Sunday, 22nd November 2009 - 18:02CET

Sharp rise in arraignments for animal cruelty

Eighteen persons have so far this year been taken to court and accused of animal cruelty, compared to just eight for the whole of last year, according to information given in Parliament.

Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici said four of the accused this year were resident in Qormi, three in St Paul's Bay, two in Rabat and in Birkirkara and one each at St Julians,Zurrieq, Mellieha, Vittoriosa, Bidnija, Marsaxlokk and Msida.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Tuesday, February 9, 2010. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Vanessa Bonnici (on 24/11/09)

My aunt homed two of the Fox Terriers that used tobe target practice to train fighting dogs. One was so terrified it's a battle to even get him to come close to us and the other is terrified of men and brooms etc.
I dread to think what both these dogs had been through.
Just a short note, Rosalind at AAA is a true animal lover and I think the tireless work you do to give these dogs a chance at a decent life is amazing. Thank God for people like you!

C Galea (on 23/11/09)

Good news ,I hope the ones in Mellieha were in and the junction of Triq Garzrella Cnr of Triq iS-Salib.

Joe Micallef (on 23/11/09)

Unless the court start giving big fines where it hurt most the hip pocket and if they don't pay up will be send to jail for a long time it keep happening because some people never learn and the money collected be given to the animal shelters so they continue there good work and its about time the government do something it,s his duty to pass some harsh Laws to protect these poor animals,and start teaching our children at school about animal cruelty from very young age that it is not acceptable.

Diana Borg Cardona (on 23/11/09)

Long may this continue and they should not get away with a small fine. Also names should be published so that people know who the culprits are.

A Caruana (on 22/11/09)

I suggest to the politicians to start and pass laws that will place proper fines,jail terms and/or community work as is normal in the rest of the EU and the US... by proper it is meant thousands of euros and not just a laughable 25E fine. It is a proved fact that such sick beings are also a menace to society especially to children and old people. Do not wait for something to happen.. JUST DO IT!

Edwin Grima (on 22/11/09)

Only 18 persons??!! What about the large number of people that own dogs and keep them prisoner on roofs, garages, and dodgy 'kmamar' all over the island? Why are they not considered 'cruel'? There are hundreds of pets (if not thousands) that suffer almost every single day and nothing is done to help them. These poor animals are considered a fashionable accessory to parade around with. Other dogs are used as burglar alarms and lead lonely, distressed lives. Others still to satisfy some pathetic whim of their owners. When will we understand that it is also cruelty to treat dogs like this? How many of these live in our neighbourhoods and yet we take them for granted? Unfortunately the police and animal welfare organisations cannot act to help protect them because their is no serious legislation in place.

James Cutajar (on 22/11/09)

I hope they will get what they deserve!!

Claire Busuttil (on 22/11/09)

Well done to animal welfare, and to the people, who reported such cases. Please anyone noticing that an animal is livinig in bad conditions,or treated badly. speak up, and police and animal welfare!

Edward camilleri (on 22/11/09)

The courts should give the harshest penalty possible to deter future animal cruelty and thus make the work of the Animal Welfare Department and those that report illegalities on animals more effective.

Jesmond Micallef (on 22/11/09)

Animals who are dependant should have their owners made accountable, yes. People should respect animals, considering they have have them for a whatever purpose. It is all about responsibility.

Looking at these dogs, a dog is one of our best friends, lovely animals.

Charles Micallef (on 22/11/09)

Long may these arraignments continue……………..!!

And the sentences handed out will be harsh to minimize this cruelty to our animals!!

O. Sant Angelo (on 22/11/09)

@Antoine Grima

I wouldn't count my chickens. Such arraignments are actually a waste of the judiciary's time and tax payer's money unless proper verdicts are handed down...

Joseph Schembri (on 22/11/09)

This is simply laudable. This government should though couple animal rights with those of several human minorities in this island.

ANDREW CACHIA (on 22/11/09)

These people deserve to be forgotten in prison...

Franco Farrugia (on 22/11/09)

Indeed, this is good news, and it is good work on the part of all the people concerned. But unless there is a proper Animal Welfare Act in place for the Courts to work on, all this will be bear no fruit. They will only get a slap on the wrist 'because it is the law'.

ABORG (on 22/11/09)

What the general public espcially animal lovers are interest in, is not infomration given in response to some parliamentary question. Facts and harsh penalties which we owe to our community of 4 legged friends!

Chris Reiff (on 22/11/09)

Let's hope we see a sharp rise in PUNISHMENT for animal cruelty!!!!!

Antoine Grima (on 22/11/09)

A very well done and please please please keep up the good work.You are the only hope for those unfortunate poor animals out there. THANK YOU.

Sharp rise in arraignments for animal cruelty

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