Michael P. Calascione, Honorary secretary, Malta Guide Dogs Foundation, Naxxar
Natural affinity between guide dog and man (1)
The letter by Charles Camilleri under the heading Abnormal Life Of Guide Dogs For The Blind is totally inaccurate and potentially damaging to what most people recognise as a very good cause, the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation.
I have recently spent some days at an established guide dog school abroad and I can assure readers that the allegations made by Mr Camilleri are totally without any basis in truth. During my visit I walked into an enclosure which contained about 30 Labradors, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds of varying age and at various stages of training, running free. I would hardly have risked doing this if these dogs had been subjected to the cruel practices described. The correspondent does not offer a single practical experience to back his damaging allegations.
Guide dogs and guide dog owners work together in partnership and develop a strong personal bond. Their relationship is not one of master and servant. Anybody who has had any experience of guide dogs at all will know that the skills required in a guide dog could not be achieved without kindness and patience and it is on these qualities that guide dog training depends to develop the natural affinity between dog and man.
The result is to provide a visually impaired person with a degree of independence they could not otherwise achieve and a friend for life.
If the correspondent still has any doubts about how guide dogs are treated he can speak to one of the four guide dog owners in Malta, or the one in Gozo, and satisfy himself as to the truth of the contents of this letter.
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Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Dec 19th 2009, 16:49
It appears that Mr Charles Camilleri's contribution has irked some of the animal lovers to the extent that they try to portray him as not being one of them. Well, it might interest readers to learn that a Mr Charles Camilleri has in the past commented in defence of animal rights. Extremism has no limits!!
Joe Genovese
Dec 19th 2009, 12:23
Mr Camilleri's letter was telling.
It just shows what twisted logic one must pursue to enjoy animal circuses.
His letter should be a battle cry for all protesters wanting to show their disdain at such forms of entertainment.
I'll see to it that the letter makes the rounds on the forums.
Kenneth Cassar
Dec 19th 2009, 11:03
I would suspect that Charles Camilleri is not even interested in the facts. The blind or partially blind are to him just "collateral" damage in his futile attempt to discredit animal rights activists and portray them (again unsuccessfully) as hypocrites.
Perhaps, before even seeking to learn about guide dogs, he should learn the obvious difference between tigers and dogs. Any children's science book would be of great help.
Robert Callus
Dec 19th 2009, 10:37
@Michael P. Calascione
Mr Camilleri's letter was just a weak to create confusion following the protest against circuses with animals.
We, those involved in the 'Circus Animal Rights Coalition' have absolutely no problems with human beings collaborating with animals so that both they as well as well as the dog involved live a fulfilling life. We are animal lovers and PROMOTE such relationships.
While we never had any single doubt that the dogs in question are maltreated, thank you anyway for making matters clear.
Franco Farrugia
Dec 19th 2009, 10:27
@ Mr Calascione - Well done for this excellent contribution. But don't expect too much, with regard to your concluding paragraph. Certain themes require a degree of intelligence and kindness of heart.