Dani MacDonald, Victoria
Unfair criticism of SPCA
As a volunteer at the Gozo SPCA, I was distressed to read criticism of Betty Berry for deciding to put to sleep the dog which was rescued from the cave near Qala. The Psaila family did the right thing in calling the Civil Protection Department to rescue the poor dog, thank goodness, but should realise that the decision to humanly put her out of her misery will have been an incredibly difficult and painful one.
I was with Ms Berry on New Year's day to rescue the dog who was severely beaten then dumped in a rubbish bin (as reported in The Times on January 2). Upon establishing that his injuries were too severe to save him, I was with the dog when he was put to sleep. So I understand the distress that the euthanasia of the rescued dog may have caused the Psaila family.
However, I think it is unfair to pin the blame on the SPCA. The dog was clearly not "fine" as quoted by Mario Psaila in the article. German Shepards should weigh between 30 and 40 kgs and the rescued dog weighed only 19 kg.
She also appeared to be suffering from an advanced case of sand fly, for which there is no cure and therefore is extremely expensive to treat. Did the Psaila family offer to pay the bills in order to try and save the dog before accusing the SPCA of "not giving it a chance"?
The Gozo SPCA is a voluntary charitable organisation which relies on the charity and generosity of others, and we must face the facts that while obviously we want to save and re-home as many animals as possible it is not always feasible to do so. May I suggest that the Psaila family come to the centre to see our many beautiful healthy dogs who need loving homes?
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CHARLES GRECH
Jul 27th 2009, 21:11
@ Austen Lennon.
I suggest that you walk a day in the shoes of one of these 'great' people whom you attack and you will experience the frustrations of animal rescue or do as I do and put your money where you mouth is and donate!
Donate towards what? Killing dogs that needs love and tender care.
"Great People" . Just ask members of MASS and PAAWS about their opinions of GOZO SPCA.
Austen Lennon
Jul 26th 2009, 17:05
@M Psaila
You are causing much damage to the cause of animal welfare in Malta. What do you think your running to the press will achieve? What do you think your un-knowledgeable accusations against the staff of the Gozo SPCA will do to these very dedicated people? Do you think your public statements will make people run to the nearest SPCA to donate money to keep the 100's of animals that they care for alive? Do you think that attacking 'foreigners' who work at defending animals everyday when you are at the beach will make them more dedicated? Or are these 'foreigners' just raking in thousands of euros whilst butchering animals?
You did the right thing by rescuing the dog but you are making baseless and uneducated statements about animal medicine and the condition of the dog and are causing much damage to people and organisations that are out there everyday fighting to save animals.
I suggest that you walk a day in the shoes of one of these 'great' people whom you attack and you will experience the frustrations of animal rescue or do as I do and put your money where you mouth is and donate!
charles grech
Jul 24th 2009, 22:37
Each dog that enters the premises of SPCA is protected by law for 7 days.
An appology to the Psaila family is not enough as it is now more clear than ever that Government et al including Minister George Pullicino gave a vehicle to facilitate more collect and kills by the GOZO SPCA.
Gozo needs another revolution in the animal welfare field.
Idsabella Peresso Fiorentino
Jul 23rd 2009, 22:13
Gozo SPCA - Why is it so difficult for you to admit a mistake and give the Psaila family an apology. And why was the killing so fast? As far as I know, every animal found abandoned is given 24 hours for someone to claim it. Why was this dog denied this chance.? Perhaps she was lost after all, who gave you the right to kill her ?
Suzanne Psaila
Jul 14th 2009, 17:45
@lesley kreupl
Lesley, this is ridiculous! What importance does the nationality of the first cruelty act have? I don't know who committed the first atrocity against Cave Dog and against the Husky but I know for sure that I condemn EVERY sort animal cruelty done by both Maltese and by foreigners alike! I won't be writing further - my family's good action was to save the dog and take it to where they thought it could be homed - and,if really sick, then cured! Is this the message you are giving the public? that you can put a sick dog to sleep?? IF the dog really was sick (vet's official report?), then the first priority should have been CURE. We are trying to fight animal cruelty, and SPCA Gozo took the easy way out by putting it to sleep. You refrain and I...I rest my word and let the authorities deal with this now. Good luck to all.
Mario Psaila
Jul 14th 2009, 00:54
@ lesley Kriupl
You are amazingly out of point. All nationalities have their bad eggs, but their actions are condemmed by all irrespective of their nationality.
Your words actually indicate that you know the person who maltreated the dog, so please speak up so that justice will be done.
On the other hand we do know who killed it, and we condemm it irrespective of the nationality of the killer.
Now stop trying to justify this killing by going off on tangents which have nothing to do with the case.
David Kinsella
Jul 13th 2009, 22:44
I too have had a similar experience where a dog I rescued and took to the SPCA was put down without me being informed. The dog was a bitch and I found her on the roundabout near the bus terminus, in Birgu. I was told by the SPCA that she had spine problems and that is why she couldn't walk well (hit by car?). She was put on painkillers and later on, passed dark feces, suggesting she probably had some internal bleeding. While I was a bit disappointed that I had not been informed that she was going to be put down, I of course accepted the vet's diagnosis and decision on her fate and realised that if the SPCA had called me to tell me that she was going to be put down, that moment, even though short, would have been an additional moment of agony for her. So, I now think that they did well. Even if they called me before putting her down, what purpose would it have served? I mean, if there's nothing to do, there's nothing to do. Thanks to the Psaila family, the SPCA and everyone involved. I'm sure we all mean well.
lesley kreupl
Jul 13th 2009, 20:06
Excuse me Suzanne, but who dumped this poor dog in the sea in the first place? and who threw the husky over the cliff? You obviously have your priorites and I will refrain from replying to your old correspondence here and in GozoNews. Have a good evening
Suzanne Psaila
Jul 13th 2009, 12:21
@ Lesley Kreupl _03
The link I've sent you in my previous comment is where you can see other people's comments which I consider absolutely vital. What they say is what I expected from SPCA Gozo.
Now here is a link to my article, which I hope you will appreciate:
http://gozonews.com/featured/more-awareness-against-animal-cruelty-please/
Good day
Suzanne Psaila
Jul 13th 2009, 02:37
@ Lesley Kreupl _02
I have had animals all my life, they've had diseases but because we love our pets we treated them-so believe me I know how long it takes to get results and I know a dog, just like any living being, can live with a disease if cared for. Yet, cave dog was put down shortly after its arrival at SPCA G. Shame!! Where are the results?Can we see any? Even if it WAS sick, with all the money at your disposal WHY didn't SPCA G try to cure it, for a chance to live-even if for a short time??
I remind you that Ms.Berry immediately complained that there was no space for the dog! I've received LOADS of emails with stories of people phoning SPCA about animals they save, they are allegedly told not to take them there, or, worse still, to fork out 40euros for the lethal injection.
You asked why doesn't Mario Psaila's family do something against cruelty, haven't you read my article?
Don't attack the Maltese population for this cruelty..we can do a better job than putting animals down, we'll give them a chance to live-healthy or not!
http://gozonews.com/featured/gozo-spca-highlights-more-horrific-cases-of-cruelty/
Suzanne Psaila
Jul 13th 2009, 02:20
@ Lesley Kreupl _01
Me and my "fellow Maltese" are the ones who SAVED the dog and who are now fighting SPCA Gozo for not having given it a chance to live! You and your 'fellow foreigners' at SPCA Gozo are fighting us for bringing this story in the open. I am sorry to say, but you seem to be finding excuses to dismiss the killing. I have the pictures of the German Shephard and it does not look at all like the description given by SPCA Gozo. Yes, of course it was thin (although initial weight was more than the weight SPCA is now claiming it weighed) - wouldn't you be if you didn't eat or drink for a long time abandoned alone somewhere hoping and grasping to every second of life. Once you arrive at hospital would a doctor (or his representative) have killed you? Alright I am not a vet but I DO know that blood tests require some time to take. The dog was killed shortly after its arrival at your "help centre"!!!
We will not let it's death be in vain...
emanuel magrin
Jul 12th 2009, 21:00
@ Mr. Lesley Kreupi.
Mr. Kreupi. Have you forked out all your money? Did you give them all your time? Did you sacrifice your friends, hobbies, car, your property and personal belongings, your family etc etc etc. People who know me will tell you. I was one of the first members of the first govermental Animal Welfare Steering Committee under Dr. Alfred Sant's premiership and used to have frequent meetings with the late Mr. Paul Avellino at his home in Gharb - to help out and better the situation of animals in Gozo. It was decided that all the govermental projects that were planned for Malta were to be duplicated for GOZO too including a 24/7 animal hospital , When there was a change in government I immediately forwarded all the details to the newly elected Nationalist Government to continue where the Labour Goverment under Dr. Sant's Premiership left off. Unfortunatly everything was scrapped. Let me point out that I am not interested in partisan politics. When I am called to rescue an animal I do not ask to which political party it belongs. I just go and help the poor creature for the love of GOD.
Lesley Kreupl
Jul 12th 2009, 18:47
Mr. Psaila,
I can understand your reaction on hearing about the death of this poor dog after having gone to so much trouble to save her. However, is so easy to criticize when you are not facing the crisis yourself. Over the years, Ms Berry has attended to hundreds of animals rescued by, the SPCA - many of them suffering from unbelievable trauma – physical and mental - inflicted on them by your fellow Maltese!
Ms Berry is fully aware of what sort of life a dog infected with Leishmaniasis would have to endure as there is no Animal Hospital in Gozo (neither is there one in Malta as far as I know). There are times in life when one has to make very difficult decisions and one can't please everyone, all of the time.
Perhaps as a result of this very sad case you and your family could pressure the Government to DO something about animal cruelty on these islands so that the Ms Berry's of this world would not have to make such decisions.
I will not deign to comment on Mr. Magrin's virulent spew, except to ask what he has done for animals on Gozo?
Emanuel Magrin
Jul 12th 2009, 17:23
@ Mark Thorogood.
What makes you think that we are paid volunteers? We gave all we owned from our own pockets for forty years plus. We did it out of love for these poor creatures. BUT WE DID IT WELL IN THEIR BEST INTERESTS. You did not put the poor cave dog to sleep. YOU KILLED IT WHEN IT PLEADING FOR COMPASSION. WHEN IT NEED IT YOU MOST. ZZZARRRRMMMMAAAAWWWWW.
"Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission - to be of service to them whenever they require it." - St Francis of Assisi
Mario Psaila
Jul 12th 2009, 16:26
@Mark Thorogood
I assume that the one more time comment was for me.
Well, I did not see any noticeable lack of hair on the dog. All I saw was a dog in need of attention. She was extremely happy to see us while we were rescueing her. I have a right NOT TO AGREE with your VET and Ms Berry on the EXTENT of the dog's illnesses and believe that with some care her life could have been prolonged without her suffering.
To convince me otherwise you should have shown me BEFORE you killed the poor dog. And you should not have opened on attack on us as if we were the ones who abondoned the dog, rather then the ones who rescued it.
Your organisation was too quick to destroy as you were not aware that I would be following up on the animal's fate. Now please stop treating me like an ignorant and naughty child. It is not the first time I rescued animals and cared for them until they were cured. I do not agree with the action taken and other NGOs have assured me they would have tried to save the dog, not kill it.
Mark Thorogood
Jul 12th 2009, 15:47
OK, one more time
This dog rescued from being thrown into the sea was rushed to the vet. It was in the most terrible state, a walking skeleton with no hair on her spine which jutted up, she was hanging in ticks. Had crusty ears, weeping pus-filled eyes and long claws. We weighed her – she weighed just 19 kilos! All the indications were of Leishmaniasis which was confirmed by the vet’s rapid sandfly test. He also did a kidney function test and found the dog to be suffering renal failure. The prognosis was hopeless and the vet and Gozo SPCA decided that the kindest thing we could do would be to end her suffering in as painless a way as possible.
The animal was to put to sleep because it was believed to be in its best interests. It was not put down due to lack of money or lack of space. You may disagree to the expert prognosis, but please don't think putting the dog to sleep was for any other reason than what was considered best for the animal. Putting an animal to sleep is never an easy option. To suggest otherwise is extremely offensive.
Mario Psaila
Jul 12th 2009, 15:27
@Lesley Kreupl
Your contribution below suggests that Ms Berry is a saint. Well, she did not sound like a saint to me the only time I spoke to her. I did not feel any compassion or kindness enimating from her although I may be mistaken since I know her only by her actions and not personally.
However, your last paragraph puts shivers up my spine and icy fingers around my heart. If there were more people who would give out the same treatment as Ms Berry gave the cave dog, then certainly there would be no need for any SPCA or animal sanctuaries since there would be no animals to take care of.
However, remember that even children have to be placed in homes sometimes, so how can one expect that animals will not need homes!
One final word. My family was not told that the cave dog was going to be killed unless money and a place were found for it. No, we were told that it HAS ALREADY been killed. The message given out is that people effecting any animal rescue should OBEY and just sit around while the animal they rescued is killed.
Mark Thorogood
Jul 12th 2009, 15:19
@ Mr. Magrin
You are right - we are a bunch of amateurs. Other than one employee who is seconded from the Ministry for Gozo, we are all unpaid volunteers.
EMANUEL MAGRIN
Jul 12th 2009, 14:24
@ Roger Flett.
I did hear of the word MASS ACRES. IF YOUR ARE REFERENING TO OTHER ANIMAL WELFARE NGO'S PLEASE NOTE THAT IN MALTA WE WORK TOGETHER HELPING ONE ANOTHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD AND WELLBIENG OF ANIMALS. It seems that you are living in the other century. HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE WORD PAAWS? My online comments are not in any way directed at Ms. Barabara Cassar Torreggiani and the present Malta SPCA.
Emanuel Magrin
Jul 12th 2009, 13:51
@ Mr. Thorogood.
There are vets and vets. That is why we refer to second and third opinions. Our activities helping animals take us to around 40 years of hard work to SAVE ANIMALS IN DISTRESS AND NOT TAKE SHORT CUTS AND KILL THEM. The word SPCA is synonymous and that is why we have so many HARD WORKING AND GENUINE NGO'S IN MALTA BECUASE YOU FAILED GROSSLY AND MISSERABLY TO PROTECT AND TRULY HELP THE POOREST OF THE POOR, THE STRAYS WHO HAVE NOTHING.
My word against yours and the intelligent readers of this highly esteemed newspaper find it very simple to decide who is right. You refused assistance from another NGO and KILLED THE POOR DOG WHO NEEDED YOUR HELP. God knows how many other animals needed your assistance and you let them down. I am more than ever convinced that you are a bunch of amatures. This time round I suggest that you CLOSE DOWN. YOU ARE A DISSERVICE TO ANIMALS.
THE PROOF OF THE PUDING IS IN THE EATING.
WORKING FOR THE ANIMALS,
EMANUEL MAGRIN
DIRECTOR
SAINT FRANCIS FOUNDATION FOR ANIMALS (MALTA)
www.saintfrancisfoundation.com
SOS ANIMALS MALTA
www.sosanimalsmalta.com
Mark Thorogood
Jul 12th 2009, 11:46
@ Mr. Magrin
If things were not properly cheched out YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS. (she should resign)
"Yes Ms. Berry should resign or be made to resign FULL STOP."
Ah, that little word, that means so much, if.
You say if, but then you assume the dog wasn't properly checked out. Why do you think the vet was consulted, if not to check it out ?
As the expression in English goes, if my auntie had balls she would be my uncle.
Roger Flett
Jul 11th 2009, 21:32
@E Magrin
The days when animal NGO's tried to score cheap points off each other are long since gone, have you not heard of MASS?
1996 indeed, isn't it time you joined the present century?
lesley kreupl
Jul 11th 2009, 20:58
To all those who condemn the decision made by the veterinary surgeon and Ms Berry:
Ms Berry is a wonderful, compassionate, kind person. She would be the last person to give an 'order' to put down an animal if there was another option available.
Be reasonable, would you condemn an animal (or a human being for that matter) to a life of pain, and indignity just so that you could be patted on the back and told that you were a 'good guy'? Would you be prepared to sit with that animal, or person, 24/7 and watch it slowly suffer the indignities of no longer being in control of its bodily functions? Of slowly starving as one by one of its organs gave up? Of course we must also take into consideration that this state of affairs was caused by other 'human being' out to make a profit!!!
Don't criticise so lightly, stop and think – if there were just a few more people on these islands with Ms Berry's calibre, we wouldn't need the SPCA or other Animal Sanctuaries! Why can't we all take care of our own pets?
Roger Flett
Jul 11th 2009, 19:52
@M Psaila
We are proud that we are one of the few (possibly only) NGO's who have published their full audited accounts on a regular basis. The money that you refer to arose from a bequest and is ring fenced for the purpose of building new premises. We have been in negotiation with the Ministry for the last 20 years for suitable land to build these premises, since they own virtually all of the 'Intensive Farming Land' that MEPA required for such a site. We live in hope that now the Government is taking such a positive and proactive role in Animal welfare that we will at last achieve our goal. Unfortunately over the years the real value of this money has been severely eroded but we have sought to counter this with judicial fund raising and fiscal control. Such premises would undoubtedly help in similar situations, but I do not think that the outcome would have been any different for this dog. Please come and visit us next time you are in Gozo and see what we achieve in our inadequate premises. We will also be pleased to give a detailed breakdown of where our money is spent.
Mario Psaila
Jul 11th 2009, 19:11
Many times during this online discussion, the question of money cropped up. I would like to ask if the accounts for Gozo SPCA as, for example, seen on www.spca-gozo.org/SPCA_2008_Final_accounts.pdf are correct since they show an amount of €240,847.17 deposited in various accounts held with HSBC. Couldn't part of that sum be used to make it possible for more animals to be cured? It might have saved the life of our cave dog!! I may be mistaken in this as I am not an accountant and may have missread the accounts, however anybody can see them either through the above link or from their website www.spca-gozo.org.
David Pinfold
Jul 11th 2009, 17:58
After reading the article and comments I feel there is one BIG lesson from this. The Goverment needs to pull there socks up and with the help of the Gozo SPCA build a centre for the welfare of all the animals that need help on this Island. If there was sufficient money, room and a quarantine area in a purpose built centre then I am sure that these unfortunate incidents would not occur. I would just like to say one more thing. Ms Berry has and I know always will do, the best she possibly can with what resources she has. But she is only human and I know she has suffered the full and heavy burden of running the Gozo SPCA with such inadequate resources. Shame on the Goverment for putting this task on a voluntary organization
emanuel magrin
Jul 11th 2009, 16:53
@ Mr. Thorogood.
If things were not properly cheched out YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS. We are exerienced animal carers who always take a second opinion and a third one if need be. Let me remind you that on the 14th of March 1996 eleven healty dogs under the care of ANIMAL RESCUE MALTA were literally massacred by government vets, ALE police and the Malta SPCA. The authorities abused of their powers and this was confirmed by the Ombudsman Report Case No. 748. In other words a leading animal welfare NGO was framed up. For further information just have a look at the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcsfFEOuFHo
The reason that Malta ended up with so many different NGO's is because government has always hindered their work like in the case of the two animal ambulances donated by foreigners to The Saint Francis Foundation for Animals - http://www.maltastar.com/pages/ms09dart.asp?a=2381 - and because the past Malta SPCA stood for Slaughter of Pets and Cuddly Animals. We had several similar and worst cases than the one of the German Sheperd and we successfully gave them THE BEST AND MADE THEIR LIVES COMFORTABLE WITH COMPASSION. Yes Ms. Berry should resign or be made to resign FULL STOP.
Roger Flett
Jul 11th 2009, 16:45
@M.Psaila
Bringing up one dog with sandfly disease does not make any one an expert.Spending thirty odd years with strays and participating in the only scientific research that was ever done on these Islands, does qualify Mrs Berry as an expert.Treated early enough,the prognosis for a happy outcome is good.Sandfly is a degenerative disease, the poor dog was eight+ years, was never treated, so damage to its renal system was irreversible. The decision was jointly taken by the Vet and Mrs Berry, but you choose to ignore the other professional involved.This incident has upset you greatly, but spare a thought for the people on the other end of your phone calls whom you expected to deal with the situation for you.They face such horrific incidents on a daily basis and as Dani said, the distress is no less for them. But on top of this, having to also deal with ill informed criticism,albeit in the minority, is unfair in the extreme. You would be far better directing your energy towards physically helping organisations such as ours on a daily basis, and also influencing them from within. Words are cheap, but such involvement costs a lot more in personal commitment.
Franco Farrugia
Jul 11th 2009, 16:20
@ M. Gahan - Allow me to clarify my point, perhaps I can stop you from weeping. I am not condemning Ms Berry. I have the utmost respect for people like her, dedicating their lives to the saving of animals, doing the dirty work of others when it comes to animals.
But I condemn every action carried out by simply anyone who thinks that animal life is ours to decide. I condemn all those who say that they are animal-lovers who then, perhaps without their realising it, give the opposite message. The message that volunteers such as Ms Berry are giving, is that the life of an animal can be decided by us - and that should not be the case. If a human life is a precious one in the eyes of God, so is an animal's life. And it cannot be decided 'on one's feet'!
I sincerely feel that some volunteers are working under duress and are being subjected to fatigue. Only this is the excuse that I would expect with regard to Ms Berry's decision to have the dog's life terminated at her order, as I presume.
emanuel magrin
Jul 11th 2009, 16:02
@ Mr. Thorogood.
If things were not properly cheched out YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS. We are exerienced animal carers who always take a second opinion and a third one if need be. Let me remind you that on the 14th of March 1996 eleven healty dogs under the care of ANIMAL RESCUE MALTA were literally massacred by government vets, ALE police and the Malta SPCA. The authorities abused of their powers and this was confirmed by the Ombudsman Report Case No. 748. In other words a leading animal welfare NGO was framed up. For further information just have a look at the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcsfFEOuFHo
The reason that Malta ended up with so many different NGO's is because government has always hindered their work like in the case of the two animal ambulances donated by foreigners to The Saint Francis Foundation for Animals - http://www.maltastar.com/pages/ms09dart.asp?a=2381 - and because the past Malta SPCA stood for Slaughter of Pets and Cuddly Animals. We had several similar and worst cases than the one of the German Sheperd and we successfully gave them THE BEST AND MADE THEIR LIVES COMFORTABLE WITH COMPASSION. Yes Ms. Berry should resign or be made to resign FULL STOP.
Mario Psaila
Jul 11th 2009, 13:41
I refer to the comments made by Mr Gahan and advise him that we wept before him when the dog we rescued was not given a chance at all, although we had already organised with other animal care societies to take care of it. Once again I would have paid for its care but I was not even advised that this dog was going to be killed in the shortest time possible. I am sure that you people are usually doing a good job, BUT NOT IN THIS CASE.
What sort of rescue is it when an animal is killed within a very short time of its so called rescue??
Also, why did the policeman who delivered the dog to Gozo SPCA had to argue and argue with them on the phone to take the dog in. Maybe they did not want it in the first place?
I kept a dog alive for 9 years while infected with sandfly, so there is nothing anybody can teach me about this desease. Dani's letter is very clear, it was just a question of money, which I would have put up had I been asked. In fact I had already offerred payment.
Mark Thorogood
Jul 11th 2009, 13:35
@Mr Magrin
I presume you are calling for the vet to also resign his position !
Mr Psaila's explanation is indeed detailed, but not complete. The vet agreed the kindest thing for the animal was to put it to sleep - that is why it was put to sleep, not financial and not due to lack of space, but because the vet believed it to be the kindest thing to do FOR THE ANIMAL.
David Gahan
Jul 11th 2009, 12:37
I have now read the comments of Mario Psaila and Franco Farrugia and they make me want to weep, because they have got matters so totally and utterly wrong. The SPCA Gozo NEVER puts down / kills / puts to sleep (call it what you will) an animal unless it cannot be saved. I know because I have worked as a volunteer at the Centre in Victoria for the past three years. I and many others do it simply because we love animals and feel that they have a lot to teach us superior human beings on how to behave. In the past year I have visited every primary and secondary school in Gozo (bar one, which did not reply to my e-mail), and in every case we have experienced the utmost respect and gratitude for what we are doing for animals in need in Gozo. PLEASE, Mr Psaila and Mr Farrugia, come and visit our tiny and totally inadequate Centre in Victoria. You will see the miracles we are performing in rescuing dogs, cats and birds which without us would have had an agonising death. Nearly 400 animals a year. Without us........ ??????
emanuel magrin
Jul 11th 2009, 12:01
@ BETTY BARRY.
In view of the detailed explanation by Mr. Mario Psaila - the gentleman who rescued the dog -
the only honourable decision for Ms Berry is to R E S I G N. IVA IRREZENJA MALAJR.
Working for the Animals,
Emanuel Magrin
Director
SFFA (Malta)
www.saintfrancisfoundation.com
Mario Psaila
Jul 11th 2009, 11:03
Dani MacDonald's letter of today shows that she has absolutely no idea of what really happened during and after the rescue of the Cave Dog. When we found this dog I phoned up innumerable numbers from my mobile spending a long time on each number trying to find out who actually can help us rescue the dog from the cave. The civil protection police finally came through with their dinghy, although we had to use our own dinghy to get the dog out of the cave since their dinghy was too large fo this job. They did an admirable job.
I had also arranged with Noah's Ark to take the dog if there was no place for it in Gozo, and as I have done many times already, I was ready to pay any amount for upkeep and treatment of this dog.
Ms Berry first demanded to know why I did not contact her before the police, as if that would have stopped her from killing the poor animal, then said it was a question of space. Now its a question of money. Decide why you killed this dog Gozo SPCA!!!!
Mark Thorogood
Jul 11th 2009, 10:42
Thank you for your kind words Dani, and also for introducing some realism to the discussion.
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
Franco Farrugia
Jul 11th 2009, 10:25
I agree with the writer - indeed, Ms Berry is to be commended for her sterling work with animals. That, in itself, is a fact.
However, M. MacDonald should equally be aware that killing animals because there is no home for them and that there is no way they are going to be homed, is a disgusting manner how to try and alleviate the problem and make out that the problem is not there. That is what the authorities want: people to do the dirty work for them, killing dogs and cats (they call it 'putting to sleep' - it is not sleep, it is death!) in order to remove the huge problem that there is in our country.
We will be giving the wrong message when we treat animal life in this manner - that it can be decided on one's feet, as Ms Berry claimed herself. We are sending the message that it is ok to mistreat animals because their life is not as worthy as that of a human being. People who, like the writer and like Ms Berry and many others, kill animals for these reasons, are almost the same as those who are cruel.