Starving dog rescued at Il-Maqluba
A dog that was left to die at il-Maqluba, limits of Qrendi, has been rescued by Abandoned Animals Association volunteers.
The dog was found starving in the 15-metre deep crater-like structure after AAA received reports and investigated.
The volunteers climb down into the crater and the dog went to the rescuers, who immediately named her Thumbelina.
It was severely emaciated and its bones were protruding.
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76 Comments
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maria borg
Nov 30th 2012, 19:31
although this dog passed from a very hard time,still greeted the rescuers ,what a sweet dog
may she find a loving home soon
thanks a lot to the AAA team may god bless you and reward you for all the good work you do
please everyone try send an sms and donate,that small amount of money won`t make a difference to you but will make difference to the dogs at AAA
Victor Pulis
Nov 30th 2012, 15:49
Gerry Cowie It may surprise you to know that there are some people who are capable of caring for animals as well as people.
Ruth Schembri
Nov 30th 2012, 13:23
Speechless! Amazing! I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Karl von Brockdorff
Nov 30th 2012, 11:06
How refreshing to get some good news..
JOSEPH ZAMMIT
Nov 30th 2012, 10:43
well done to all involved and thank you TOM.
Alexandra MalliaBorg
Nov 30th 2012, 10:42
Glad to read that the dog is doing fine, well done to the team, i also like the song it goes well with the arrangment of the video, actually a realtion of mine have read and seen the video way over in Newfoundland Canada, cause natually alot of Maltese read the Times, its very important for us not to get a bad name with the rest of the world, these people the AA team proved to be + point. 4 Mlt.
Bernard Manduca
Nov 30th 2012, 10:30
The implication of the write up is an act of cruelty. It could simply have strayed there - lost or spooked. This statement is irresponsible. It portrays our nation as uncaring or cruel. The opposite can be proven by a visit any vet's waiting room. Well done to the rescuers; but asking for contributions at the end of a dramatised portrayal, complete with that music? Proves a point of sorts.
Gerry Cowie
Nov 30th 2012, 10:28
Why don't human interest stories get so many comments or indeed these types of comments? Some of the language used literally humanises the animal concerned! It's indeed a story with a happy ending, but reveals a lot about how people regard animals when compared to human beings.
Mario Mamo
Dec 1st 2012, 13:33
It's degrading to 'humanise' these angels. Homo sapiens is an animal capable of murder, torture, robbery, envy, hatred and every conceivable thing that is evil. Man's best friends return love for evil. Starve them, beat them, keep them chained in horrid conditions and they repay with unconditional love. Can you say the same for homo sapiens? NO. Bless those who love them....curse those who do not
Paul Saliba
Nov 30th 2012, 09:40
I just sent sms.... You did?
Continue your good job AAA
S.M. Cuschieri
Nov 30th 2012, 09:15
My god!!! I have not cried in such a pitiful way since my beloved uncle passed away.......I have no words but thank you AAA. Will you please keep us informed about her progress and if she is eating ok now? I will sms immediately. Thank you, thank you !!!!!
MT Caruana
Nov 30th 2012, 08:58
Well done and God Bless.
Kurt Grech
Nov 30th 2012, 08:50
Ghandi xi hwejjeg li hrigt minnhom u qalluli li xi ghaqqdiet ta l klieb juzawhom biex jaghmluhom taht il klieb etc. Jista x hadd jghidli fejn nista nohodhom jekk joghgbok ghax ghandi xi sitt boroz suwed mimijin, hekk u hekk forsi jservu lil dawn l annimali...
Rosalind Agius
Nov 30th 2012, 15:56
@ L - AAA jintuzaw hafna. Mifuhin kuljum bis sibt u l hadd, bejn id disgha u is saghtejn. Grazzi
Norah Abela
Nov 30th 2012, 08:48
Dear Rosalind and co.
we thank you for all the hard work you do with strays and the AAA. i know that everyday is a struggle for you as you have to face such cases. thank you
as for a couple of messages that r plain tacky and nonsense to me..simply ignore and dont waste time answering. silence is golden they say....
again... thank you keep up the good work!
Charles Micallef
Nov 30th 2012, 08:34
Fantastic news!
Mark Demicoli
Nov 30th 2012, 08:29
just to serve as the devil's advocate...........who came up with the conclusion that the dog was abbandoned, and on what basis? Could it possibly be that the animal was wandering around and fell down, the area is very very dark at night and the dog might have been chased by other dogs and fell down, It looks like it's the usual "local experts" conclusions.
keith perry
Dec 1st 2012, 10:52
Mark Demicoli: the dog is a hunting dog, defined as such by comments here as a pointer.
its skinny so has not had food for a long period. If it was 'wandering around' it wasnt reported as lost or stolen, presuming it had been missing for over a week judging by its condition, and no mention of it being chipped. Hunting dogs who are no longer good are dumped,even pointers
J Cassar
Nov 30th 2012, 08:23
Well done to AAA for this fabulous recovery and saving a dogs life! Well done also to all those people who dedicate their free time in helping animals in sanctuaries and those who are the voice for these beautiful creatures! They live through you, because of you. Now for the law, BIGGER PENALTIES ARE NEEDED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY!
Amanda Sciberras
Nov 30th 2012, 08:08
Amazing and heart breaking!! Poor dog. Well done for the great work and the risks you took guys! Hope this beauty finds a great SAFE HOME soon. Animals are a mans best friend and a great companion if we take time to know animals and live around them.
Evan Abela
Nov 30th 2012, 08:07
Welldone great job.
Alfred Falzon
Nov 30th 2012, 07:44
What a heart-rending video!
It does Malta proud to see such humanism in d face of such cruelty to defenceless animals!
A BIG THANK YOU to all those involved in this delicate rescue operation, which is proof enough that in Malta VALUES are still d rule not d exception!
Show this video to school children. It is a great lesson to all & to the outside world!
Alf A Falzon
Joseph Bajada
Nov 30th 2012, 03:52
It's time to introduce compulsory microchipping to stop this type of treatment
Bernard Portelli
Nov 30th 2012, 10:11
Where have you been living? Microchipping has been compulsory for the last year or so!
C. Bonnici
Nov 30th 2012, 01:19
Very well done!!! Keep it up!!!
Steven Bezzina
Nov 30th 2012, 00:21
tistaw tghiduli meta ha insahu il ligijiet fuq l annimali.naghmlu kull tip ta ligi u hemm minnhom banali imbad fuq l annimali le u haluna.intom xi hsibtuh kelb iblah jew,ara kiku instab xi persuna malajr jinqala pandimonju.dan kollu ghax l annimali m ghnadhomx lehen allura naghmlu li irridu bihom.BLA KUXJENZA min jaghmel dawn il hnizrijiet.PROSET AAA tax xoghol kbir li taghmlu.
fleur cilia buckett
Nov 30th 2012, 00:05
AAA do sterling work for the animals - I really do admire the lot of you ! and this video slammed on facebook just made me sob - THANKYOU for saving this beautiful dog!
Elizabeth Micallef
Nov 29th 2012, 23:53
Whatever the story thank God for this gorgeous dog's rescuers. However, would an already traumatised animal not have felt more secure if the manner of lifting it out of the crater had been in a basket or by using a proper harness instead of with ropes. Still, well done and I do hope that Thumbelina is given a good and happy home.
A. Spiteri
Nov 29th 2012, 22:57
Well done to all. A heroic act. Great job. The dog is in good hands, for sure.
Albert Ellul
Nov 29th 2012, 22:49
Dogs are endowed with a natural ability to find their way home. So if someone findsit in his heart, if he would have one at all, to abandon his dog, that person would have to make sure that it is abandoned far and away from his home. Our district, the Zurrieq one, is often considered as a depository of unwanted dogs by persons living far from this area, being isolated by the airport runways.
Ms.D. Galea
Nov 29th 2012, 22:40
Well done AAA and may God Bless you.
wayne scicluna
Nov 29th 2012, 22:31
A big thank you to the AAA!
Alfred Grech
Nov 29th 2012, 21:56
Well done AAA - Dogs need us and we need them.
Marina Sammut
Nov 29th 2012, 21:45
What a touching video!! hope Thumbelina will recover and find a warm home waiting for her!!
Well done and thank you AAA!
anthony sultana
Nov 29th 2012, 21:23
My heros, saving someone life is a great thing to do.
Angie Schembri
Nov 29th 2012, 21:21
Awwwwww...god bless the rescuers. As I am typing I have rivers of tears....
What happiness when you went down for her
Xxxxxxxx
Vince Piscopo
Nov 29th 2012, 21:19
Well done AAA. These people should be rewarded.
David Cobbett
Nov 29th 2012, 21:12
Beautiful dog. Hope that he gets a good home.
M.Dolores Vassallo
Nov 29th 2012, 20:55
Prosit lil dawn in-nies b'qalb tad-deheb intom ghal genna zgur. U lil dawk in-nies li ghamlu dan l'att nejdilom xi darba tasal taghkom, possibli tmorru torqdu bil-lejl ja nies krudili.
Christina Pace
Nov 29th 2012, 20:32
It puts tears in my eyes every time i hear a story like this. I hear them daily. On some days I cannot cry anymore but to keep my sanity I look for the silver lining. It took one person to abandon this dog yet three people dropped what they were doing and rescued this dog. We are the majority and we are in the right and we will continue working to improve animal welfare.
B Attard
Nov 29th 2012, 20:27
Tghid rah il-video sidha? Jekk iva, ma tmissux il-kuxjenza u jghid min jaf kieku kont jien flok il-kelba?
Chris Spiteri
Nov 29th 2012, 20:19
Well done lads!! And thank you for saving yet such another animal!! UNCONDITIONAL love to OUR 4 legged friends!
S Farrugia
Nov 29th 2012, 20:06
Thank God for such wonderful and special people.
Hans Weber
Nov 29th 2012, 19:57
Judging by the video the dog is not wearing a collar or a tag, looks very thin to near starvation, however i noticed when it spotted the rescue team it was quite alert and happy, i think perpahs maybe it is an abondoned dog, and possibly fell when looking for food. Still My sincere congratulations to thr whole team AA team in Malta, will pass on this video to my colleagues in the UK.
M Mazzitelli
Nov 29th 2012, 23:37
Thanks for the insight Sherlock
Mr T Eng
Nov 29th 2012, 19:48
So heart breaking to see a dog in that state. Wonderful job AAA!! Thank god for people like you.
Renald Borg
Nov 29th 2012, 19:34
Such a great Story! Well done to the whole team a perfect example of the saying ' to the world you're just a person but to a person/dog you could be the world' Well Done!
Peter Murray
Nov 29th 2012, 19:25
Bless all the kind hearts of the AAA volunteers and wish Thumbelina a full and speedy recovery and that she quickly finds a new home an downer to share her great love with.
Mr Joe Camilleri
Nov 29th 2012, 19:21
I can see that AAA have learned their lesson well from BLM.
Sentionalise stories and money pours in.
Nicola Schulz
Nov 29th 2012, 23:10
Why so cynical? A beautiful, presumably abandoned, and starving dog has been rescued. These organisations depend on our money. Have you put your hand in your pocket? (I doubt it).
Amanda Sciberras
Nov 30th 2012, 08:11
But why could nobody be simply happy for a dog who was saved? We always have to say something!!
Chris Harris
Nov 29th 2012, 19:08
It could ofcourse been an accident although its highly unlikely for a dog as some have more sense then humans, or could it have been checked in deliberately.
steve loveridge
Nov 30th 2012, 10:28
Chriss knowing and reading about a minority of sadistic bastards on the island, i wouldn't be the least surprised. Fair play to the Malta animal rescue service they are doing a great job.
S. Bugeja
Nov 29th 2012, 19:05
Good job AAA! Your love and dedication towards dogs never fails to amaze me!
Robert R. Mifsud
Nov 29th 2012, 19:03
Prosit for the chap that reported this poor creature.Prosit for the AAA.How can anybody be so cruel to such an innocent dog ? That video was heart-breaking,jihassra that pointer so cute.
Marvic Vella
Nov 29th 2012, 19:00
slightly over drammatic video, but great job
Marthese Mussett
Nov 29th 2012, 18:59
Well done to all those concerned in saving this dog.If she really was abandoned I hope whoever left her there gets a harsh punishment.
Victor Pulis
Nov 29th 2012, 18:42
I once saved a dog from the same place it was one of a litter of four. The other three pups were dead.
M. Cardona
Nov 29th 2012, 18:41
Rosalind Agius,
should I be ashamed of what? For having functional brains which let me think the most likely probability without the hindrance of the need for sensationalism?
Besides, whoever told you that micro-chipping dogs is responsible? I micro-chipped both of mine way before the law was introduced and the chip migrated with a lot of consequences. Fine responsible owner I have been.
J Gouder
Nov 29th 2012, 21:13
Rescuing an animal is always commendable, whether its done by a normal citizen or an organisation. So a big well done to AAA. However, I do agree with you M. Cardona on the fact that I also think there is a great possibility the dog fell or had some sort of accident.. and perhaps the owner thought the dog died :(
J Gouder
Nov 29th 2012, 21:23
Generally speaking I think that hunters love their dogs very dearly. I don't agree with hunting in principle, but I know several people who are hunters and most have pointers or similar dogs and they are like their children. But unfortunately dogs are curious creatures too and in the countryside mishaps happen :( Although there is also the possibility the dog was really abandoned by a cruel owner
Kevin Grixti
Nov 29th 2012, 18:21
Why judge so quickly?b :S
That dog could have easily jumped/fell/climbed down there.
Rosalind Agius
Nov 29th 2012, 18:31
Not chipped, not tagged, not police reported as required by the law. That is enough to make her abandoned.
Kevin Grixti
Nov 29th 2012, 19:26
Well you are partially right....but i know MANY dogs that are loved from the owners that are not chipped or tagged.
Also all street dogs are not tagged or chipped and not many people would care if they disappear since they do live in the street.
Note: my point is not that if she was abandoned or not, obviously she was. My point is if she was thrown down there or not :)
Chris Borg
Nov 29th 2012, 18:11
very good job AAA may god help you in your work
M. Cardona
Nov 29th 2012, 18:05
AAA,
please do not be so sensational. That looks like an English pointer which probably fell into the crater rather than being abandoned by a cruel owner. The owner must have been searching around like crazy at her loss.
Rather please post a picture on forum.huntinginmalta.org.mt/YaBB.pl cause I have an inkling you may soon reunite her with the rightful owner.
Franco Attard Trevisan
Nov 29th 2012, 18:17
I think that both you and AAA are assuming the circumstances which led this dog to find herself there.... Unless of course you know something more about this dog than us readers!
The only important thing is that the dog has been rescued and is in good hands being attended to.
M. Cardona
Nov 29th 2012, 18:18
Never mind, someone already has. Good job on the rescue and well done for the effort, but how did you conclude that she was abandoned? That dog must have accidentally fallen into that crater and could not get out. English Pointers are not high on the list of abandoned dogs!
Rosalind Agius
Nov 29th 2012, 18:18
If she had a responsible owner, he would have reported her missing to the police, micro-chipped her and tagged her as required by the law. She had no owner looking around like crazy for her for sure.
Shame on you to comment like this on the voluntary work done by people who risked their lives going 15 metres down that crater for her.
G G Debono
Nov 29th 2012, 18:25
The dog had no collar - a sign strongly suggesting that it is an abandoned dog..
Maria Sammut
Nov 29th 2012, 18:28
I know Rosalind Agius and can assure anyone that she so dedicated to helping animals. She is always ready and willing to help whenever I contact her about a dog that needs assistance. Well done (as always) to Rosalind and the other volunteers at AAA. Keep up the good work.
Patrizia Busuttil
Nov 29th 2012, 18:28
Do you think dogs are so stupid? I believe dogs are much wiser than certain so called human beings. I am not excluding that this might have been an accident even though I do not think so. Also, if the owner was so crazy for her loss why did not s/he bother to put pictures of her in the area?
Thank you AAA and thanks to those kind people who bothered to report this.
M. Cardona
Nov 29th 2012, 18:32
Mr Franco Attard Trevisan,
judging by the breed that is probably a working gun dog. I once lost mine in a similarly inaccessible location and found her only through sheer good luck.
So YES in all probability it is personal experience the added knowledge about this particular dog's fate.
M. Cardona
Nov 29th 2012, 18:34
G G Debono,
a collar is very dangerous for working dogs which can easily strangle themselves if they get stuck. ...
G G Debono
Nov 29th 2012, 21:10
If you are right , (which I doubt) the owner will come and claim the dog... , we'll wait and see
keith perry
Dec 1st 2012, 11:26
M. Cardona: English pointers along with other hunting dogs are abandoned or 'disposed of ' when they are no longer capable or dont produce the goods when working..why should this not be the case in Malta?
If you like pointers go to Cyprus where there are plenty thrown out with others left to roam when the season ends or they dont work so well - some even abandonded on motorways!
Please choose the reason of your report below: