Karen Tanti, Moviment Graffitti, Dingli
Animal cruelty can never be justified
A zebra, christened Agostino, was born on August 3 at the Monte Kristo estates. The centre, which takes care of Agostino and many other animals including the newborn zebra’s parents, stated that one of the adult zebras was rescued from an animal circus in Naples and the other from a zoo in the Netherlands. It is cruelly ironic that the adult zebra’s offspring has now been born into captivity, especially since the centre has plans for making the animal enclosure into a public attraction.
Moviment Graffitti condemns the captivity of animals for public entertainment and cannot show sympathy with the people involved with the birth of this zebra. It is also important to mention the underlying issues behind this event. Moviment Graffitti condemns the fact that exotic animals are brought in from abroad, only to result in the breeding of that animal, leading to its inevitable confinement. Zebras, and other exotic animals from foreign countries, are not adapted to living in Malta due to limited space, climate and many other factors.
Thus, Moviment Graffitti cannot support the breeding of these animals because of the negative consequences tied to this act.
Although this is not a blatant case of animal cruelty, it is still important to take into consideration the negative repercussions of this situation. In a related note, the classification of what constitutes as animal cruelty seems to be quite blurred in Malta. According to Maltese law, the hunting and shooting of birds is not considered as animal cruelty. However, one must remember that these birds are still suffering, even if it is not seen as so in the eyes of the law.
There are many factors which amount to animal cruelty and we believe that any cruelty to animals is wrong, whether it is done intentionally or not.
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Ms Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Aug 18th 2011, 19:24
C Mallia, as always, you have not! Keep on dreaming, as usual!
As for the other comment in reply to mine, it simply does not deserve an answer!
Kenneth Cassar
Aug 19th 2011, 07:58
My comment does not require an answer. It is self-explanatory, and the question was rhetorical. I assumed you understood that much.
Kenneth Cassar
Aug 19th 2011, 08:07
"Rhetorical question" definition:
A question asked merely for effect with no answer expected. The answer may be obvious or immediately provided by the questioner.
http://grammar.about.com/od/rs/g/rhetquesterm.htm
Franco Farrugia
Aug 23rd 2011, 12:32
How arrogant, I must say. This woman will go to no end in order to try and draw hunting and trapping as having nothing to do with cruelty to animals. Of course it is cruelty to animals!
Joseph Sammut
Aug 18th 2011, 07:30
It's been so many years now that exotic animals have been imported legally or illegally into Malta. One example is the goana. I was at a shop once where there was a fairly large gauna in an aquarium like thing (without water of course) and which at the time was being fed live mice - I was disgusted at the "show" and vowed to never enter that shop again. One hears of snakes, lizards, husky dogs. Where were you Graffiti? Why pick on Agostino? If Agostino happened to be born in the wild, I would probably only be able to see it on Discovery channel that is unless it is not killed/eaten by cheetahs or lions. Like this, Agostino will equally enjoy being admired by hundreds of children while being well fed and kept. Don't you think that Agostino will not sense this?
Ms Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Aug 17th 2011, 17:52
"According to Maltese law, the hunting and shooting of birds is not considered as animal cruelty." Are you trying to be deceitful, Moviment Graffitti? Why mentioning "Maltese law"? You are fully aware that hunting is legal in all countries of the world!
Kenneth Cassar
Aug 18th 2011, 07:44
Interesting. So now, in telling the truth, one is being deceitful. Why did Moviment Graffitti mention Maltese law? Hmm...tough question...is it perhaps because Moviment Graffitti is a Maltese organisation whose members live in Malta?
Mr C Mallia
Aug 18th 2011, 10:58
Legal or not...any hunting: birds, rabbit, fox, deer, elephants is animal cruelty...did I get my facts right SZD?? Not that I need you to tell me.
Ms Maria Williams
Aug 17th 2011, 10:39
. Baby animals like zebras, dolphins etc are cute. Unfortunately this cute factor is seen as a potential for making money by greedy humans. These animals were born not because of any love for the species but just as a means of income for their money grabbing owners. They are condemned to a life spent in captivity in an alien environment just to satisfy someone's lust for money. Rescuing animals from zoos and circuses and retiring them to spend the rest of their lives in better conditions is to be applauded, however the intentions behind the rescue should be examined. If the rescued animals are seen just as an investment or money making scheme, the owners are perpetuating the idea that animals are just there to be used as one would use a non-living object. Personally, I see nothing 'attractive' in viewing imprisoned animals and not only will I not visit these so-called attractions, but will do everything in my power not to put money in these people's pockets by boycotting any other business owned by them.
Joanna Farrugia
Aug 17th 2011, 09:50
A Zebra?? Game reserves in Africa have to go through rigorous standards to be given permission to keep certain animals because of space limitations ... and here we are keeping zebras? LOL And that is not mentioning the tiger that was once found in a private garage in Mosta!! For crying out loud!!