A sort of life, and death, no animal should face

The image of Star’s nose, bound with string and poking through the soil as it gasped for air, revolted a nation and mobilised people into taking to the streets to protest against animal cruelty.

The story was all the more horrific because of the malice that went into stamping out the life of the female cross-breed. It had her muzzle, front and hind paws tied before being shot and buried in a shallow grave. Everything indicated the perpetrator wanted to ensure the dog would not escape or be found.

Just over a month from the grim discovery of the dog that died a few days after its rescue, a 44-year-old Birżebbuġa farmer confessed to the crime. He was jailed for three months and fined €10,000 with the presiding magistrate describing it as a case of “exaggerated animal cruelty”. The farmer has appealed the sentence.

In the protest, attended by hundreds, animal lovers called for harsher penalties even if the punishment contemplated by the law is not exactly light. In fact, anyone found guilty of animal cruelty can be fined up to €46,500 or jailed for a maximum of one year. And the government says it will be going a step further and plans to raise the penalty to €50,000 but leaving the maximum jail term unchanged. So, if applied in its full force, one cannot really argue that the law does not serve as a good deterrent.

The story of Star touched a nerve with the media - not just in Malta - and social networks because it was an account of a harmless creature that initially survived despite the brutal torture it endured. Yet, this is not the first sadistic act of animal cruelty and will not be the last either, as has already been seen. Who can forget the case of a fluffy stray cat found in Kirkop with a four-inch jagged plastic pipe around its neck that slashed its skin and hindered its ability to eat and drink? Or the husky found abandoned on a Żurrieq cliff face with a 30-foot rope tied around its neck. And, more recently, the three Pharaoh hounds discovered floating in the sea tied at the neck.

The stories of many other animals cruelly harmed by humans remain untold because the media was not around, because somebody conveniently chose to turn a blind eye or else because the barbaric act was well hidden.

Animal cruelty will continue as long as human nature remains what it is: able to be as caring as it can be brutal.

Education is crucial and parents and schools must underline the need of treating animals well, the same way they teach respect towards society and the elderly.

Giving a helping hand to animal sanctuaries whose resources are stretched or adopting an abandoned dog or cat is also useful, especially because the problem of stray animals in Malta persists.

The authorities, which over the past decade have done a lot to pass laws, set up the Ta’ Qali’s animal welfare centre, introduce the animal ambulance service and, more recently, introduced compulsory microchipping for all dogs, should ensure no stone is left unturned to avoid animal cruelty and severely punish offenders.

Star’s story will sadly not be the last one of cruelty but, at least, it has helped mobilise thousands who have for too many years ignored the problem of animal cruelty.

This energy and fervour to bring about change should not be allowed to die with Star.