Star, the “miracle dog” that survived a shot in the head and being buried alive, is slowly recovering at the Ħal Far animal hospital after over 40 lead pellets were removed from its skull.
The macabre act spurred much anger towards the “sick” person responsible, who has not yet been caught, with many calling for harsher punishments and longer jail terms in such horrifying cases.
Animal organisations also stressed the importance of microchipping – which, incidentally, became compulsory yesterday with the publication of a legal notice – in catching the perpetrator.
Vets at the San Franġisk animal hospital are surprised how Star managed to survive the ordeal. So far, it was in a stable condition and was drinking water but is still traumatised, Janice Chetcuti, from the Animal Welfare Department, said.
“From 40 to 50 pellets, along with pieces of plastic, were removed from the wound. Star is living up to its name already and is doing its very utmost to make it through this heart-breaking situation,” she said.
Shocking images, released yesterday by the department, showed the state in which the bitch was found on Thursday in Birżebbuġa on the way to Għar Ħasan.
Welfare officers went to a field in the area to investigate a report of three ill-treated dogs. There they heard the sound of muffled whimpering that led them to a wooden plank held in place by part of a tree trunk. When they lifted the plank they came across the nose of a buried dog poking out of the soil. As they dug up the dog they found it had been shot in the head, its snout had been tied shut and all four legs were bound together.
Animal lovers felt the law may not be harsh enough in such cases. “I think animal cruelty of this nature should be a crime punishable by a jail sentence,” Joe Edwards wrote on timesofmalta.com.
Agreeing with this, Maria Vella said: “I cannot find the right words to describe my disgust and contempt... What is even sadder is that legislation does not offer much protection to these animals.”
In fact, by law, anyone found guilty of animal cruelty can be fined between €233 and €46,500 or jailed for a maximum of one year.
A legal notice to be published soon, will raise the fines to between €500 and €50,000 but the maximum jail term will remain unchanged and the punishment handed down will be at the discretion of the presiding magistrate.
Mario Spiteri, who heads the Animal Welfare Department, said so far only one person was jailed for animal cruelty. The man was jailed for a few days for dumping kittens in a skip in Qawra.
He said cruelty like that suffered by Star was extreme and rare and could in fact only recall a couple of examples.
One infamous case was that of Cliff, an Alaskan husky, found abandoned down a Żurrieq cliff face with a rope tied around its neck. Some years ago a cat’s four legs were cut off in a Mosta field while the animal was still alive.
Jane Bannister-Grech, from SPCA, and Sarah De Cesare, from Dogs’ Trust, said the introduction of microchipping was essential.
Ms Barrister Grech said the present legislation was not tough enough to cater for such cases even though things had improved in the past years.
Ms De Cesare added: “Sadly, this is not an isolated incident and all too often Dogs Trust has to deal with the aftermath of cruelty, neglect or just basic ignorance on how to look after a dog.”
Commenting on timesofmalta. com, Pia Attard said: “It’s absolutely heartbreaking that there are people in this world who would actually do this.”
In a less compassionate tone, Roderic Sultana said: “Shame! How can someone treat animals in such a way? I’m really confused. Who’s the animal in this case? Good job Animal Welfare Department.”
In the past three years, the courts handed down 19 judgments related to animal cruelty.
The case is being investigated by the police. Anyone who has information can call the police on 2122 4001, the Animal Welfare Department on 2590 4132/2590 4113 or send an e-mail to animalwelfare.mrra@gov.mt.