:36

Whilst I am in no way putting in doubt Ms. Berry's expertise, I would have preferred that she consulted a vet.

J. Borg

Jul 10th 2009, 10:12

and humans are supposed to have souls (& right for eternal life) whilst animals don't ??

D Schembri

Jul 10th 2009, 10:11

Each time I hear about animal cruelty, my heart sinks. I cant understand how cruel can one be to harmless gentle creatures, but then looking at how cruel we can be to one another, Im not at all surprised.

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.