Upsetting encounter with a local warden

Recently I took my golden retriever, which has been trained for over five years now, for a walk from Swieqi to Sliema and back without a lead for training purposes – and I do carry a specific permit issued by a ministry.

All the people who have seen her on Tower Road, Sliema can vouch she is perfectly under control.

I was stopped by a warden who asked for my ID number and I answered that I have a permit that I took out of my pocket to show her – it has my ID number and the dog’s chip number. Without even letting me show it to her she barked that it was not valid, that her boss said it was not valid and warned me when I decided to just walk away... Since nothing was valid for that person, I did not see why I should waste my time.

The pair – because they always come in pairs – followed me and carried on with their warnings. They stopped a police car and the warden claimed I refused to give her my ID.

I produced the document and the policeman told her that everything was on the permit and there was no reason for the fuss. Still, I received two fines.

Some wardens have a rude attitude because they feel protected by what they call their public officer status! A public officer has duties and the first one is to be polite and to comply with the law.

I wonder how a country can tolerate such attitudes.

It speaks volumes for the disorganisation, the lawlessness... I also wonder why there is no warden in sight when people drive up the wrong way, do not stop at traffic lights, disturb the peace, litter...