Hundreds turn up for animal cruelty protest
Hundreds of people turned up in Sliema this afternoon for the biggest protest against animal cruelty seen in Malta.
The protest - a silent march - was a reaction to the horrific attack on Star, the dog that was bound, shot and buried alive near Ghar Hasan in Birzebbuga last month. The dog was rescued in the nick of time by officers of the Animal Welfare Department after a tip-off.
Many of those taking part took their dogs along. Participants carried placards reading 'Stop Animal Cruelty' while the dogs wore coloured ribbons on their collars in 'solidarity' with Star.
The protest started at the Ferries, where young singer Shauna Vassallo performed her song Fejn, which focuses on cruelty to animals. It ended in Ta' Xbiex.
Organiser Fleur Cilia Buckett said she was pleased that turnout was bigger than she had expected. She said that there were many other cases of animal cruelty apart from that inflicted on Star, and the authorities therefore needed to raise the penalties which the courts may impose on those convicted of animal cruelty. It was also important, however, that the courts also ordered psychological help to abuses since they were otherwise likely to re-offend.
Those present included members of several NGOs involved in animal welfare and Resources Minister George Pullicino.
Star herself could not be taken to the protest because she is still too weak. She is being cared for at the recently-opened St Francis Animal Welfare Centre in Ta' Qali.
More than 50,000 have signed up to a Star solidarity page on Facebook. Meanwhile, a fund has been set up to reward anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of the culprit.
“A sum of money is to be given to anyone whose information leads to the arrest of the persons responsible.
If, within a year, no one gives any information about the aggression on Star, the funds will be forwarded to NGOs involved with the welfare of animals. In any case, Star and the animals will always benefit,” said Roberto Calleia,organiser of the fund.
Those who wish to contribute may send an SMS to the following: 5061 7375 for a donation of €2.33; 5061 8084 for €4.66; and 5061 9222 for €11.65.
One may also effect a direct bank transfer: HSBC Account: 027 10618 6901 or go to Facebook: Star Reward.
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Elaine Sultana
Jun 9th 2011, 19:51
Stephen Koludrovic.
Surely human life is more precious than animal life. Have we humans become so desensitized that we disregard the value of our own species and defend animals? I feel sickened by what happened to Star, but I feel far sadder - and angrier - at the rising tide of casual violence and the way in which it is being dumbed down. I wish human beings would learn to value their own - a dog is not just for Christmas, but neither is a spouse or child.
Elaine Sultana
Jason Borg
Jun 6th 2011, 15:47
This Church and Religion Bashing is now turning into a comedy. Every silly excuse is being used to insult believers. If you don't believe, it is fine with me. If you want to deny that God exists, fine with me. But let others do what they want without you busybodies breathing down our necks. If you are so silly, depressed, etc, to turn every arguement, story or bit of news into an excuse to insult believers, kindly go and find some professional cure for your maladies. Most of you do not even have an idea of what our religion is. Most of you do not have any idea of what the Bible is. You think you are experts, when in fact you are nothing but sad and lonely people trying to vent your anger on others. You say that Christians want to interfere in other people's lives. That, dear people, is what you are doing to us. You are obsessed with religion and God more than 1000 saints put together.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 6th 2011, 18:11
Errr. Mr Jason Borg, from the little I know of religion - and I am not going to dwell on the turning of the other cheek as Jesus Christ preached - we are taught to treat each other with respect and not to give vent to our anger. Your language, your style and your tone shows you for what you are. And for what you are truly not.
Jason Borg
Jun 6th 2011, 18:41
It is called "taste your own medicine", which can taste very bitter, especially when you think of the other side as a punching bag, only fit to recieve blows. Unfortunately for you, Mr. Franco Farrugia, I am a very imperfect Christian, so don't expect me to give you the other cheek.
Mr J Galea
Jun 6th 2011, 12:49
@c.t. busuttil I have something more to add to your religious beliefs.Look at what god have to say regarding animal cruelty.
Joshua {11:6} And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid
because of them: for to morrow about this time will I
deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their
horses, and burn their chariots with fire.
Samuel 2 {8:4} And David took from him a thousand
[chariots,] and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty
thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot
[horses,] but reserved of them [for] an hundred chariots.
Chronicles 1 {18:3} And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto
Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river
Euphrates. {18:4} And David took from him a thousand
chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty
thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot
[horses,] but reserved of them an hundred chariots.
Jason Borg
Jun 6th 2011, 15:27
Do you know that you are quoting from texts written thousands REPEAT thousands of years ago? Do you judge the present because of texts written out of context thousands of years ago? Grow up, please.
Miriam Mcelwee
Jun 6th 2011, 12:18
YES GOOD FOR MALTA AND THE PEOPLE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS CRUILITY TO ANIMALS WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THE HUMEN RACE GIVE ME ANIMALS ANYTIME THEN PEOPLE SO PLEASE ALL PEOPLE GO GO TO GOZO AND SEE MORE CRUILITY AND DO YOUR VERY BEST TO STOP THIS ON ALL ANIMALS PLEASE PRINT THIS I AM MALTESE
Mr Joe Xuereb
Jun 6th 2011, 11:32
@CT Busuttil. See what I mean about quoting 'chapter and verse'. You missed the whole point I'm afraid. Yes Busuttil, we now that god created and protects his creations. And then he sends us earthquakes. So some people disobey his rules. And as an assiduous church-going acquaintance of mine - a rogue if ever there was one* - puts it, god and nature are two separate things acting independently of each other. Talk about blatant rationalisations!
Now, I wonder if that bumble-bee deserted its haven up there in the scented wisteria and flew back onto the flag-stones, there to be trambpled by some Prada stiletto. No my responsibility. I cannot be everywhere at all times. What am I? god?
He - early 60s - is divorced in London, flew to Malta to vote No in the recent referendum and spends his time making a nuisance of himself 'jittanta kull dublett li jgħaddi' (pestering any and ALL women who chances by). It is not a priest or lawyer that he needs. He needs a doctor.
Mr Brian Camilleri
Jun 6th 2011, 09:20
lol @ the last two dogs.
Victor Rodenas
Jun 6th 2011, 06:05
What happened to star was horrible,to say the least,we have to remember that in the world there are still human beings who fare as bad as Star and even worse.Think about the last murdered Bulgarian woman at St. Paul`s Bay.Those woman which are gang raped and those who are stond to death because of Sharia Laws.Is the World any better than it was long ago?
Neville Zammit
Jun 5th 2011, 23:14
This protest indicates that we have started to learn and get aware about animal cruelty. People should start exert pressure on political parties to do something and change impose harsher laws against cruelty. We should speak up, animals have no votes!
Mr Joe Xuereb
Jun 5th 2011, 23:02
Generally speaking I am not particularly fond of dogs (cats yes). But the treatment meted out to Star was horrendously sick and I am concerned for the mind that perpetrated this act (although s/he would never admit this and that is part of the sickness). One does not treat a living creature in this manner. One does not lie or cheat or steal. One does not treat oneself with indignity.
Abortion may be allowed under special circumstances simply because it involves another human being who cannot defend itself. Euthanasia I am not against as it affects no one other than the person who wants to 'go'.
Walking along the pavement the other day I spotted a bumble bee ambling along the flag-stones. Risking being stung - talk about biting the hand that feeds you! - I gingerly picked it up and flung it into the wisteria. It could have/would have been trampled upon. Or a child comes along and as likely as not, wantonly kill it. No way, Jose!
To Gerry Cowie and his ilk. See Gerry, I practise Christian values of love and respect for life, without god entanglements. To anybody else who doesn't know me, I am a gay man (that means homosexual for those who still think gay only means happy and colourful, which I am), an atheist.* I am a decent sort of chappie. No chapter. No verse. Just me. Why complicate life when it's already so complex.
* This means I expect no rewards if I save an insect from being trampled underfoot, accidentally or with intent. Never mind a child. Or an adult for that matter. The Cowies of this world can sink or swim. My responsibilities stop with them. I would pray for them if I 'could' but I don't do that sort of thing. I prefer to put my money where my mouth is. Gives better, tangible results.
Claire Busuttil
Jun 6th 2011, 08:26
many of the VIP christians, that you mentioned, obey the church, not God, and sadly the church does not protect animals, .....
c.t. busuttil
Jun 6th 2011, 10:05
@ Claire : excuse me! Rather, people stray from the Church's clear teachings>
"Animals are God's creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals….It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly." —from Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three, Section Two, Chapter Two, Article 7, 2:2416, 2418.
Jason Borg
Jun 6th 2011, 12:14
U x'għandha x'taqsam il-Knisja! Erbat ijiem oħra anke jekk xi ħadd jisgħol teħel il-Knisja! Baqgħalna x'nivvintaw, kif qażżiżtuni.
Mr Mark Vella Bardon
Jun 5th 2011, 22:48
I am waiting for those VIP Christians who pronounced themselves to vociferously against divorce to pronounce themselves equally vociferously against animal cruelty.
Harsher penalties are not the answer. Moral values including treatment of animals and efficient application of the existing law would help protect these defenceless beings
William Agius
Jun 5th 2011, 21:18
Animal cruelty laws should be updated in Malta like other civilized European countries where prison sentences are imposed, and not just a pitiful fine of a few Euros as they are in Malta.
I will be sending my contribution to the fund to catch this culprit who committed such a heartless crime.
Mr Anthony Mizzi
Jun 5th 2011, 20:31
Hopefully the perpetuators of such crimes, if caught, will not be considered as "victims of society” and in need of psychiatric care and given breaks in some mental institution surrounded by orange groves!
It is high time that support be given to the victims and not the perpetuators of such crimes treated as victims of society , as their Lawyers make them out to be and just be let off with warnings and suspended sentences!
Claire Busuttil
Jun 6th 2011, 08:24
a million times!!!!!
Mr J. Borg
Jun 5th 2011, 20:26
Lastly if I am in a situation where, I can save either, Star or the sadistic 'homo sapien' (sic) who tortoured Star ............. I will save Star outright!
Mr Edward Camilleri
Jun 5th 2011, 20:09
What makes me sick in this country is not just what happened to Star under the hands of a barbarian - he must be really a sick person to do what he did - but the fact that NO one came forward with at least the name of the owner. It cannot be that there is NO one out there that knows who Star belongs too.
And the fact that the owner did not come forward, is really sickening indeed. It just confirms who did this barbaric act. I really am confused who is really the animal in this case.
Mr Kenneth Zammit Tabona
Jun 5th 2011, 20:06
St Francisof Assisi and St Roque must have been delighted with the turnout................I hope that whoever did what he did to Star will be caught and the real reason for his commiting such an atrocity will be revealed. Although it is so worrying to know that a person capable of committing such a crime is wandering in our midst (next time it could be a child) it is heartening to see all those animal lovers braving the rih isfel to make their voices heard.
Yes sadly there are sick minds who are capable of thiongs like that unspeakable murder of that young man in Bugibba whose skull had nails hammered in and then was out into an oven.........the mind boggles at the ingenuity of man to inflict the most unspeakable pain on another human being. Such is our horrible destiny.
Dog is God backwardsand all those who love their animals as part of God's Creation will be saved.........
Mr Stephen Florian
Jun 5th 2011, 19:56
How I wish I was there. Good job !
Mr leo attard
Jun 5th 2011, 21:12
Ms Isaac, we are well aware what it's all about. true there was no parallel protest here, but we have our share of animal lovers -- and i am proud to be one of them, even to the point of being a vegetarian -- so please, let's not judge
wendy isaac
Jun 5th 2011, 19:18
Well done Malta now organize another march on Gozo and show the Gozitans whats it all about.
M.J. Young (Mrs).
John Attard
Jun 6th 2011, 12:07
This horrible act took place in Malta. I am not saying that animal cruelty doesnt exist in Gozo, as it happens all around the world. But please be realistic and dont judge.
Mr J Galea
Jun 5th 2011, 19:09
I condemn such cruelty on animals with full force and I applaud those many people supporting this cause to help this dog to live it's life again.But there is still one question that pops into my mind every time I read of a similar news. How is it that so many people tries to help a single dog in distress while we never see protests from these same people against fellow human killings?
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110604/local/woman-murdered-in-qawra.368889
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080227/local/murder-victim-was-shot-stabbed-autopsy-confirms.198115
Mr Edward Camilleri
Jun 5th 2011, 20:03
@Mr J Galea
Please note that the severe trauma inflicted on Star is only one of the many attrocities done on innocent animals by humans. Its enough to say that the Animal Welfare Department receives approx. 50 calls per week of some form of cruelty on animals. This is besides the other cases of cruelty on animals that remain unreported.
Thus star is barely the tip of the iceberg. Though the trauma suffered is very severe, everyone now knows in what condition she was found, there are many other animals suffering unnecessarily because of the irresponsible behaviour of humans. The persons protesting were not just helping "a single dog" , although she deserves the best care we can give her.
I deplore all animal sufferings (including humans, after all we are all the same). However we all know that the law makes a huge distinction between a fellow human and other animals. Thus the law is already in favour of us humans, I hope someday similar laws will be enacted to defend all defenseless creatures.
Jesmond Micallef
Jun 5th 2011, 20:22
Good one, Mr. J. Galea.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 5th 2011, 20:51
Somehow, I don't think that you 'condemn such cruelty'. Sad. Very sad. We are so immersed about us, us, us, human beings, that we ignore the basic fact that we share this planet with other animals.
Mr david debattista
Jun 5th 2011, 18:58
Well done, this is great news indeed. Lets stop this sickness once and for all.
Gerry Cowie
Jun 5th 2011, 18:08
I look forward to a massive protest against abortion and euthenasia to show that people should also have a value! Whilst what happened to Star was sickening, so is the concentration on animals above human beings by some.
Peter Cassar
Jun 5th 2011, 18:44
Wait a couple of decades dw :)
Mrs Shirley Spiteri
Jun 5th 2011, 18:53
Why don't you get involved and start something yourself instead of waiting for someone else to do it for you
Victor Pulis
Jun 5th 2011, 18:55
No problem Gerry. love has no limits and it is not given out by ration.Meanwhile, I hope you found time to protest against animal cruelty. Animal lovers do not put animals above humans...But I see nothing wrong with putting animals on the same level as humans where condemning cruelty is concerned.
Mr martin chetcuti
Jun 5th 2011, 18:57
Concentration should be on ALL who is suffering.
Jonathan Vella
Jun 5th 2011, 19:04
Gerry - your comment is utterly out of context.
Mark Shaw
Jun 5th 2011, 19:07
I look forward to a protest of people against stupid crass comments!! WHY in this blissfully ignorant country does almost every argument involve someone raising the issue of abortion ??? WHAT has abortion got to do with animal cruelty pray tell? and please tell me if you can since when are Humans seperate from the animal kingdom?, last i read we are descended from Apes/Homonids that have been walking this Earth for the last 100, 000 odd years! which makes us??..you guessed it, Animals! unless you believe the 7 day fairy tale of course in which case Humans are the top of the tree, believe that you'll believe anything!..ooh Pink Elephants flying by!
Colin Stanley
Jun 5th 2011, 19:08
I agree, but I also love animals.
Mr david debattista
Jun 5th 2011, 19:12
Well they do not rape, make war or nuclear war, murder nor tell others if they can find love again in their life, but they do give a lot of love in return for the little love we give them. As for abortion I am with you all the way a big fat NO. In most cases it is a question of irresponsibility or being egoistic.
Mr david debattista
Jun 5th 2011, 19:12
Well they do not rape, make war or nuclear war, murder nor tell others if they can find love again in their life, but they do give a lot of love in return for the little love we give them. As for abortion I am with you all the way a big fat NO. In most cases it is a question of irresponsibility or being egoistic.
Isabel Clemes
Jun 5th 2011, 19:22
Hi Gerry, I agree with you that the value of human beings is at least as high as that of animals but that should by no means be shown by taking away human rights as abortion and/or euthanasia. Especially euthanasia; I strongly believe that under the right circumstances one should be able to decide for themselves wether life should be over or not. Anyway, thats just my opinion.
Mr Alfred Grech
Jun 5th 2011, 19:29
I second and third your proposal, Gerry.
Miguel Sant
Jun 5th 2011, 19:39
There are already a lot of groups and there is enough support for human causes. On the other hand animals don't have a voice so we must talk for them. "so is the concentration on animals above human beings by some." . Id prefer an animal to another human being anytime .
David Vella
Jun 5th 2011, 19:44
Have to disagree here about euthanasia. How is it that we have no qualms about putting an animal down when it's in insufferable pain, but a human doesn't have that option?
Which is the humane way to do it? Leave someone finish off his days in excruciating misery, or assist them to leave this world in dignity?
Franco Farrugia
Jun 5th 2011, 19:45
Gerry Cowie, what can I tell you? I pity people like you: you must be so terribly sad, continually thinking about things that do not have anything to do with the present issue You must be such a sad person, when you call this attention, this 'concentration on animals above human beings' as 'sickening'. Therefore, I, the undersigned, am 'sickening' because I value an animal's life in the same measure as I value that of any other human animal. Happy?
Honestly, I don't have words to express my utmost revulsion at words coming from one who, in his comments, makes out that he is holier-than-thou, that he beats his breast every day, that he is religious and holy. What has 'abortion' and 'euthanasia' got to do with the issue above?
And by the way, get this straight, Gerry Cowie: it's none of your d*** business what values I have. My values are my own. Thank goodness I have a different God from yours!
You are downright disgusting. Nauseating. I find no words to describe you further.
Franco Farrugia
Karen Goode
Jun 5th 2011, 20:12
Mr Cowie ... as usual your comments are irrelevant to this issue. You clearly have too much time on your hands and perhaps you should devote that to furthering a cause you clearly are passionate about. I have to say, your attitude to animal cruelty and animals is general is indicative of a decent, moral, humane Christian view ... NOT.
Stefan Zammit
Jun 5th 2011, 20:17
@Franco Farrugia: Valuing an animal life as much as a human life is sickening. May God forbid it ever happens, if you had to choose between your loved one, and your dog would you hesitate to pick? Then again I have two dogs and I love them and take very good care of them. One of them had his 15th birthday a few days ago in fact and he's still quite in good shape too!
Mr J. Borg
Jun 5th 2011, 20:22
gerry,
humans ARE animals - albeit with a marked egoistic and self-centred strain....
and I tend to believe that Mother Nature would not mind having more of any species and less of the human kind ;)
Karen Goode
Jun 5th 2011, 20:24
@ Franco Farrugia .. well said!!
Stephen Koludrovic
Jun 5th 2011, 20:38
@ Stefan Zammit,
I would choose my dog long before I would feel any sort of compassion for that savage that stabbed that Bulgarian girl in Qawra.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 5th 2011, 20:56
@ Stefan Zammit: Honestly, I don't care what you think. It is MY opinion, it is my value, it is my belief. Every life is precious, and just because I am a human being does not mean that other animals are of some lower stature.
J Zammit
Jun 5th 2011, 21:00
Why this comment ? Really ?
Its people like you that seem to take delight in stifling others that devalue human beings....ban ban ban, against this against that. Controlling others, thats what its all about. You couldnt even refrain from disparaging a show of unselfish love and compassion coming from your fellow human beings.
It is when people are upholding and demonstrating disenterested love and compassion, sir, is when people show real value. It makes one feel good and hopeful that maybe just maybe we can be worthy creatures.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 5th 2011, 21:02
I wish that you all would get it into your heads that SUFFERING IS SUFFERING, whether it is a human being suffering, whether it is any other animal. Just because we are human beings and took the reins in our hands, does not mean that we are in any way in charge and that we are the only sentient beings around. That is just being silly, stupid, and irrational.
Just tell me what 'abortion and 'euthanasia' got to do with this subject.
Why should some disgusting person always jump up and protest and moan, whenever the plight of animals is mentioned? Do we really love animals? I doubt it. Very much.
And then, we have some people continually going on and on and on about values and about the morality of abortion, of euthanasia, and so on.
Adrian Cardona
Jun 6th 2011, 00:09
@ Stefan Zammit
if it comes to choosing between my beloved pets and someone I don't know (like you, for example), it would so definitely be my pets. Without blinking once.
Claire Busuttil
Jun 6th 2011, 08:23
no life is more important than others.......animals and human beings(who are animals as well) should be put on the same level.
I have been, am living with this concept all my life, and will continue to do so, don`t matter what many people think.
Why some human beings think that they are above everything?!?!?!?