Pit bull released from wartime shelter
A large pit bull terrier was this morning rescued from a wartime shelter where it had been locked for several days.
The rescue was made by officials of the Animal Welfare Department and the police after a tip-off.
The dog was chained to a chair inside the dark shelter at Jews Sally Port in Valletta. It wagged its tail furiously as it was let out and given food.
The officials said it had had no food or water. Although there was a bowl near the dog, it was empty.
The dog, which had signs of an old injury on its back, was taken to Ghammieri farm.
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Isabella Peresso Fiorentino
May 26th 2010, 21:46
dvella - U hallina minnek !!!!
dvella
May 26th 2010, 18:20
@ both
You say so cause you never saw a 2yr old girl's leg mutilated by a pit!
Albert Scerri
May 26th 2010, 18:35
@dvella
Recently I came across this site; it was in one of these blogs actually.
Please visit it, it might make you change your mind about these dogs or at least see them through different eyes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJueekvhRDI
dvella
May 26th 2010, 21:40
@ albert xerri
echelon737
15 minutes ago very strong jaws... not a good idea to leave them hanging around with young children
echelon737 15 minutes ago - Very nice video but this is the very first comment on the pit and I have it quoted for you!!!!! So better to leave them in the wilderness though properly cared for.
Joseph Attard
May 26th 2010, 23:20
@Mr Vella
A dog's behaviour depends on his owner. Also if a dog has had a trauma during its life than it is not advisable to keep it near children, smaller animals etc. But then as always and as in everything, common sense is not so common. This rescued dog will be traumatised till it dies if it ever fought other dogs. Similar to soldiers coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan.
You mentioned the case were two abandoned stray dogs attacked a couple of children. Why do you blame the dogs? Where were their owners who are ultimately responsable for them?
A pit bull will give its life for his owner and unfortunately that quality is the reason why people use them in dog fights. They are very loyal dogs. If properly trained they make a true best "man's" friend.
Michael Vella
May 27th 2010, 14:11
@ dvella
why, do you happen to see legs mutilated by dogs every other day?
Joe Genovese
May 26th 2010, 16:25
Now that the public glare is on these shelters (as if most of the people in and around Valletta and Floriana were unaware), these dog owners will resort to their speciality in trade...skulduggery.
Dog muzzles.
They'll chain the muzzled creature up behind an iron door, away from sight and sound.
Unless all forms of barriers leading to all these shelters are torn down, for every animal rescued, dozens of others remain languishing in harrowing misery.
Not unbeknown to almost one and all.
Schevon Debono
May 26th 2010, 16:10
OH and @ dvella...People like you with your stupid comments shouldn't even be allowed next to animals or even mention them!! Like many Humans that get nervous and frustrated so do dogs but in no way should any of them be treated in this manner!! Maybe you should be tied up and treated the same way for a few days....See what your comment would be after that!!!!!!
Mary collinson
May 26th 2010, 12:27
On Sunday I had to put my beautiful dalmation dog Pongo to sleep and believe me a big part of me went with him. Its really so nice to see that this pit bull was saved. No matter the race, these animals give us more love and friendship then most humans ever will and it takes so little to make them happy.
Good job and I hope this lovely dog finds a good family to look after him.
Mary Collinson ( Maltese)
Good job
dvella
May 26th 2010, 11:54
At least he is a responsible man, keeping such a dangerous/deadly animal away from people! especially kids. See how many toddlers in the UK are mauled to their death by these devil dogs? And how many walk their pitbulls without a muzzle? What if you PITBULL lovers have your own kids butchered, as recently happened in Mellieha by two of these, have to say then!! It's the irresponsible owner who has to be charged. Such dogs must be banned from the streets!!!!
R. Azzopardi
May 26th 2010, 12:36
Is that what you call responsible? Keeping a dog chained up in a dark room with no food or water for 5 days? Wish i knew you mate. I would gladly dish out the same treatment to you and proudly call myself "responsible".
Michael Vella
May 26th 2010, 16:11
@ dvella
Your comment is unbelievably stupid. The fact that you condone such behaviour goes a long way to describe the kind of person you are. I am NOT a pitbull lover, but neither do i hate the dogs, but judging by your ridiculous comment, more can be said for pit bulls than can be said for yourself!!
How can anyone condone such horrible treatment of animals is beyond me!!!
Ian Grima
May 26th 2010, 21:04
There are no "devil dogs", any breed is capable of violence if it is not treated correctly. It is this kind of cruel treatment that drives these dogs to violence. With regards to your comments about kids getting mauled by pits, I am sure there are humans that have done a lot worse, do you just ban all humans from the streets? Furthermore a phenomenon that seems to be happening is whenever a dog attacks somebody people and local police tend to label the dog as a pit when they have no idea what a real pit should look like anyway.
GiovDeMartino
May 26th 2010, 11:27
Someone must certainly have been in charge of this shelter. The owner of this dog should be changed there and left without food and water for at least a month.
Iro Schembri
May 26th 2010, 09:51
Here in Australia, all dogs and cats have a chip inserted when first bought and given their first vet check. All anaimals are required to be registered by the local council. If they are desexed, the fee is a one off, but if they are not desexed, the fee is yearly.
This way, councils or vets from different areas that find a missing animal, can locate its owner. They can also track any cruelty and proscute.
By desexing animals, it stops the pain of destroying animals who's only crime was being born to uncaring or loser owners.
A good saying here is " A pet is for life".
Isabella Peresso Fiorentino
May 25th 2010, 22:07
Mark Brincat - The Animal Welfare Department only picks up animals who are in distress and not stray dogs. Is the dog bothering you by any chance? If so do something and try to find a good home for it by taking a photo and circulating an email - that is what we all do. The least you can do is to release the tight collar around his neck.
Victor Pulis - Good comment.
claire palmer
May 25th 2010, 20:58
so sick of hearing cases like this concerning animal cruelty !!! what is wrong with some ppl ffs?!! well done for saving the dog, please dont forget to punish/charge the owner though. otherwise what is stopping him from doing it again...
Anton Falzon
May 25th 2010, 19:22
Well done animal welfare and the Police for a job truly well done.....
L vella
May 25th 2010, 15:14
I think the government should invest in a squad against animal cruelty. If anyone knows about Animal Cops abroad, we should have the same in Malta. There are so many animals being abused, horses of the karozzini - not being kept well, dogs on roofs, abandoned animals, people throwing kittens/puppies in recycling bins, hunters shooting on certain birds and so on! Why all this cruelty?!?
Maria Sammut
May 25th 2010, 11:59
@Godric Marston. My phone calls were in January, that's 5 months ago. I think I've waited long enough, every time I pass near the dog I look and hope not to see him/her there anymore and I feel so disappointed every time as she/he's still there. Apart from Animal Welfare I've contacted animal sanctuaries and a journalist who all said that they will see about this dog. And yet, 5 months have passed and the dog is still in the same position. I'm only doing this for the love I have for animals and now hope that someone would take care of this poor creature. Hopefully, find him/her a better home and owner, too.
Jeffrey Muscat
May 25th 2010, 11:26
well done to the animal welfare group for the dog release
what about the owner ???? - is he going to be charged for cruelty
Ruth MIZZI
May 25th 2010, 15:30
" ... charged for cruelty?!?!" This is Malta we're talking about mate !! Animals aren't even considered on this piece of rock ... !!!
Rose Zammit
May 25th 2010, 09:14
at last we are beginning to take care of the animals that need so much attention.
Thank god we are doing our best !!. lets hope who ever is responsible gets MORE THEN DESERVED.
benny micallef
May 25th 2010, 07:58
PROSET :-)
godric marston
May 24th 2010, 21:28
@maria sammut.i am personally going to see about this dog but you have to understand that our team doesnt stop we are very busy and sometimes there are urgent cases that has to be tackled at once.But sorry the pitbull story is not the only successful story we are not there for the well done comment but we are there for the animals .the success comes because of the well dedicated team and if you want to know what happens to the dogs we saved just phone on 25904113 ask for me and i give you all the details you want.We keep all the records of every dog we pick up.
Maria Sammut
May 24th 2010, 20:49
I reported this case in January, first I found a woman who said that they will leave a note for the owner to improve the dog's conditions, if this wasn't done they would take the dog away. I phoned again a few weeks later and this time a man answered the phone. He didn't even know about the case. Why didn't they involve the police? I think such conditions are not acceptable. Probably the pit bull story is one of the very few successful stories they have.
Christopher Vella
May 25th 2010, 10:37
Try calling the SPCA, have ready the full address and perhaps a description of how to get there. They probably won't be able to remove the dog, but they can put pressure on the police if need be. You have to be persistent as all animal welfare groups are low on resources and that is why they take longer than is wished to respond.
Maria Sammut
May 24th 2010, 20:16
I have read a lot of 'well done to Animal Welfare' for this case. Unfortenetely, I've reported a case to Animal Welfare of a dog held on a short chain in a field in Naxxar in January. This dog breaks my heart every time I see him/her. He/she's always in the same position as he/she can't move due to the very short lead. As I said I've reported this case TWICE in JANUARY and the dog is still there in the same position, suffering the cold and soon the scorching sun. Apart from Animal Welfare I've contacted various sanctuaries but NO-ONE has raised a finger to help this poor creature. I, also, wish to know what happen to the dogs that are 'saved'?
Mark Vella Bardon, Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary
May 24th 2010, 20:38
Animal sanctuaries do not have the power to remove dogs in these conditions when they are on private property. The Animal Welfare Department would need the Police to take such action.
James Formosa
May 25th 2010, 12:35
So call the police!! Eventhough the Animal Welfare and the sanctuaries do a lot... you know that its never enough. There are many cases reported that are not looked into.
Rosalind Agius
May 24th 2010, 18:37
Well done Animal Welfare. Well done Animal Officer Godrick, you know how to handle any poor dog in any situation. These strong beautiful pit bulls are one of the most abused breeds because most of them end up in the wrong hands. Poor animals.
Joseph Calleja
May 24th 2010, 17:12
It is so admirable to see so many people in defence of animals. The Animal Welfare Department like any other department is very understaffed and unable to take care of the whole island and sometimes it takes a bit longer to corral an animal. There are also other organizations that try to save animals but theses shelters are expensive to run and they depend mostly on donations. One such place is NOAH'S ARK in the vicinity of Mellieha. This organization is always in need of volunteers and especially in need of donations. If you are interested in either cause, please call Fabio Ciappara at 79730900.
o.galea
May 24th 2010, 17:10
That's brilliant.... tks for a job well done.
Reuben Vella
May 24th 2010, 16:58
Well done to the Animal Welfare Department, the police and the person who gave the tip-off.
Hope police will or have monitored this place to catch the culprit and an example is given of him/her. However, we needed harsher penalties, not just fines or a slap on the wrist!
I also hope that more resources are allocated to the Animal Welfare, so that they can keep up the good work and improve on what they can do.
john a. ebejer
May 24th 2010, 16:25
I am an architect who in recent weeks expressed my views in the Times on Valletta and on other topics.
I refer to the comments below allegedly sent in by John Ebejer. For purposes of clarification, the comments were not submitted by the undersigned.
Having said that, well done to Animal Welfare Department and the police for the action taken
john a. ebejer
n mifsud
May 24th 2010, 16:03
proset kbira lil Animal welfare dep.
victor pulis
May 24th 2010, 15:44
How about finding the owner and locking him up in theshelter for a week? I bet he wouldn't wag his tail when released. I bet he would come out foaming at the mouth and blaspheming but then he's only 'human'
Charisse Bartoli
May 24th 2010, 15:29
I think the Animal Welfare Department is given very little credit for all the work they do. Keep up the good work!!
michal seychell
May 24th 2010, 14:59
Such news items sometimes makes me wondwer who is the real animal whether the dog
or his 'owner'!
Michael Seychell
Tal-Pieta
Josef Laspina
May 24th 2010, 14:42
There is a black / white dog on the coast road abandoned by his owner - isnt that also animal cruelty, left exposed to our Summer heat without water - or does the dog need to be chained to be rescued and taken to some farm ?
lara aquilina
May 24th 2010, 14:41
Just one word of praise: PROSIT!
T Aquilina
May 24th 2010, 13:55
Well done Animal Welfare! Its good that such dedicated and selfless people are around.
MArk Vella Bardon
May 24th 2010, 13:44
The setting up and development of a well staffed Animal Welfare Department was a major breakthrough in both rescue and enforcement.
Their personnel have a record of prompt and efficient response. They unfortunately have to strike a balance between genuine and false reports.
Unfortunately, reporting a dog on the loose does not mean that it is still going to be prowling around there when the response team arrives! This can only be possible with a constant watch and cooperation by the person/s reporting it with the Welfare Officers.
It is about time that justice is seen ot be done by setting up a fast track court for cases of animal cruelty..
philip pace
May 24th 2010, 13:18
That dog is not a Pit Bull Terrier!
Who actually owns those shelters? And on what grounds are certain people to have access to them?
I would advise the Animal Welfare Department to open all those shelters as there must be more chained dogs inside as they are used for breeding and fighting purposes.
anthony borg
May 24th 2010, 13:48
Well done for this piece of informatio Mr.Pace. I do hope to read in this paper that these wartime bomb shelters were inspected by competent authorities and a confirmation that no (hopefully) animals were found there!
John Ebejer
May 24th 2010, 14:03
That is exactly it. Animal Welfare officers should be helped by the Police and the authorities in general - by themselves, they are too few and are too powerless to act against evil and very violent people!
m.ellul
May 24th 2010, 13:13
Well done to the authorities and the police involved. You are doing such a great job !
Animal Welfare
May 24th 2010, 13:03
@Mark Brincat. The Animal Welfare Officers went 9 times to pick up the dog you are talking about, we even talked to the feeders to help us out and we have photos the feeders took. We are still trying to catch this dog and we even gave paste to one of the feeders, the only problem is that the dog is never in the same place and he has a large area were to run. Thanks for your help.
Mark Brincat
May 24th 2010, 13:24
He is often near my house. or follows me when I'm walking my own dog but he's easily frightened and I won't manage catching him. If an officer comes to help me ASAP when I call, we'll get him today/tomorrow. I can follow him until someone arrives. I see him everyday.
John Ebejer
May 24th 2010, 14:04
Can people come and voluntarily help at your place at Ghammieri? What are the opening times? Some mobile number of the person/s in charge?
D. A . Agius
May 24th 2010, 14:53
Can't believe my eyes, a government entity replying to a Times blog! If a few more departments worked like them we'd live in heaven!
PLease take note all PR's for government entities... the Times reader's comments SHOULD be appreciated and replied when needed!
Joseph M. Scicluna
May 24th 2010, 12:54
@ A. Bugeja
Well said mate!!
M Attard
May 24th 2010, 12:49
Well done to everyone (obviously not to the owner). The authorities should take over these shelters and barrier the entrances without any access to anyone. These shelters are also an opportunity for others to make use for any kind of abuse.
Daniel Vella
May 24th 2010, 12:35
WELL DONE TO EVERYONE INVOLVED. It is very sad to know that in our society we still have these sort of monsters ill treating pets let alone think how hazardous these people are if they have the chance to act on human. Police forces please investigate seriously these cases and take out these monsterous creatures from our society.
richard stagno navarra
May 24th 2010, 12:28
Won't people ever learn. I wonder what the owner would do if he was locked up in a dark room with no food or water. A simple fine will not solve the problem. Put the owner in prison for a couple of weeks.
A. Bugeja
May 24th 2010, 12:24
Find the owner prosecute him or her and lock them up without food and water and throw away the key.
Charlene Bugeja
May 24th 2010, 12:10
how could anyone be so cruel to an animal?? i hope the owner is found and punished!
John Ebejer
May 24th 2010, 12:10
Congratulations to the people involved. However, the authorities had been informed for a long time, that not all is well inside those wartime shelters, even those near the Police Depot! Those wartime shelters cannot belong to private individuals, Dr Jason Azzopardi. So, how about getting a taskforce out and re-possess them and see the atrocities that are being kept behind those doors? This is despicable. Valletta and Floriana are RIDDLED with atrocities and it is up to the authorities to uncover what is happening and try and bring to shape the social malaise that permeates in and around these areas. At least, animals should not bear the brunt of the social disgust within our society.
Paul A Vella
May 24th 2010, 12:09
The owner of this dog and so many others kept and found in this state should be given the same treatment....disgusting!!
Mark Brincat
May 24th 2010, 12:02
I have twice contacted animal welfare last month regarding a stray dog that is often in St.Rita Street Birzebbuga. It still has its puppy collar, which has cut through its neck since the dog is now grown up. I haven't been contacted at all by Animal Welfare.
The system is not as effective as some articles deem it is.
M.Gauci
May 24th 2010, 13:16
I have to disagree with you one this one.
When someone left a puppy outside my house and I rang for assistance these people were there within 2 hours and they were very professional too.