Shot dog's owner says dog had gone missing
The owner of the dog that was shot in the back and was found by Animal Welfare Department officers in Siggiewi last Monday has been to the San Frangisk Animal Hospital to enquire about the animal.
The dog, its owner said, had gone missing a day before it was shot.
Veterinarian Trevor Zammit said the dog is in a stable condition.
The tal-kaċċa dog is being cared for at the San Frangisk Animal Hospital and has started to eat and drink. It is still too early to know whether the dog would be able to walk normally.
Dr Zammit said when asked that quite a few dogs were taken to the hospital with gun shot wounds but not all were cases of cruelty.
Some dogs were shot accidentally while hunting for quail, which was a low flying bird.
The police are always informed whenever a shot dog, even if this was the result of an accident, is admitted at San Frangisk. This is also the case for animal victims of other cruelty.
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A. Bugeja
Oct 21st 2011, 02:00
if as the owner said the dog had gone missing i hope he will move heaven and earth to try to find the culprit and also wont mind paying more than 50 euros for well being of his dog... I just hope the dog will fully recover this time
Ms maria bonnici
Oct 20th 2011, 20:00
at aristide galea!!! because hunters shoot so low on quails as stated up here that they shoot dogs accidentaly, sometimes unknowingly and leave the dog in pain or until someone finds it!!! that is why i would ban hunting! its a crazy game played by crazy people
M. Cardona
Oct 21st 2011, 09:27
Ms Bonnici, in your haste you are entirely misconceived. If you had read properly and not surgically and selectively dissecting to fit your opinion, you would have noted; "Dr Zammit said when asked that quite a few dogs were taken to the hospital with gun shot wounds but not all were cases of cruelty."
If as you maintain these dogs were left in pain, then that would have classified as animal cruelty.
Ms Bonnici rest assured that hunters love their dogs. My dogs are my hunting companions who share in my pleasures and disappointments. Do you really think I'd wilfully hurt my best buddies? Get off your high cloud sinjura.
I concur that there are crazy people playing crazy games. One such game is making misconceived assertions without any substantiation.
hugh jars
Oct 20th 2011, 11:29
Nadya Zammit
Police officers get paid to do a job. If they get hurt so be it. They can defend themselves, animals can't!!!!!
lyn nobbs
Oct 20th 2011, 11:12
Please accept my sincere apologies for upsettting so many people.I wrote a knee jerk reaction to this news ,following the dog nailed to a door. I love Malta and have received much kindness from you as I visit several times a year. Please don't stop reporting these events as it makes us all aware and hopefully encourage more things to be done in educating people.Unfortunately this sort of thing happens everywhere and the need for organisations such as PDSA and RSPCA help enormously.
George Smith
Oct 20th 2011, 08:17
We have only one Animal Hospital on this Island and we must be proud of it. What is going on! Is it true what @ Maria Sammut wrote “I read on the Sunday Times that there are orders from the Animal Welfare department that if the expense is over 50 Euros the dog is put down “Please confirm this, it is very BAD news! If this is true it's absolutely shameful. In England there are Animal Hospitals called PDSA. They keep this hospital running by sponsors and charity plus most of the vet work some time for free. Those who have injured pets and have less income or out of work gave a donation not less than 20 pounds for pills and operations and medical test. Please view the website
http://www.pdsa.org.uk/
Why we do not have something similar like this?
Ms maria bonnici
Oct 19th 2011, 22:13
now as maria sammut said about this news, it is very BAD news! It is so very expensive to take your pet there at the clinic so.................................................we want the truth out! can you please point out where on the times it is stated
Maria Sammut
Oct 20th 2011, 06:35
Check out this article http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20111016/local/Pet-was-killed-by-welfare-centre-family-claims.389290 What are 50 euros (LM20), how can an animal be cured with so little but that's what the government is offering so not giving a second chance, maybe to be adopted, to these unfortunate animals. Apparently, they don't even give time for its owner, if the have any, to claim them. As in the case of this cat. What is really happening?
Gerry Cowie
Oct 19th 2011, 20:02
So as yet nobody knows if this was an accident or deliberate. And already the condemnation and the heavy handed "animals are more important than humans" brigade are up in arms without knowing the facts. Some of the language used is frightening and really ignorant. Just get a sense of proportion putting the mouth into gear, some people!
Maria Sammut
Oct 19th 2011, 19:42
Now the dog's condition will worsen and dies, wait and see. I read on the Sunday Times that there are orders from the Animal Welfare department that if the expense is over 50 euros the dog is put down. I wonder how many stray dogs are coming out alive from San Frangisk then. What is the real truth? Are these people working for the well being of animals or have they got orders from above to dispose off all strays? If this is true it's absolutely shameful.
Mr Stephen Farrugia
Oct 19th 2011, 15:57
Keep on publishing news on animal cruelty, and more will appear... I BLAME THE NEWS!
M. Bezzina
Oct 19th 2011, 21:28
u r right
Ms maria bonnici
Oct 19th 2011, 15:13
so alas! ban hunting!!!!! once and for all
Aristide Galea
Oct 19th 2011, 16:02
Ms. Bonnici , What's hunting got to do with this ? I don't think that the person ( if you can call him a person ) who have this was doghunting , do you ?
Vanessa Attard
Oct 19th 2011, 16:38
I fully agree with you Ms Bonnici !!
But I ask....how come his"owner" didn't report to the authorities/ animal welfare about his missing dog!? and is speaking only now that the dog has been found .....it's a bit confusing eh!??
T Gauci
Oct 19th 2011, 14:02
In Soviet Russia, Dogs shoot you!
Ms Maria Vella
Oct 19th 2011, 13:54
so now not only birds are being shot but also dogs, just for the pure enjoyment of a barbaric sport.......
LOUIS JOSEPH BORG
Oct 19th 2011, 13:40
it is not rare among rural people to kill thier own dogs when aged or to sick also anyone can have his own dog put down old or young, sick or healthy1
Marthese Formosa
Oct 19th 2011, 22:01
That is definitely not true. It is illegal to have a dog or cat put down unless seriously ill in Malta. Now, if there are vets that do that... they are breaking the law.
Gillian Snook
Oct 20th 2011, 17:03
Marthese is right. My 13 yr old dog was very poorly and after much soul searching I decided the best thing for him (not me) was to put him to sleep. I had to really state my case before the vet would follow my wishes. It was heart breaking.
Michael Camileri
Oct 19th 2011, 13:26
Sorry, but if dogs can be shot accidentally...members of the public like me can be shot.
I go to the fields in selmun and often see hunters walking around... At times im afraid to go to the fields I pay rent for.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Oct 19th 2011, 13:15
Lyn Nobbs, your comment is disgusting, shameful and presumptuous!! I do not know which country you come for. Maybe you should let us know and I will present you with the shameful acts taking place there. The majority of the Maltese adore their dogs. I assure you, we treat our dogs better than the way certain foreigners treat their children!! I pity you, Madam!!!!!!!
Asta Peterson
Oct 19th 2011, 12:58
I just love how the Maltese forever have an excuse or a likly story, ohhhhh,,,what a coincidence eh, what if he was shot first then when missing?
Victor Laiviera
Oct 19th 2011, 14:00
1) Why do you say just "the Maltese"? I assume that you have made a deep and thorough study among various nations to determine the relative frequency?
2) Unless you have a good a d sufficient reason, you have no right to accuse this man of lying. If I were him, I would sue you.
J Farrugia
Oct 19th 2011, 15:21
Leave the ''Maltese'' part out, every national has an excuse or likely story when there back's against a wall, so stop being pedantic. Besides he could be telling the truth. Whatever i hope the dog gets well soon.
George Smith
Oct 19th 2011, 12:47
“A wave of animal cruelty cases swept the island this summer”
Sadly we keep hearing these horror stories only because we have no harsh penalties and so this goes on and on. A bad name for Malta. There should be no mercy from the courts. The law should make NO distinction between people with mental problems or normal. You break the law for whatever reason and you should be made to suffer the consciences, same for everyone. Animals don’t have a voice, but they have the law. Really hope the law is strong and the courts remain strong about these murders on animals. Please take Notice!! We all need harsh penalties and make justice to be done.
Thanks for Animal Welfare, police and all the people who are involved to help this innocent animals.
Natasha Darmanin
Oct 19th 2011, 12:32
The media should not "hype" such stories because cowards out there portray these dreadful acts as their ticket to 5 minutes of fame.
Albert Ostimani
Oct 19th 2011, 12:02
There seems to be someone who really doesn't like dogs...h/she should be shot or hanged or whatever when found.
Louis Galea
Oct 19th 2011, 13:07
Are you still living in the Middle Ages Mr Ostimani? ..."should be shot or hanged" Don't you think you're being a little bit over the board with such statements or do you embrace islamic shariya law?
I, for one, agree that these idiots should get what they deserve but to shoot them or hang them!!!!!
Lawrence Attard
Oct 19th 2011, 11:55
Like most Maltese people, I totally agree with your strong sentiment and anger at such crimes. Words don't begin to express what I feel when I read these, and as the comments show, so many others feels the same way. But I strongly disagree with your attitude and inference that the entire country is to blame, any more than we can blame for example the entire people of the UK for the frequent stabbings in London, or the pitiful sentences often handed out for crimes in the British courts (which often also happens here). Can we really decide the civilisation level of countries and their people as a whole by their newspaper reports? What would affect our economy is not so much these crimes, which let's face it happen everywhere (if not to animals, to people) but biased and unfair attitudes. The comment that we are turning a blind eye is equally unjustifed, and if you search this site you will see that the last person caught killing a dog got a good fine and jail sentence too, as did the one before him. Even hunters caught shooting protected birds are nowadays getting p[rison sentences and thousands of euros from their pocket. This is something we all applaud here, as I'm sure you do too. What can I say, every country has its lowlifes - yours, mine and every other patch of land on this earth.
It is good to express our feelings towards these crimes and all do what we can to help prevent or catch such crimes, educate people and influence stricter enforcement and legislation where necessary, but definitely let's do this in a positive manner please.
Edward Hughes
Oct 19th 2011, 11:44
have these people have no heart? why is this becoming such a "boom" at the moment. this is happening at least once a week now. this cruelty is really un-justified.
Mark Zammit
Oct 19th 2011, 11:35
ARE WE SERIOUS!!!!!??????!!! Next culprit caught MUST be made an example for all ... hefty fine + a long term jail sentence, or I fear these crimes are gonna keep getting worse!!
Dylan Axisa
Oct 19th 2011, 12:25
agreed
Neville Zammit
Oct 19th 2011, 12:44
Agree agree!!!
Kevin Camilleri
Oct 19th 2011, 11:30
I personally don't think that this place is getting sicker or worse. Before a year / two / three / five / ten / fifty years ago these things did happen, only that they were not reported in the press and people just did not know about them. Now they are being reported and people get to know.
This does not mean that what is being reported is not something terrible and yes penalties should be harsher especially if who does cruel acts on animals knows what he is doing and does this just for fun.
charles tabone
Oct 19th 2011, 11:21
We used to say "Adog is man's best friend", now it has turned out that "Man is a dog's most feared enemy". These last revolting crimes on the defenceless animals are a shame to man who is considered as the sociable animal.
M Cassar
Oct 19th 2011, 14:25
Please lets not be so dramatic and generalize....there are some people who do terrible crimes and must be caught and punished but talking about 'man' in the collective is going too far. It is after all because there are humans who recognize that cruelty is wrong that awareness is being raised and pressure is being exerted so that laws address the problem. Lets not put everyone in the same bag please! WE are not the enemy of our dog or anyone else's. I am sure that many others love animals as well.
Brian Gatt
Oct 19th 2011, 11:16
I Vote to give the same treatment the animal has suffered to its perpetrator before sending him to prison !!
charles tabone
Oct 19th 2011, 11:13
Legislation should enforce that ALL dogs be registered as pets, guides or guards on premises.with an official microchip. This will deter the heartless criminals to stop such heinous crimes.
lyn nobbs
Oct 19th 2011, 11:08
What is happening in Malta! Your treatment of animals has never been good but this is becoming awful. Show some respect for Gods creatures. You claim to be a Christian country well you christians do something about it , report those that commit these crimes, YES CRIMES, instead of turning a blind eye.I agree with the comment about the way you treat animals shows the world how civilised you are. This is being reported abroad and is sure to put many people off from coming to Malta and in turn will affect the econmy.
Mr C Camilleri
Oct 19th 2011, 11:27
Hey you ... how dare you accuse US MALTESE ? There are savages all over the world. I dont know what country YOU claim to be in but if you dont like our country then go back to yours. I have a dog and i do not even think of mistreating it in such ways. And where I work we even collect money to help animals not to mention some of my colleagues that have adopted over 5 cats to save them from cruelty.
Mr Carlo Buttigieg
Oct 19th 2011, 11:27
Ms Nobbs. I find it very offensive that you should generalise and say that this is "the Maltese people". I read the British papers every day and there are murders, child abuse and other atrocities on every page but that does not make the British people in general to be a bunch of murderers or pedophiles. The Maltese public in general love animals more than you can ever imagine and wouldn't even think about hurting a stray let alone a pet. The only animal I would think of hurting is the man or woman that tries to hurt my pets. They are part of my family and are treated as such. We even joke at home cause i tell my wife that the dogs are treated better than i am. This is the work of sick minds and hopefully the perpetrators will get caught, same as they did before.
Mark Tagliaferro
Oct 19th 2011, 11:27
Nothing is happening to Malta. It has always been like this.
Animal abuse has been going on for a very long time. Illegal dog and other animals fights. Abuse by people for 'fun' or just because they don't want to keep the animal anymore.
The only thing that is happening is that thank God we finally have an Animal Welfare Department and these things are being reported and brought to the attention of everyone. What before was only known by the people who witnessed it and those they maybe told, is now being rightfully splashed in the media.
Maybe, now things will start to happen. We've already seen stiffer fines and jail terms for animal abuse cases. Maybe we need better education on animal welfare because what is supposed to be obvious apparently isn't.
Let's hope that things continue to move in the right direction.
Louis Galea
Oct 19th 2011, 11:29
Dear Mr Nobbs
Whose turning a blind eye? Do you really believe that all the Maltese are barbarics? It is true that we are ashamed of these few idiots who are commiting these wrong doings, but please do NOT judge the rest of the Maltese as such. Yes we are Christians by majority and we're proud of this too.
Perhaps the country from where you come from has legalised abortion! How's that for cruelty, killing an innocent child in his own mother's womb? At least in Malta abortion is still a crime and punishable by law.
S Scicluna
Oct 19th 2011, 12:02
Ms. Lyn Nobbs, it is these harsh acts that are finally being reported in the press, bringing more awareness whereas in past times, these barbarbic acts were not reprorted.... However, there are Maltese people who are civilised and love animals and keep a low profile when helping animals in need. I know alot of people who take in abandoned animals, be it cats and dogs and feed stray cats all over the Island.... volunteer in Charity shops, shop from charity shops, carry dried food in their cats and spay strays... I do not know where you come from... however abuse is reported all over in the UK too which is also a european country and predominatly Christian.
Dylan Axisa
Oct 19th 2011, 12:05
So you are thinking that we are all animal killers?! You actually think that we turn a blind eye on these things? You also think that if we saw the person shooting the dog.. we would actually let him do that?! How can you be so stupid?! Why didn't you also say that we make a party afterwards and celebrate the death of an innocent animal?!
I am seriously offended by your stupid comment and I know that many good-hearted people are hurt as well. I myself am an animal rights activist!! I participate in rallies.. I have got a multitude of friends who are activists!! I always try to find homes for any stray animals I come across and I also feed the stray animals who already have a stray family. I always take any injured animals I find to my personal veterinary so that they can be properly healed!! Do you realize that I spend my own money on them because nobody can help them if we don't?! My own cat was a stray!! I can't keep more animals with me because my home is not my own.
You see?! I AM A GOOD PERSON!! So seriously, you must think before talking stupidity! We activists know that these are crimes. Everybody knows that these are crimes!! But you talking about a whole population like this.. That is a serious offence.. Did you even think that you may be affecting activists that see your comment? They could be demoralised by your comments!! So, for the sake of all animals control your tongue!
These comments should be used to spread information or thoughts about how a situation may be fixed!! So please, next time, give us an option on how to ACTUALLY FIX this problem, and do not spread wrong information about the people of Malta. You know, somebody might believe you!!
ANYWAY, WE ARE NOT BAD PEOPLE!! I, IN FACT, HAVE A HUGE HEART!!
Thanks for reading the comment & keep on loving! ;)
Joseph M Scicluna
Oct 19th 2011, 13:13
To Lyn Nobbs:-
The more I know people using a logic like yours, the more I love my dog.
Ruth MIZZI
Oct 19th 2011, 16:09
Ms NOBBS, just for info ... last week an airtight bag with six cute little kittens inside it, was abandoned on a highway in the UK !!!! So think WOMAN, before you spit trash at us Maltesers ... !!
Neil Collins
Oct 19th 2011, 11:07
This is another sad story about animal cruelty. To know this goes on in the world is heart breaking, especially in Malta. But I know the Maltese are good people. Rise above it and if you know anybody who mistreats animals then report them.
Joanna Dimech
Oct 19th 2011, 11:03
The people that carry out these cruel and barbaric acts are complete BASTARDS and need to be treated the same way as the animals they have done wrong to. My full support to the rescue teams and get well soon little four legged friend.
Richard Zammit
Oct 19th 2011, 10:56
this place is getting sicker by the minute
David Caruana
Oct 19th 2011, 10:50
A man throws a dog in a skip and gets 9 months imprisonment + a massive fine. Shouldn't those caught shooting protected birds be treated in the same manner?
M. Cardona
Oct 19th 2011, 11:20
For your kind information, in at least two recent cases they were actually meted much much worse. If I were you I would refrain from making unqualified comments to build a comparison. In Maltese we have a saying; "il-paraguni odjuzi" ie comparisons are odious and may I add equally so those who seek to make spiteful ones. Now creep back where you belong Sur Caruana.
Kevin Formosa
Oct 19th 2011, 11:26
Forsi l-artiklu fuq il- KLIEB jittratta??? X'ghandhom x'jaqsmu l-aghsafar?? U min joqtol nemusa, dubbiena etc etc???
Kevin Formosa
Oct 19th 2011, 11:28
Forsi l-artiklu qed jitratta KLIEB mahqurin ricentament!!?? Kif dahhalt l-aghsafar?? Allura nistghu nzidu in-nemus, il-wirdien, id-dubbien u lista ma tispiccax!! Hallina DC
Nadya Zammit
Oct 19th 2011, 11:43
What about those who hurt police officers? Don't they deserve to be punished too? It seems that lately people only talk about animals and how badly they are treated when the police officers are there to help US and noone cares. They deserve much much more!!!
David Caruana
Oct 19th 2011, 12:33
@ Nadya:
Of course whoever hurts a police officer or any other human being should be punished. No doubt about that.
Formosa + Cardona:
I'm talking about PROTECTED birds! You were too quick to defend POACHERS. I'm talking about poachers and not hunters (playing your own linguistic game here)
Flies and mosquitos are NOT protected by law. Dogs and certain birds are protected by law and if a person is given 9 months imprisonment and a hefty fine for maltreating and killing a dog, they should get an equal if not harsher (since a bird is in the wild and therefore belongs to everyone) sentence for shooting PROTECTED birds.
Cardona, you know who creeps hux? Especially when ALE officers are around ;-)
M. Cardona
Oct 19th 2011, 13:37
Caruana,
and yet you persisted with making comparisons when none exist and once more failed to check before you made further assertions. Guess it all lies with creepy unsubstantiated argumentations.
Caruana, you know who digs deep hux? Especially when BS flies :-)
Mario Spiteri
Oct 19th 2011, 10:47
The more such sad news is splayed over the media, the more we find cowards, who, just to justify the air they waste when breathing, do such acts to enjoy watching their misdeeds on the media.
John Xuereb
Oct 19th 2011, 10:45
is there any cruel competition going on?!?!
ramona zerafa
Oct 19th 2011, 10:42
Get well soon poor dog and well done to the rescue team... a very fulfilling and great job!
joanne pace
Oct 19th 2011, 10:38
This is a campaign against the micro-chipping law, All those that organize dog fights are behind this, spate of animal abuse, that's my opinion.
Claire Busuttil
Oct 19th 2011, 10:33
JUSTICE is requested!
Mr A Grech
Oct 19th 2011, 10:15
............. are you serious?
Marina Ciarlo'
Oct 19th 2011, 10:14
A wise person once said that the degree of a country's civilisation is measured by the way it treats animals. Are we regressing in Malta then, or are these people giving all us law abiding and animal loving citizens a bad name? Isn't it bad enough we ended up on foreign tabloids and media in the Star case? These people are not a bunch of psychos, they are cruel, calculating and premeditating CRIMINALS. Enforcement of our poor laws is necessary, making them stricter is VITAL.
hugh jars
Oct 19th 2011, 10:45
what laws? do as you want here, that is how malta is known in other countries, shame
Mr Ernest Vella
Oct 19th 2011, 11:01
why be ashamed of....we tolerate the killing of children in there mother's womb why shall we be ashamed of treat animals in this way. I respect animals but in a society were most eu countries have abortion as a law
Louis Galea
Oct 19th 2011, 11:37
@ Hugh Jars
Rest assure that we do have laws in Malta as much as you have from where you come from. Please do not make such absurd judgments about our Country. Just dare to do what YOU want and see if we have laws or not. Just because you're living/staying here does not entitle you to speak bad of our Country. I'm sure you have similar idiots from where you come from too.
Dylan Axisa
Oct 19th 2011, 12:38
@ Louis Galea
Hahha!! Well said.. most people just speak! and you cannot do that unless you actually know what you are talking about.. Anyway, law is being enforced where previously it wasn't.. In this particular case it is a huge step forward for animals' sake! I love this! Perhaps they can finally rest easy! I will rest easy as well afterwards.
Keep on Loving!! ;)
Peter Murray
Oct 19th 2011, 10:05
Another coward wthin our midst -shooting a defenceless dog and in the back.Heaven help us!
hugh jars
Oct 19th 2011, 10:46
who is next, dog or human. nobody will be done for this as usual