Claudia Calleja
Who put the dogs down?
The owner of two mastiffs that were put down because they were deemed dangerous intends to take legal action because the dogs were killed unnecessarily.
Keith Caruana has expressed anger that his two dogs, Achilles and Stone, were forcibly put down last Wednesday and he was not even informed because he was out fishing when they were seized.
"It's as though they killed a part of my family. They never hurt anyone and I was not even given the chance to defend them... I want to know who was responsible for all this and will take legal action to ensure justice is done," Mr Caruana said.
Mr Caruana will, however, first have to determine who took the decision to put the dogs down as both the police and the Animal Welfare Department are denying responsibility.
Police said they intervened last Wednesday morning following several reports by Xemxija residents who felt threatened by the dogs.
"But police gave no order to put down the dogs," a spokesman said, adding that such decisions were usually taken by the Animal Welfare Department.
However, department director Mario Spiteri denied doing any such thing. "We took them to the SPCA where they were put down by a vet after being asked to do so by the police who claimed they were dangerous," he said.
When contacted, several residents confirmed that they were terrified of the ferocious-looking dogs that sometimes made their way out of Mr Caruana's home, and felt safe now they were gone.
Wednesday's incident was sparked when a construction worker alerted police that a large vicious-looking dog was on the loose.
Police went to the scene and called for the assistance of the Animal Welfare Department. The dog turned out to be Achilles - an American mastiff that was just over a year old.
Animal welfare officer Godric Marston said that at the time the dog was not aggressive. However, he added that such dogs usually became dangerous when they saw another animal.
After containing Achilles, officers spotted another mastiff on Mr Caruana's balcony.
Following police authorisation, Mr Marston said animal welfare officers made their way up to the balcony and sedated the dog because it posed a danger and was being kept in squalid conditions.
Mr Caruana insisted that he looked after his dogs, worth thousands of euros, as they were vaccinated, groomed, fed and kept in clean and spacious environments.
Achilles was kept in a garage complete with mattress and fresh water and was tied with a long metal chain that allowed it to move in and out into a yard accessible through the drive, he said.
Mr Caruana believed that someone unchained Achilles since it was impossible for the chain to give way.
He added that since one of his dogs mauled a poodle, about a month ago, he ensured that his dogs did not break loose. Following the attack he had given away the bitch that attacked the poodle. He will be facing court proceedings over that case.
Stone, an 11-year-old mixed breed, lived inside the house with his companion, Bronx, Mr Caruana said.
He denied keeping them on the balcony in the sun - insisting that the balcony door was always kept open and had a shady area.
"I can't understand what gave them the right to trespass onto my balcony and take my dog just because he was barking," he said.
43 Comments
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CHARLES GRECH
Aug 31st 2009, 20:29
@ ALL ANIMAL LOVERS. Look what The Hon. George Pullicino had to say about his newly formed "Animal Welfare Department". http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090817/opinion/wagging-tales Its time that the Hon. Minister explains or RESIGN OR BE MADE TO RESIGN.
Charles Grech
Aug 31st 2009, 20:08
ANIMAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT? So far all they did was to attack animal welfare NGO'S like Sue Arnett and the like just to show that they are "doing something". THEY HAVE NOT ARRESTED ONE SINGLE PERSON FOR POISONING CATS AND DOGS. THEY HAVE NOT ARRESTED ONE SINGLE PERSON FOR ORGANISING DOG FIGHTS. THEY HAVE NOT ARRESTED ONE SINGLE PERSON FOR ABANDONING ANIMALS TO FACE AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE BY PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH THE TRAFFIC. THEY HAVE NOT ARRESTED ONE SINGLE PERSON FOR PLACING FISHING HOOKS WITH CAT AND DOG FOOD. and the list goes on and on.
Ruby Jenner
Aug 31st 2009, 09:13
Mr. Caruana should have been informed before they put his dog's down and given the right to put his case forward. However, I have every sympathy for his neighbours because I was attacked by a dog that was running wild and it was really frightening. Even so, I still love dog's , it is the owner's neglect of their pet which is to blame. Dog's like human contact it is cruel beyond belief to leave a dog on it's own for long period's of time.
r ferriggi
Aug 31st 2009, 08:23
the rest of the population ( those who although do not like dogs but would never hurt them) are FED UP with the arrogance of (some) dog owners.
dogs littering everywhere.
dogs runnig in the streets.
dogs barking al day and night.
dangerous dogs biting people.
dogs being treated better than human beings where need of urgent care and funds and care is concerned.
the list goes on. the balance has been lost.
when is some common sense going to be instilled back and regain some balance of what is animal and what is not??
I. Cilia
Aug 31st 2009, 08:11
@M. Williams... well said
to we put down all those who blast off petards just because they irritate everyone?
do we put down all those idiots who stay screeching their tyres in the middle of the nigh??
(bit of a blasphemy here) do we put down crying babies since they cry all through the night??
but just because dogs bark we can do this
and shame on the police and animal welfare dept that are actually part of this... . people should be made accountable... and fired if necessary...
andrew agius
Aug 31st 2009, 00:22
so now if something looks viscous you can put it down? that's one good decision....so if we can proceed with such idea.......we have a lot of people to put down...so please go ahead and then look around for the four legged friends.
Joe Cassar
Aug 30th 2009, 22:58
There are two separate issues here, and they have to be considered separately, or the comments will not make any sense.
1) The police seem to have exceeded their authority. They had no right to enter private premises without a warrant, unless they had sound reasons to believe that a crime was being committed- which does not seem to be the case here. And the dogs certainly should no have been put down without a court order.
2) There is no doubt that there are certain breeds of dogs which are dangerous, through size and temperment. We should be debating whether, in a small and densly populated place like Malta, these breeds should be allowed and whether the breeding and keeping of such dogs is selfish, inconsiderate and anti-social.
Claire Borg
Aug 30th 2009, 22:46
As usual it is always the dogs that get the blame so if the same owner gets another two similar dogs then the same fate will await them? What an unprofessional way to handle the problem followed by an unimpressive typical situation of noone taking the responsibility but blaming the other! Almost two years ago I ended up witnessing a dog being caught by SPCA and he was taken off and put to sleep. Apparently, there were complaints that this dog was dangerous and yet because I had made the effort to befriend him he was always like a lamb with me! It seems put to sleep is a very easy option as after all they are only animals!!
M Williams
Aug 30th 2009, 21:32
Putting dogs down because they were barking........surely there are more civilised ways to tackle this problem? Haven't we all been kept awake by inconsiderate people playing loud music; kids screaming;petards and shots going off at all hours;cars revving their engines etc. etc. Are we then to take the law into our hands and solve the problem by putting the persons disturbing our sleep down, even if this involves kidnapping them first by breaking and entering. And if I happen to see someone who looks menacing to me, am I allowed to have him put down? Why do rules apply to humans but not to animals. By all means prosecute the owner but don't take it out on the dogs, at least not in this high handed arbitrary manner. Shouldn't the SPCA insist for a formal written request before putting a dog down?There are agressive dogs, but there are also people who dislike animals so much that they give you dirty looks even if you are walking the most docile dog on a lead.Luckily the posts below show that there are also those who respect and are prepared to speak up for the rights of animals.
Christopher Formosa
Aug 30th 2009, 21:17
Proset,@ R.Bezzina ,Franco Farrugia ,ma stajtux titkellmu ahjar,issa ekk nibdew namlu lol, min jidher perikolus naqbdu u noqtluh, maj jmurx jghamel xi haga hux !! U halluna naqa,mela tezisti xi defenizzjoni ta kelb perikolus,li maj jkun amel xejn wara kollox,imma ax jidher perikoluz noqtluh hux, hekk sew, Jien gieli nkun addej bil kelba u tara in nies jaqsmu l bankina,jew jahsbu li ha tikolhom jew ma nafx x jghaddi min mohhom. Tahseb li kieku kelli l kelba tigdem ha nohoda fej in nies jew? Il kelb li kien qed jigri barra naqbel li kellhom jaqbdu,mhux joqtluh,u sidu jehel multa, imma mhux naqbad u noqtlu hekk bla xejn. Li kien fil gallarija,bla kummenti hux ax tant hi haga inkredibbli kif saret li thallik bla kliem. Ara jippruvax xi hadd jigi al klieb tieghi ax jidhru perikoluzi,jew nigi mix xol u ma nsibhomx !!!! Mario Spiteri jmissu jisthi fuq din l affari, ax biha urew li hawn m hawnx nies kompetenti,basta nippuzaw bl airgun fuq it television, u bihaq din l istorja sieheb ta hal qormi li hadulu l klieb,ax igellidhom.........msieken,dehru mahqurin ta ax l abjad kellu darhu ikbar min ta dak l ufficjal li mar biex jaqbdu !!!!
R.Bezzina
Aug 30th 2009, 19:12
To all those who say they agree with the action taken: I see much more human beings than dogs who pose a threat to society in the streets. Are these supposed to be put down too?
Franco Farrugia
Aug 30th 2009, 19:05
@ Malcolm Mifsud: Once again, I sympathise with what you feel. I, myself, live close to a residence where a dog keeps on barking during the evening and night because it is lonely. The family leave it behind, alone, for long hours. This is a mentality that once you don't hear the dog barking, it's ok. It is not ok. But Mr Mifsud, it is not the dog's fault. You would be 'barking at the wrong tree' if you were to even hint that such dogs should be killed because they are barking. Nor, would I, as a neighbour, react in such a manner as to force that family to do away with the dog. I would urge them to be mindful of their responsibility and to make the dog more of a member of the family and include it in their social activities as far as is possible.
We need to have a different mentality and unfortunately, in this country, whatever the Minister responsible says in his Times blog every so often, we are not doing anything in favour of animals. The one most important thing that needs to be done is EDUCATION! PR! CAMPAIGNS!
Marcel Dingli
Aug 30th 2009, 18:29
The most preoccuping fact is that the Police entered a private property unauthorised. It must be borne in mind that a uniform does not give one absolute power.
Malcolm Mifsud
Aug 30th 2009, 18:27
To all those defending the dogs in question: you have never been here trying to get some sleep at 3 in the morning and couldn't because the owner/s left the dogs (one locked outside in the balcony and the other 'kindly' chained in the garage with plenty of length of chain), barking their heads off. And who in his right frame of mind would think of unchaining such a menacing dog? The two dogs in question were a black doberman and a black and white pitbull, not the ones pictured. It's puzzling that these two were replaced so quickly. Who knows what happened to them? I only wish it was the owners who had to pay for this and not the dogs.
Anne Marie Bonello
Aug 30th 2009, 17:56
@ James Dimech
how exactly does 'in the balcony' come to be 'in the streets????
the police broke into thier home to kill these dogs!
its not like the dog could have jumped off the balcany to attack any!!
Franco Farrugia
Aug 30th 2009, 16:55
@ Mr Jos Vella - Sir, would you put a man to death because he is a danger to society? So, why should you simply kill a dog because 'it' was born and bred in a certain way that makes it vicious? Ohhhhhh righttttttttttttttttttttttttt! I get your point at last, sir! Because we're speaking of animals here - and their lives are not sacred as much as ourrrrrrrrrrrrrrsssssssss and so we, human beings, can decide about their life and death just like that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I get your point! Shameful!
Joseph Schembri
Aug 30th 2009, 15:58
@Jos Vella: It is you who is being infantile sir. In any democracy the police are bound by regulations. Do you want to wait until you are a victim of unauthorized police conduct yourself before you see the direction in which we are heading where personal freedoms are being eroded little by little all in the name of safety?
It seems that some great works of literature including those by George Orwell and Aldous Huxley never made it to your reading list. I am just mentioning two well known authors and not the myriad of work, some of it scientific, that has been carried out on the type of society which we are heading to.
Ganriel A. Pellegrini
Aug 30th 2009, 15:53
The most positive effect of electronic newspaper is the possibilty of readers to interact. It is true that the coin has two faces....and it is equally true that readers have different opinons, which should be accepted. It still remains however that in reading the comments one can determine what type of person the contributor is. I must say that during the last years I have noticed how arrogant...selfish...unreasonable.....and stupid some people are. Two wrongs don't make a right.....and God forbid if actions like the killing of these two dogs.....become a habit bypassing the Courts of Law......God Forbid.
Jos Vella
Aug 30th 2009, 15:43
@Joseph Schembri
ejja ma ndahhkux!!! just listen to what the neighbourhood has to say; if you don't live in the area you can't and will never understand the treath such dogs imposed.
Putting a dog down after it would have mauled a person would have been too late.. I wonder what you would have said in such a circumstance.
Jos Vella
Aug 30th 2009, 15:28
what does mr caruana has to say to that lady who lost her pet? was mr caruana just going to get rid of Achilles when it attacked (same as he had done with the female dog? If the dog was left in the garage who could it me that let Achille loose? Keith, don't you care about your neighbours who have expressed that they were terrified with your dogs? Honestly, I don't think that you should take any legal actions to ensure that justice is done; because justice has already been done! Next time take your dogs fishing with you.
Joseph Schembri
Aug 30th 2009, 15:12
Sue the police sir. They needed a court order to enter your private residence seeing that no one was in any immediate danger or no crime was being committed. I find it preposterous that apart from the uncountable instances of alleged police brutality and misbehaviour - they now seem to have obtained the power to order the murder at will of any of God's creatures. WE need to show the police that the citizen can fight abuse of power by the so called guardians of the law. Look up Chapter 9 of the laws of Malta on the internet and even without the help of a lawyer you will see what the police are entitled and not entitled to do.
I respect Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici because he protected democracy (OK he wrote articles in il Mument) - but now he should show us that he is the man who is 'guarding the guardians'.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Aug 30th 2009, 15:08
Mr Keith Caruana, I fully sympathise with you and understand what you must be going through after losing your two dear dogs. Not to mention, that someone had the ardour to climb onto your private property to take possession of the dog. I urge you to take action against these shameful perpetrators! Shame on whoever took the decision to put down these dear dogs. Is this what the Xemxija residents were after? How heartless can some people be! Shame and Shame!
I own two large breed dogs, a Labrador and a Pointer. Both are loving family dogs. I can vouch for them that they will never harm anyone. Yet, when taking them out for walks, I come across people who are impressed by their size and are afraid of them. When reading that the two dogs in the story were described as "vicious-looking dog", what exactly was meant by this? Was this description given by someone who is scared of dogs and was impressed by their size. One might say that the Boxer has a vicious look, yet this breed is considered as the No.1 family dog!
Shame!!
Gabriel A Pellegrini
Aug 30th 2009, 14:48
This is not only a sad story regarding the dogs but also an eyeopener of what the authoritise can do without speaking to the owner....this is the way dictators act....such event should not have happened and those who say that they are in agreenent with what has happened and completly wrong....nobody is above the law....and if these dogs had to be put down the order should have come from the lawcourts and from no one else......Shame.....Shame...shame, nothing but shame. Quo Vadis Malta!!!!
James Dimech
Aug 30th 2009, 14:16
These people first they leave their dangerous pets out in the street disregarding everyone, and then all of a sudden claim "law, rights and court orders!"
Well done on going ahead and putting down these two dogs.
Karen Micallef
Aug 30th 2009, 14:10
I live in Madliena and I cannot even walk for mass in Ibragg or anywhere else, lest I get some dog chasing me.
I fully support the action that was taken in this case.
If you want to own animals please keep them to yourselves
d bugeja
Aug 30th 2009, 13:45
Animal welfare has to be careful, not to lose their credibility. Two dogs which Sue Arnett of the Funny Farm had, they have also been put down. they were healthy and not dangerous to people.
I do support the owner of these mastiffs, that if he thinks that his dogs were killed for no purpose then yes he should take animal welfare to court.
C.Scerri
Aug 30th 2009, 13:43
This has become rediculous - On what grounds can someone coem into my house, take my dog and put it down just because a neighbour reported it barking or as it was ferocious-looking?
Can anyone give me an objective definition of ferocious-looking as regards to dogs?
Claire Busuttil
Aug 30th 2009, 13:41
Veru hi xi haga tal misthija kif qed jigu itrattati l annimali go pajjizna!!!!! fejn qeda il ligi!?!??!?! jien kif ukoll hafna aktar nies li ihobbu l annimali xebu jisimu, daqqa b mohqrija, u b elf haga ohra hazina, li dejjem ikunu kontra l annimali!! META SE NAGHMLU LIGIJIET SURA GHALL-ANNIMALI??????!!!!! Dawn huma tal demm u il laham ta, bhalna, ihossu, iweggu, allura ghala ma ghandhomx dritt ghal ligijiet favur taghhom.??? u il knisja li suppost tiraprezenta lil Alla il hallieq ta kull haga hajja li tezizti......fejn hi???? Kieku xi darba smajt lil knisja tapogja bis sens lil annimali, basta jaghlmuna li huma hollqien ta Alla, imbad daqshekk,!! issa rigward dal kaz partikolari, jekk kien hemm cans li il klieb kienu mizmuma hazin, ghandu ikun hemm stharig, u mhux jaqbdu u joqtlu lil annimal?!?!?! din x razza ta soluzjoni hi?!?!?!?!? ISTHU!!!!!!
lgalea
Aug 30th 2009, 12:54
Sharon O'Neill
What would you say if your child or a relative was mauled by dangerous dogs/breeds?
R.Bezzina
Aug 30th 2009, 12:50
This is outrageous and disgusting. I hope although I have little that all those responsible will be brought to justice and that the media would keep monitoring this shameful abuse of power so that all of us would know, SEE and despise the authors.
F. Spiteri
Aug 30th 2009, 12:45
Picking up the the large, so called 'vicious looking dog' running in the street i can understand. But what right do the police have to go into the house and also take the dog there ? What's worse is them putting both dogs down without having the decency to inform their owner first. I bet the xemxija residents are oh so proud of themselves now !!
Jeannette Cutajar
Aug 30th 2009, 12:06
This is such a sad outcome for all the dogs concerned in this tragic situation.
'Stone' the white dog pictured with a young girl was such a gentle and loving dog,yet he was put down unnecessarily. Even though i sympathize with the woman who had her dog killed by one of the other dogs, Stone would have never hurt a fly. So why was he put down?
Why don't we ever get anything done right in this country?
Christopher Formosa
Aug 30th 2009, 11:49
Kif jista jkun gara hekk ? Mela aw xi hadd li jista jaqbad h jiehu xi haga ta xi hadd u joqtola? Bis serjeta? Ma nistax memmen li gara hekk, jin andi tnejn qishom dawk il klieb, u issa irrod noqod ninkwieta li ha jaqbad u jigi xi hadd id dar u johodomli meta nkun ix xol? Minajr ma jejdli ukoll !! U ejja,din froga kbira u niextiq nejd lil sid il klieb li jekk hu kapaci ( u nitlob l alla li hu ) jibqa jara kif jaghmel u jsir jaf x gara EZATT !!! Il karti gew iffirmati min xi hadd bilfors, illum kollox jigi miktub u records ta kollox jkun hemm. Dan gest dizuman u id departement tal welfare specjalment l ufficjali tieghu jmisshom jafu iktar,x welfare? addejtu zewg iklieb jury u qtilthom al xej? kellu bzonn jfittixkom bil qorti jahasra u johdilkom kull m ghandkom,kieku barra ekk jghamlulkom.
Joseph Schembri
Aug 30th 2009, 11:48
The police needed a court order to enter your private residence seeing that no one was in any immediate danger. I find it preposterous that apart from the uncountable instances of alleged police brutality and misbehaviour - they now seem to have obtained the power to order the murder at will of any of God's creatures.
Meanwhile - I have never supported the SPCA and never will because I do not approve of their methods. My help goes to the real dog lovers at Island Sanctuary in Delimara.
adrian aquilina
Aug 30th 2009, 11:47
how can a dog be put to sleep without a court case?this is sad for the dogs as no animal should so easily be put to sleep..but if the owner let them run outside then the death of the dogs is largly his fault too.and if they were vicious why?dogs are generally not vicious unless made to be...i can never understand how anyone can have a "pet" and not have it live inside the house with them..all animals need the constant company of owners,cats included..this is the only country i have lived in where dogs are kept outside the house..going back i think putting them to sleep is outragous and someone needs to be investigated and arrested for this disgusting decision..
Franco Farrugia
Aug 30th 2009, 11:38
All this is due to the fact that there is no proper Animal Welfare legislation. There must be someone on the island who acts as the Defender of the Animal. I am not saying, at this point in time, whether those two dogs should have been killed or not. What I am saying, Directorate, is that this is not the way you do things. You are not being professional, howevermuch you become black in the face in denigrating and criticisng 'armchair critics'! It is true: you are facing part of the music, but you have to do things and carry out your job in a professional manner.
Ray Buhagiar
Aug 30th 2009, 11:36
'Just because he was barking' - makes me sick. Some dog owners are so selfish. Hope this incident serve a lesson to all dog owners who keep their dogs barking.
charles grech
Aug 30th 2009, 11:29
In a recent edition of the Times Minister George Pullicino said that personnell ot the Animal Welfare Department are victims of their own success.
It seems that they are victims of their own arrogance.
Who is going to resign this time round?
Lest we forget. It seems that history is repeating itself., vide link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcsfFEOuFHo
Peter Caruana
Aug 30th 2009, 11:15
Does anyone care about anything anymore on these islands?
Sharon O'Neill
Aug 30th 2009, 11:13
Guys can we set the LAW properly? Where is the animal welfare Law ? Hey i guess we are all misunderstanding animals here, we must understand that the only threat to this world is not the animals but humans, its already enough that we reduced spaces to zero and animals like humans are trying to survive, now its very rare to have an animal attacking humans unless they have been beaten up before purposley to attack and in nature large dogs and small dogs dont get along well together, we must understand that we need to take precortion also i dont agree that killing animals is the solution , ppl must understand to live with animals as its nature and learn from them like they are learing from us and change these f*** rules cause we are killing innocence here that doesnt have a voice
Chris Farrugia
Aug 30th 2009, 11:12
this is outrageous! so completely disgusting justice on the spot. How dare anyone kill someone else's dogs without informing the owner? If one of the dogs killed another dog, then a decision needs to be taken, and the owner informed accordingly. But what has the other dog to do with this? Who gave a mandate to trespass into someone else's property and if there wasn't one I hope this man will pursue these people to justice.
g. scerri
Aug 30th 2009, 11:09
"But police gave no order to put down the dogs," a spokesman said.
"We took them to the SPCA where they were put down by a vet after being asked to do so by the police who claimed they were dangerous," (Mario Spiteri, Animal Welfare Dept) said.
Who's being economical with the truth here?
Franco Farrugia
Aug 30th 2009, 11:02
Shouldn't there have been a court order to have the dogs killed? A question to be asked.