Patrick Cooke
Over 500 ‘injured strays’ put down at San Franġisk Centre
The San Frangisk centre opened its doors last year. Photo: Jason Borg
Over a quarter of the nearly 2,000 injured ‘stray’ animals taken by the Animal Ambulance to San Franġisk Animal Welfare Centre from January to September were euthanised by veterinarians, the Animal Welfare Directorate has revealed.
The directorate was responding to questions from The Sunday Times following an article last week about a family that claimed their pet Persian cat was wrongly taken to San Franġisk as a stray by the Animal Ambulance and put down before they could collect it.
The family say they were informed their cat was euthanised because it had ‘feline AIDS’, which they strongly dispute.
In the first nine months of the year, 535 of the 1,977 injured ‘strays’ taken to San Franġisk by the Animal Ambulance service were euthanised by vets, the Animal Welfare Directorate confirmed.
“The animals put to sleep are those found in worst case scenarios, such as animals found in critical condition for which no surgical intervention or other medical treatment is possible or those that have no chances of survival; for example, animals that are brain dead,” a spokesman for the directorate said.
Additionally, a significant number of animals suffering from terminal or incurable debilitating conditions have to be put down to save them from unnecessary suffering, he added.
Such animals are those suffering from painful conditions which cannot be properly alleviated through palliative care.
San Franġisk is only obliged to provide medical and treatment records of such animals to the Animal Welfare Directorate.
The family whose Persian cat was put down because of ‘feline AIDs’ insist it appeared to be healthy and did not match any of the descriptions given by the Animal Welfare Directorate spokesman.
‘Feline AIDS’ – correctly termed FIV or feline immunodeficiency virus – is incurable but treatable, and cats can live for years with the disease.
Veterinary care, including surgery for injured ‘strays’ brought by the Animal Ambulance to San Franġisk, is given free of charge, but the Animal Welfare Directorate covers the cost of medicinal treatment.
The directorate spokesman explained that San Franġisk sends a breakdown of medicinal treatment costs for each animal expected to exceed the threshold of €50.
“Some medical treatments may equate to hundreds of euros. The decision on whether the threshold is to be exceeded or not depends on the prognosis versus cost.
“For accountability and transparency purposes, all expenses concerning treatment must be shown to be cost-effective and if it is thought that the treatments will not be of any benefit to the animal, then these cases are discussed and sound veterinary advice is sought on the matter,” the spokesman said.
Decisions concerning the euthanasia of animals are always agreed upon by the warranted veterinarian treating the animal subject to approval by the Animal Welfare Directorate, the spokesman stressed.
This decision is always based on animal welfare grounds and is targeted at giving a dignified end to a terminally ill animal which is suffering from chronic pain.
“Emphasis should be placed on the fact that thousands of injured animals have been saved since the Animal Welfare Ambulance began operating” in 2009, the spokesman said.
He also confirmed that the Animal Welfare Directorate is given a copy of the medical reports of all stray injured animals taken to the San Franġisk by the Animal Ambulance.
San Franġisk in Ta’ Qali, built with €420,000 of government money according to the Animal Welfare Directorate website, was inaugurated in October 2010 as a 24-hour animal care centre. It is operated privately by Dr Zammit, who was contracted to do so by the government following a public call for applications.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Second group of migrants arrives
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
33 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Mark Vella Bardon
Oct 24th 2011, 22:29
Why 2,000 injured animals in just 9 months? Shocking!
They might have been less in number for only two reasons that I can think of:
1. If we gave up this awful habit of dumping them on the road in the first place
&
2. Had these unfortunate animals that end up distraught on our roads been picked up before being hit by traffic.
One more question, what became of the approx. 1,500 that survived, having been treated successfully for their injuries?
Finally, what was the fate of similarly injured animals before the introduction of the emergency animal ambulance 24/7! Just the thought makes one shudder!
David J. Hili
Oct 29th 2011, 23:38
My thoughts exactly! And regarding your last point... I too don't want to think how injured strays must have suffered before the introduction of the animal ambulance and even before there were any vets in Malta! Awful!
Christina Pace
Oct 24th 2011, 09:21
So obviously, it begs a the question. If you won't put Sally down, that what could possibly be the state of the animals you do put down? We've all seen the sorry state Star and Gaia were in, and you tried keeping them alive. I mean, fair enough, Star looked like she might have a fighting chance because she was walking and eating and we all appreciate the effort. But Gaia, by any measure, judging from footage of when she was found was fighting a losing battle. So how on earth can one understand the euthanisation of an apparntly healthy persian cat, with symptom free FIV, compared to the cases mentioned above? And more over how are we supposed to understand this incredible void and inconsistency when you choose to dicuss it in a language we can't understant?
Christina Pace
Oct 24th 2011, 09:14
I think this San Frangisk business was turned into a mess by whoever issued the tender.
Agreed someone should be paid to run the hospital as this would be a fultime job in itself. But I think vets from around Malta should have taken the initiative and each volunteers a few hours to make a sensible roster to medicate the injured strays. Only the ones in the paid clinic should be emplyees. And Dr Zammit, if you really must employ foreign nationals, please make sure they speak English to the clients, and don't condone their rude habits by also discussing the pet with them in whatever language that is you use. It is very rude, not to mention upsetting. When you do it, the first thing going through my head is they are discussing if my pet is terminal. They are discussing if I am taking good care of my dog. They are discussing how to make more money off my mum's very old dog before they put her down. They take my money and treat me like a joke. The only reason you would talk in a strange language is if you wanted to conceal something, and indeed I want to know everything there is to know about my pet so I can take better care of her.
Brings me to my other complaint. My Mum's dog, Sally, has heart problems and kidney problems because of her old age. This causes fluid to build up in her abdomen which causes further problems for the heart and the lungs. She taking pills for that and pees every half an hour. Now I know she is not well becasue I can see it with my own eyes. Her breathing is laboured, she even needs to be lifted to just go over the threshold from the terrace to the living room cause she can't make it on her own and you feel her shaking if you are sitting with her. My opinion was to put her down, but you keep bleeding my parent's wallet dry by upping the dose every time and refusing to put her down. They have spend over 600 euros in the last 3 months in pills, japs, vet fees and tests, while the dog is miserable because your staff preys on my parent's selfish wish to keep her alive.
Marcel Ellis
Oct 24th 2011, 08:53
To all the negative commentators below - how many of you have actually lifted a finger to help in any way? How many of you picked up a stray dog or cat and had it neutered in order to reduce the stray animals on our streets? Yes, it is a sad state of affairs that nearly 2000 strays have been picked up by the hospital, of which 500 were put down. It is even sadder when you consider the huge numbers of strays which are picked up by the various sanctuaries and SPCA. Ultimately, the only ones responsible for these numbers is every single person out there who does nothing about it and is just busy criticising. Next time you see a stray, rather than turn a blind eye, try and pick it up, have it neutered and play a small part in reducing these numbers
Christina Pace
Oct 24th 2011, 12:19
I agree that more people should pick up strays and have them eutered and spayed, especially cats as they appear to produce colonies within months. BUT the overwhelming majority of animals received by shelters aren't exactly puppies. Many strays picked up are adults. That means they were likely abandoned as adults.
As for your suggestion, people can become members of Happy Paws for 15 euros a year and will be entitled to take strays to be neutered and returned.
Mario Camilleri
Oct 24th 2011, 13:00
"Ultimately, the only ones responsible for these numbers is every single person out there who does nothing about it and is just busy criticising. Next time you see a stray, rather than turn a blind eye, try and pick it up, have it neutered and play a small part in reducing these numbers" Don't quite agree with you. Like in everything else, there are good and there are bad or rather not so good people.
I have taken in two stray dogs. They are both neutered while under my care and micro chipped. So untimely I'm now totally responsible for both their behaviour, even though I never had any intention of owning a dog. I'm very fond of them and are very well treated. They've become members in my family rather then pets. What I did although I feel I did my share, is nothing compared to those who took in 3/4/5 or more, so let's not generalize
Something I'd like to share is that I can assure everybody out there that stray dogs have more to give than puppies. They become very attached to the person who finds them and they become a good companion. Mine are an example.They've both learn't what dogs normally learn, so I'm very happy with them. The only problem I have, is that I find it hard to go somewhere and have to leave them behind. In fact I was very frustrated when by means of LN128/2009, dogs were deprived from bathing as they normally would have done.
So I pledge to those who talk against dogs, or those who want to buy a pup but keep back, to try and take in a stray rather than a pup and you will not regret any moment. Nothing will please you more! They will repay you back with their protection and love.
Jeanine Azzopardi
Oct 23rd 2011, 23:52
i wouldn't want my pet or any animal to suffer from some terminal illness, i'm sure these people do what they do with their best intentions...death is hard to accept but sometimes it's the best thing we can do for someone or in this case something. it is unfair to keep a pet alive and terminally ill just because we are attached to them, that only shows egoism rather than love.
ps. had the family taken proper care of their cat it wouldn't have been mistaken fora stray, persians are not exactly the most active cats around so i find it quite strange that it was running in the streets. it could have been hit by a car, attacked by a dog...or a heartless individual. as always it's very easy to point fingers, but really who is really responsible for its death? i wouldn't let my pets outside unwatched, it's already painful to see strays suffer from such deaths.
Liam Kelly
Oct 23rd 2011, 22:31
So what exactly is the difference between 'medical treatment' and Veterinary care, including surgery'? Seems a bit ambiguous there.
Ruth Seychell
Oct 23rd 2011, 19:34
Can anyone tell me how come the threshold of the treatment is 50 euros.
No wonder so many stray animals are euthanised.......
Ms.D. Galea
Oct 23rd 2011, 19:00
I wonder if San Francis would have approved of this high number of animals requiring euthanasia.
Maria Sammut
Oct 23rd 2011, 18:55
500 were put down which for me is a lot and what happened to the other 1500??? As far as I know there's no sanctuary or Animal Welfare at Ghammieri are sheltering so many animals. I don't think that most of them were home, either.
Christina Pace
Oct 24th 2011, 08:53
That is the first thaughtful sensical comment I have seen. A very good question because other sanctuaries hold on average 150 animals at any given time. Any more animals would either mean overcrowding or underfeeding due to limited premises or resouces. So there's AAA, Noah's Arc, Island Sanctuary, SPCA and lets say there's another which right now I cannot remember. That's an average 600 animals. And I know personally that the flow of homed animals vs incoming strays is not so that one shelter kan keep 1,500 in one year. So yeah, we want to know what happened to those 1,500 animals.
I Bugeja
Oct 24th 2011, 08:55
good point
Pule' Carmel
Oct 23rd 2011, 18:39
Considering the fact that in Malta we have such dense built up areas, would statistics and facts show that irresponsible artificial and natural breeding and lack of spaying/neutering causes pets to be euthanized.
And it is fair to neuter animals for our selfishness after we robbed them of their natural habitat and way of life?
I do not wish to hear the opinion of humans keeping pets, but I would like to hear the opinion of the pets awainting to be neutralised and held in captivity, somewhat like humans have been made to do philosopically speaking at least, in a city, and small flats and narrow streets, and we believe we are better off! Come on if humans now seek the company of animals to get them out of their misery, then something have gone wrong with humanity! and in our desperation we focus on cloudy emotional issues as people saying , " if there is no heaven for my dog then there is no God for me" and so human emotions are played about with as music and other form of entertainment and a good drink often do to us.
We are imperfect chained humans after all, and animals have to come in as slaves in assisting to correct our imperfections and lonliness brought about by our own stupidities!
Mandy O'Dea
Oct 23rd 2011, 18:39
I'm quite curious about San Frangisk actually! A few months back I called during a week end to enquire about medicines to give to kittens I kept at home who were infested with worms. I was told to bring them over. Considering that I had six of them I enquired about the cost. I was told that they were not allowed to mention prices over the phone. Charging more than they're supposed to ???
Claire Busuttil
Oct 24th 2011, 09:39
yes, it happend to me also. San Frangisk, is a quite expensive centre, but then again, being an animal lover, I would prefer having the option and the opportunity to take my loved ones, at the centre if an emergency crops up, and my vet is not available. So over all, it is good to have this centre.
Monica Muscat
Oct 23rd 2011, 18:30
Sorry to admit this, but too many unhappy and shaddy stories have been going round for anyonw in his right senses not to think that "where there is smoke, there has been fire"!. I seem to recall that the "nice happy-ending" tails are of people who paid well (too well, I dare say), for treatment of their pets, and made sure not to let their cats out of their sights! Really, having to put down 500 pets in one year seems much to much.
I would give a word of advice to the authorities who supervise this Clinic. Order some random otopsies on animals or strays put down, carried out by an independent qualified board and in the presence of a representive of the clinic. Leave no space for "ifs" and "buts"! And let the animal lovers come to just conclusion.
Claire Busuttil
Oct 24th 2011, 09:41
If a living thing is suffering, it deserves to make it`s suffering to an end. Sometimes, death is the end of suffering.
I just hope that it could be applied also to humans.
Mario Pisani
Oct 23rd 2011, 18:24
First of all, I would like to congratulate the Animal Welfare Department for their hard work every single day, all year round.
Secondly, I would also like to comment on this article feature by Mr Cooke. Although it must be correct that 500 of 2000 animals were put down, in my opinion he failed to highlight the fact that these 2,000 animals collected by the 24/7 Ambulance are many a times animals which are badly injured. I know this because I have called the Ambulance around 3 months ago because there were some strays in the area I live in - I was told that the ambulance does not collect strays, but INJURED strays.
So, in my opinion, the author has set a negative bias on this feature and this is not fair. If he wanted to have a positive tone to the story, he would have set a title on the lines of "Three in every four injured strays taken to San frangisk centre saved and rehabilitated."
Mario Pisani
animal lover
Claire Busuttil
Oct 24th 2011, 09:46
Regarding the Animal Welfare Dept. the staff are really nice, and they are true animal lovers. When you ask for their help, they will do thier utmost.
However I cannot really understand their policy, in dealing ONLY with injured animals. If you find a young puppy, or kitten alone someone, and risking to die with the cold and hunger, the AWD are not responsible for that. I do not think that this makes any sense at all.
Their policy should be amended, to deal with animal welfare in general, not only when there is injury.
melvin cachia
Oct 23rd 2011, 17:28
I agree with Mr. Wayne Scicluna down here....it seems that this country is more generous with humans
and sees animals as lesser beings....and this comes out also when ISTRINA is held every year, where millions of euros are collected but not a single euro is destined to go to any sanctuary or NGO for helping animals. Some organisations used to be partly included for a very small share from Istrina in the past, but recently it seems that Community Chest Fund is totally and exclusively to humans beings and not a single cent is to be used to help our strays who are living in our country and are also MALTESE AS US ALL !
Mela skuzi ta'....biex nghinu lill-Libjani, lill-Klandestini, lill-Griegi, etc....hemm isib flus il-gvern, imma ghal hlejqiet li jghixu fuq l-istess gzira bhalna, BI DRITT GHAX HUMA MALTIN BHALNA....ghal dawk...LE....il-gvern ma jsibx fondi serji u bizzejjed biex jikkurhom...sa €50 biss jaffordja l-gvern ghal kull stray....ara b'€50 x'se tikkura !!! Eh kont insejt imma li l-istrays u l-annimal M'GHANDHOMX VOTI....mela nothing lost jahseb il-gvern....but WE - ANIMAL LOVERS WILL USE OUR VOTES ACCORDING TO WHAT WE WERE PROMISED AND EXPECTED, AND TO WHAT IT WAS DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNMENT !! SHAME ON THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT AND ON SAN FRANGISK HOSPITAL....WHO IS NOT A PUBLIC / GOVERMENTAL HOSPITAL AS IT WAS PROMISED....BUT A PRIVATE CLINIC OWNED AND DIRECTED BY A SINGLE VET DR. TREVOR ZAMMIT WHO TURNED TO BE A MONEY MACHINE FOR HIM AND HIS UNPROFESSIONAL STAFF!!
Maria Sammut
Oct 23rd 2011, 19:22
Prosit Melvin. Very well said. Animals don't have a vote but we animal lovers who USED to vote for the present government surely know who we won't vote this time.
Mr Joe Camilleri
Oct 23rd 2011, 20:44
Ibda inti Melvin, minnflok titma lill uliedek, itma lill annimali
S Atkins
Oct 23rd 2011, 23:06
Good point. I would like to know how come none of the 'miljun' goes to strays. I donate to Noah's Ark every now and then but in my opinion the government should be a bit more generous with those who cannot speak up for their rights.
Mario Camilleri
Oct 24th 2011, 08:47
Very well said Melvin, although animals especially dogs don't have VOTES, but WE DO and we can do that on their behalf.
As for the San Fraġisk Animal Hospital in Ta'Qali I have never experienced it, but heard stories of animals put down even though they were micro chipped and the phenomenal expenses of medical care and although hear say, I now tend to believe them.
Claire Busuttil
Oct 24th 2011, 09:36
@melvin ...well said. This government is doing whatever it takes to please foreign countries.....and is less looking at Maltese needs, being animals or humans......(extreme lack of some vital medicine)
@Camilleri......kelma wahda nighdlek....tkunx VOJT.
Ms Sylvia Zammit
Oct 23rd 2011, 10:44
500 sounds like a lot to me - but I do understand that most of the injured strays have been in car accidents, and most of the time nothing else can be done for them. I do hope these 'strays' - which may well be lost pets, or pets allowed out on their own-are scanned for a microchip. Injured animals can't wait around, so immediate action must be taken.When it comes to cats and dogs that test positive for certain incurable diseases though, I think they should not be euthanised before their owners - if they have owners-are given a decent chance to reclaim them, and to make the decision themselves.
Well Done to all for helping out -it is so distressing to hear about injured strays, and to be unable to help. The AWD has filled a great need. I wonder - could Centru San Frangisk set up a FB page or something similar with photos of the pets brought in that particular day? When someone calls the Island Sanctuary about a missing pet, we always advise them to check with other associations, AWD and Centru San Frangisk. Sometimes, though, a telephone call is not enough.....
George Smith
Oct 23rd 2011, 07:37
We have only one Animal Hospital on this Island and we must be proud of it. In England there are Animal Hospitals called PDSA. They keep the hospitals running by sponsors and charity plus most of the private vets work some hours 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?
wayne scicluna
Oct 23rd 2011, 10:18
Mr. Smith, we do not have this because the average maltese citizen is generous with humans but sees animals as lesser beings. But thanks to this article, I now know where NOT to take my pets.
Ashley Cumbo
Oct 23rd 2011, 20:33
Just answering your question, I guess it is too hefty a job to run such an organisation for someone without the real will to do so!! I do agree, and considering it was the year dedicated to voluntary work, would have been a wonderful idea.
Mr R.E. Saliba
Oct 24th 2011, 08:37
@ Wayne Scicluna
Since when are animals on par with humans?
I love animals and have 3 dogs but God forbid I place them on the same level as humans.
Have you any idea how many Maltese are not given the optimum care or even die because they cannot afford their medications? Pay a visit to oncology wards and you'll be shocked.
Kurt Mifsud
Oct 24th 2011, 11:44
Mr Smith - Proud of what? You're sure this is an animal hospital? The vet operating there was given this location to work there, and from our taxes! He's doing so well now (financially) that he even shut down his previous private clinic. Go have a look at animal welfare centre in Qormi. What welfare? It's just a pig farm! No records on the dogs, no sandfly collars, no treatments. My dog would have been dead by months if I hadn't brought him from there.
Is this the best the government can do? Then I'm not impressed. However I am very impressed with the 500eur per week he had to give as a gift to himself and his close friends. I do give donations to private sanctuaries but I don't even dream of giving a donation to animal welfare. I bet it will go in some big head's pockets!