Relief as missing dog returned to murdered boy's father
Updated - A dog belonging to a man whose son was murdered and placed in an industrial oven was found in Xemxija today.
The dog had disappeared on Tuesday, causing heartache to Nicola Romano who had described Rocky as “a symbol" of his son Gaetano”.
Friends of Mr Romano found it in Xemxija and immmediately phone him.
“If my wounds had healed one per cent since my son was killed, they have now been slashed open 110,” he said in comments before the dog was traced.
Gaetano was murdered a year and 10 months ago and his father said he had not found any peace of mind and was “dying inside”.
The latest loss had left the 69-year- old crying “from morning to night” as the brown labrador, also known – and treated – as Principino (little prince), “represented” his son and was his life and heart.
“Now, even that has been taken away from me,” the Sicilian cried. “You can imagine but you could never understand what it means to lose a son,” he said, recounting down to the slightest detail the run-up to his macabre discovery.
Sitting in a cloud of cigarette smoke and choking back the tears in his Buġibba gypsum shop, just above the garage in Damascus Street where he found his dead son on April 2, 2009, a day after his 20th birthday, Mr Romano gave a blow-by-blow account of that fateful day.
He was abroad when his son stopped answering his calls and, four days later, when he returned from a holiday he never wanted to go on but was convinced to by Gaetano, he found his badly burnt body in their own workshop furnace.
“I kissed him right there before I left,” he said, pointing to a spot in his Cinque Stelle shop.
The problem is also that, almost two years later, the police have not managed to home in on the perpetrators of the heinous crime and Mr Romano said he remained in the dark as to who took away the only son he had had with his deceased Maltese wife.
“I am so disappointed because I am Gaetano’s father and, if there is any news, I should be informed so that I could be more tranquil,” he said.
“I have been killed three times,” Mr Romano cried. “First, when my son was murdered; then because of the lack of justice – I still don’t and never will know anything about his death; and now that Rocky has disappeared.”
It is not the first time Mr Romano, who has been in Malta for 32 years, has had to face the loss of a pet. His other dog, also Rocky, was found dead and bound with tape in a suitcase in a nearby shell building some months before his son was murdered.
Back then, it was said the dog was found rolled in a carpet in a nearby field and the family had even received photos of their dead pet. “First the dog; then Gaetano. Now who’s next,” a cut-up Mr Romano had asked.
The two-year-old labrador that went missing was just a puppy when Gaetano was still around. He grew to be a “symbol” of the boy and another son t o Mr Romano.
Rocky still used to wait behind the door for his owner to arrive. He would sniff around his bedroom and once got “overly excited” when he saw a photo of Gaetano, the broken father said.
“I used to say I had two maschiacci (males). Then my son died and all I had was Rocky,” he said, passionately appealing to whoever took him to bring him back.
“There will not be any consequences,” he insisted in his appeal.
The dog was last seen outside the Bank of Valletta branch in Buġibba on Tuesday morning, Mr Romano said. That day, he had come for his usual caresses and his owner had cleaned his eyes outside his garage.
Then Rocky – “the best dog in the world” – took off for what would normally have been a 10-minute walk. But, this time, he never returned. Mr Romano said he received a call from the police 30 minutes later, informing him the dog was outside the bank but, by the time he got there, Rocky was gone.
“Rocky only eats meat,” he said, pointing at a photograph of him hugging the dog on his birthday, for which he had a cassatina for a cake.
Mr Romano may have strong suspicions about who killed his son but he claims his dog, which was chipped and had a metal tag with his number, was not nabbed by anyone who wanted to harm him personally. He does not know what to think when asked whether his son’s killers would ever be found. “I have reached a point where I do not have faith in anyone, not even myself. I do not trust anything,” he said.
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Mark Brincat
Feb 1st 2011, 18:32
Ohrog dejjem mieghu b'cinga. Mhux ovvja! Difficli biex nirragunawhom dawn l-affarjiet?
Joe Xuereb
Feb 1st 2011, 13:21
Buongiorno Compare Nicola. Felicitazioni per aver ritrovato il Rocky. Che siate bene!
Naturally I hope that the scum who killed Gaetano will get caught and legally processed. That said, they, and anyone else who knows of their crime, are already a punishment unto themselves. They may indeed have committed their crime as an act of revenge, hatred, etc. They may still congratulate themselves for having done their crime with no remorse or guilt feelings. In their complacency they're happy with their life? But what a life! Would any decent person want to be in their shoes? They're a punishment unto themselves and they don't even know it. Maybe they're reading this and laughing. Let them laugh. They're living in a sewer and don't even know it. Which means they can never get out and it can only get worse for them. Good luck you murderous lot. You're condemned to spend your life looking over your shoulders. If you want any peace be decent enough to go to a Police Station and own up. Then you'll have peace. Of course you won't do this. You prefer living in a cesspool because that's all you know
EVIL IS ITS OWN PUNISHMENT.
Claire Busuttil
Feb 1st 2011, 10:53
Tal anqas il kelb, instab.
Dar ragel ghadej min infern miskin.......! kul kumment iehor hu banali!
Maria Busuttil
Feb 1st 2011, 10:06
I totally agree with those saying that dogs should only go out with their masters on a leash. It is not loving the dog, to let him out alone. I have six dogs and none of them steps outside without me and on the leash. One does not really love his dog. Would you let your five year old child roam outside in the streets alone, just for a walk? Its the same with your beloved dog. It can get lost, stolen, run over by a car or bitten by another dog. On the other hand the dog running around in the streets can cause a traffic accident, when the drivers try not to hit the dog. I love dogs and cats so much, but there are people who do not love dogs and sometimes they are really afraid of them, so why should a person walking out in the street meet the dog running around unattended?
Katia Bugeja
Feb 1st 2011, 10:54
how old are you dear Maria? reminder he is 69. Did you lose a son the way this poor guy did? I hope not.. this guy has suffured a lot. and he is always walking with his dog with the leash on in Bugibba. but we don't have control on certain things. we'd better mutter discontentedly about the disastrous way our tarmac is in our roads and around the roundabouts full of flowers changed every month all around Malta instead of blaming this poor guy for this accident which meant a lot for him. his dog didn't created any accident but believe me wrong asfalt on our road paid by the high taxes we pay, did created accidents and will eventually create more.
we'd better find some time and give a smile to this guy... he really needs it believe me.
Maria Busuttil
Feb 1st 2011, 12:31
@katia bugeja. How is this, all one says is always turned into a political issue?
Katia Bugeja
Feb 1st 2011, 15:01
I will answer you back dear.......
HOW IS THIS?
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110201/local/truck-topples-over-driver-treated-for-shock
At the same time I was answering you and writing this
"his dog didn't created any accident but believe me wrong asfalt on our road paid by the high taxes we pay, did created accidents and
WILL EVENTUALLY CREATE MORE"
.....this happened
YOU SEE NOW HOW IS THIS.... YOU'VE GOT THE ANSWER, IT WASN'T THE DOG OF THIS POOR GUY, BUT IT WAS THE TARMAC THAT YOU AND I PAY FOR IT, DEAR ONE.
HAPPY? AND IT'S NOT POLITICAL BUT IT IS REALITY. BETTER SPEAK TO HAVE BETTER ROADS THAN GRUMBLE ON THE DOG OF THIS HUMBLE POOR OLD MAN WHO SUFFERED A LOT. I DROVE WITH MOTORCYCLE ABROAD AND NEVER SKIDDED IN RAIN AND NEVER WENT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH 80 BUT HERE IN MALTA 40 = ACCIDENT. INCREDIBLE.
Ronald Debattista
Feb 2nd 2011, 15:26
Dear Katia,have a break please,please.please..What has this post have to do with our roads?
Roderick Cutajar
Jan 31st 2011, 21:43
I Know Niola since years ago i bought coving from him for my new house.He is a real gentleman.Since the cost of the material was quite high..he told me to pay him monthly and also it was up to me how much i pay a month....how many shop/company owners gives this as option to the consumers.
I am so sorry for this guy that had to suffer so much in his life.i wish i can help you Nicola as you helped me.And for those who took the dog as he is saying just return it to him and let this guy lives in peace.
a galea
Jan 31st 2011, 20:20
@Gino Schembri
Have a heart Mr Schembri!
Gino Schembri
Feb 1st 2011, 15:59
@ Joe Xuereb
@ a. galea
You put it as if I criticised Nicola for what he said, when indeed I only corrected the wrong word that was put in his mouth, so to say, by 'The Times' journalist who wrote the article. If he were to say "maschiacci", so be it (for endearment or unexpected irony or whatever), but that's not what he said. Misquoting this hurt man on the very adjective he used to describe his loved one(s) would only amount to insult added to injury (not everybody may listen to the original recording).
Regarding the story itself - I am so pleased that this very meaningful dog has returned to its master; and especially that it wasn't the gruesome criminal(s) striking again.
victor pulis
Jan 31st 2011, 17:08
Just as I suspected. In Maltese we have a saying 'Il kelb il mismut kull ilma jahsbu mishun' This man has gone through a lot and in the state of mind he's in anything that happens to him is linked to his son's murder. I am happy that he has been united with his dog and hopefully this will serve as a lesson to keep the dog on a leash in future. it could have easily been run over.
Kenneth Curmi
Feb 1st 2011, 09:08
"Mr Romano may have strong suspicions about who killed his son but he claims his dog, which was chipped and had a metal tag with his number, was not nabbed by anyone who wanted to harm him personally."
Last paragraph, Sherlock.
Marthese Mussett
Jan 31st 2011, 17:02
How very very sad.Gaetano died a horrible death,and gone far too soon.Hope that his murderer or murderers will be caught,no parent should go through what Mr.Romano had to go through.
victor pulis
Jan 31st 2011, 14:52
Then Rocky – “the best dog in the world” – took off for what would normally have been a 10-minute walk. But, this time, he never returned.
Dogs don't 'take off' for walks. They are walked on a leash. The dog could have been stolen or it could have just wandered off and got lost or even run over.
Whatever happened, I hope the owner finds it and if it was taken by the monsters who killed his son may they get what's coming to them.
Jason Aquilina
Jan 31st 2011, 21:52
Mr. Pulis, if I wanted an anal probe, I'd ask you for one...I'm sure you would be pleased!
Kenneth camilleri
Jan 31st 2011, 14:50
It is extremely disturbing that there are people who have so much hatred against this man and his family to commit such acts. If the culprits could lead to a clue to his son's death I would suggest Mr. Romano to get another dog and install in his collar a tracker. If his previous dog was killed and this one kidnapped too then the probability is that they will kidnap his third. (Non c'e due senza tre) With a tracker the dog could be traced on google earth spot on anywhere.
James A. Tyrrell
Jan 31st 2011, 14:41
For God's sake how much more does this poor man have to suffer? I hope your dog is found safe and well Nicola and soon. Can I just say that there are people out there who are aware of what happened to Gaetano and who was responsible. Do you think it is right to keep quiet about what you know? Do you think the animals responsible for this young man's death deserve your protection? The people responsible are not normal and do not deserve to live amongst normal people. Please do the right thing and go to the police. Nothing can bring Nicola's son back but his father at least deserves the closure of knowing that the people who took his life will pay for it and will never be able to hurt anyone else.
E Gatt
Jan 31st 2011, 14:20
I feel really sorry for Nicola. He is a very kind man, and Gaetano was just like him. A kind, gentleman, who put other peoples feeling before his, and always took care of his loving friends. I really hope he finds his dog soon, and when he does, he better keep him inside to avoid him being lost, stolen or even run over.
I however think that he shouldnt have given out his personal details (mobile phone and landline number), and instead asked the public to contact the police station or SPCA to relate any information regarding the whereabouts of his dog.
Fingers crossed they will be reunited again.
c saliba
Jan 31st 2011, 14:48
ROCKY HAS BEEN FOUND AND IS BACK WITH THE OWNER .
E Gatt
Jan 31st 2011, 17:00
Finally, a bit of good news for the chap! Thanks for letting me know!
A.Busuttil
Jan 31st 2011, 14:14
My heart is with Nicola, my sympaty my friend.
may God gives you strenght to face the future.
I will pray for you.
Joe Xuereb
Jan 31st 2011, 13:59
@Gino Schembri. Ghaliex qed tfittex ix-xaghra fil-ghagina siehbi? Tahseb li dan hu l-waqt addattat? Seta' kien li Romano qal 'maschiaccio'. Bil-Malti nghidu, 'l-imqareb tieghi' - a term of endearment. Inkunu daqsxejn sensittivi f'gieh alla!
I listened to the video-clip. He did say 'maschietti'. So?! What if he had said 'maschiacci'?! The desperate pain in this man's voice.......
c saliba
Jan 31st 2011, 13:06
Rocky was noticed in Xemxija, somebody phoned up the owner and he went to pick it up. I just spoke to Signor Romano and saw his dog Rocky myself near his shop. Looks like the dog lost its' way home and ended up at Xemxija. Glad that it's a happy ending but that dog is a bit of a menace as he likes to chase motorbikes ...... but very tame .
o.galea
Jan 31st 2011, 13:01
losing a son in such a horrible manner must be unbearable....
and more so if the police have made no headway .....
please try and contact this organisation.......
they specialise in unsolved cases and they are voluntary....
http://www.vidocq.org/what.html
good luck !
Joe Portelli
Jan 31st 2011, 12:55
There is no justice i.e. there are no suitable sentences to deter criminals and so not only the cowards would feel secure in commiting even more hideous crime but even the police themselves must loose motivation when they find that these same criminals are usually let off easily and are out again to avenge who put them there........
Deterrent through heavy sentences.
Its quite sahmefull to belong to such a society that allows such systems
Gino Schembri
Jan 31st 2011, 12:48
Just a note on a word used in the article:
Nicola didn't say "ho due maschiacci" (as stated in the article) but "ho due
maschietti". There's a difference: "maschietti" is "(young) males", ok. But "maschiacci" smacks of "rascal (males)" - which did sound a bit strange to me coming from a dedicated father/pet owner, until I listened to the original recording.
CMicallef
Jan 31st 2011, 12:17
Jekk xi hadd ha il-kelb bhala pika, veru tal-misthijja! Min jaghmel dawn l-affarijiet ma jiflahx jaqa izjed fil-baxx! Dawn l-annimali huma kreaturi indivizi, kif tista qatt tuza, twegga jew tahqarhom meta kull ma joffrulek hija mhabba infinita u bla ebda kondizzjoni?!!! Min ha dan il-kelb anki jekk bla ebda skop hazin ghandu jirritornah lura lil sidu illi milli jidher, bhal hafna nies ohra, iqis lil kelb tieghu bhala membru tal-familja u ghalhekk tistghu timmaginaw l-ugigh li qieghed ihoss dan ir-ragel minhabba n-nuqqas tal-kelb tieghu u barra minn hekk min ha l-kelb, qieghed ukoll jippriva lill-kelb stess, ingustament mill-imhabba tal-familja tieghu u mill-ambjent li trabba fih!
Sandra Grech
Jan 31st 2011, 10:25
Oh my goodness what a horrible little place Malta has become, can't believe these murdering really sick horrors are still running loose, can't the police call in the FBI or something, they obviously need help with catching them! poor man.
G. Attard
Jan 31st 2011, 11:40
the FBI, are you serious?
Mavies Green
Jan 31st 2011, 12:26
And YET we read of Malta being an ideal country to spend our retirement , i don't think so somehow do you, its not the Malta we used to know when i was serving with the RN in late 50'searly 60's, come to think of it nowhere is safe anymore, and we thought perhaps Malta can give retired people of our age group, but that dream has gone out the window sorry to say as we do love the country, but things have changed enormous since the old days. Pity.
John Vassallo
Jan 31st 2011, 13:35
@ G. Attard
Well, if the police haven't managed to close in on suspects, then maybe yes, a higher force would be needed. I mean, killing a 20 year old man, putting nails into his head and burning him in an oven just below his father's garage is not just a petty theft - it's a serious and henious crime! So why not the FBI in cases like these?
c saliba
Jan 31st 2011, 14:31
the dog has been found at Xemxija, now it's back with its' owner. I spoke to sig. Romano myself and saw Rocky with my own eyes about an hour ago. Looks like the dog went for "walkies" and got lost.
Joseph Arpa
Feb 1st 2011, 07:59
waahahahah the FBI !!!!! CALL IN THE MARINES.............come on Sandra, get real.
Vincent Galea
Jan 31st 2011, 09:56
Sometimes I wish I'd been born in the late 18th century in Hal Muxi.
John Dee
Jan 31st 2011, 17:51
If you had, Mr Galea,I'm sure the same laws would have been in force, and they would have been out of touch with reality then as well.
Franco Farrugia
Jan 31st 2011, 09:43
I am not going to enter into the merits and details of this heinous crime that has remained unsolved. But to use a dog - whoever it is that's using him - for such outrageous purposes, is despicable and condemnable. No peace-loving person can stop from condemning such a vile act (unless, of course, it turns out that the dog got lost). Action should be taken, and in a serious manner, to put light on this matter.
Adrian Darmanin
Jan 31st 2011, 09:28
I sympathize in full Sig. Romano. I too love dogs and know the hardship when they are gone. One thing though. How can you handsome lab walk around town unaccompanied as I seem to understand from the article? If someone doesn't take him, it's inviting a traffic accident at the very least.
Brian Fenech
Jan 31st 2011, 10:23
I was going to say the same thing. I live close to his shop and on a daily basis I see this dog running in the streets unleashed. He can easily be hit by a car or taken from someone who tought he's a stray. Even the previous dog used to run around the street unleashed. The "10 minute walk" would probably be making people furious since that means he's around pooing on people's porches & pavements!
While i symphatise with Mr Romano & hope for the safe return of this dog, he shall take it as a lesson & be more responsible next time.
J. Spiteri
Jan 31st 2011, 11:26
@ Brian Fenech....
Insensitivity at its worst. Best if you kept your thoughts to yourself.
Joseph Galea
Jan 31st 2011, 12:59
Well said Brian
Franco Farrugia
Jan 31st 2011, 13:08
Sensitivity or not, you're right: dogs should not be allowed to walk around unaccompanied and uncontrolled, for their own safety first and foremost.
M. Vella
Jan 31st 2011, 13:13
Brian Fenech
It is obvious that you have never received the unconditional love of an animal, which is why you are being so insensitive.
Brian Fenech
Jan 31st 2011, 14:22
J.Spiteri & M.Vella
You both interpreted my message wrongly. I am not being insensitive in any way!
My point is that a dog should not be left running out in the streets! it's a nusiance to neighbours & it's dangerous for the dog itself & for motorists! If im not mistaken, it's illegal to keep a dog off the leash!
and if you didnt read clearly, i wish the dog returns or is returned to his owner as i know how much it means to him!!
Joseph Galea
Jan 31st 2011, 14:50
@Brian Fenech
Well said
M. Fenech
Jan 31st 2011, 15:13
@ M Vella
Laws are there to be observed, if we call ourselves living in a civil society. Without getting into this particular case, since I don't have a clear picture of the facts, I want to point out to all the animal lovers around the Maltese islands, that they can love there pets as much as they want, but please when you take them out put them on a lease, and not letting them around free and leaving foul smells and other disgustive material in front of other people's property. Since they have a right to enjoy their pets, other people have their rights too, and not having their front garden turned into a toilet for pets!
Adrian Borg Cardona
Jan 31st 2011, 15:19
While I sympathise strongly with anyone who loses his pet, I too agree that dogs should not be left to roam around on their own. The corner where I live in Balzan has become a dog's toilet. Every day some dog or two dumps there, no matter how often my wife and I remove the dog dirt and throw buckets of disinfectant. Of course, I do not rule out that some owners refuse to clean up after their dog - there are a number of those as well. Children who used to play in our street have been stopped doing so because of the danger to their health.
Isabella Peresso Fiorentino
Jan 31st 2011, 20:57
M Fenech - it's called a leash and not a lease. And please don't start on this one will you? i too hate it when I come across some idiot's chewing gum on the pavement with the consequence that I take it home stuck to the bottom of my shoe - yuck ! And what about the disgusting green bile people spit onto the pavement?
So for once, lets sympathize with this man rather than get carried away with the usual whining about dog excrement ..