David Fenech was walking his two dogs in a remote area of San Ġwann when he came across “the friendliest, most adorable pit bull” tied on a short chain in a hidden spot among a pile of rubbish.
... she turned out to be the friendliest thing with those big eyes that seemed to say ‘please hug me’
“At first I was scared when I saw a pit bull... but the poor creature had its tail between its legs, signifying submission and fear, and it turned out to be the friendliest thing with those big eyes that seemed to say ‘please hug me’,” Mr Fenech said, adding he called the dog Spot because of the big, black round mark on its left eye.
Spot, a two-year-old, female mixed-breed, was tied on a short leash under a staircase in the middle of an abandoned field in San Ġwann, close to the industrial estates.
She was infested with fleas and there was a bucket tied to a rope that suggested someone was giving her water from the top of the stairs.
On Saturday, the day Mr Fenech first came across Spot, he called the Animal Welfare Department to inform them about it and was told they knew about the dog but it was well fed and in good condition.
Suspecting that the animal welfare did not have a clear picture of the situation, Mr Fenech sent photographs of the disgusting environment the dog was forced to live in. After receiving the images yesterday morning, the department picked up Spot and took her to the San Franġisk animal hospital in Ta’ Qali where it turned out she had a skin condition due to the squalid environment she was in.
Janice Chetcuti, from the Animal Welfare Department, said the department had taken Spot since the dog was in a public place and in clear need of rescuing.
A note was left on site just in case an owner wanted to claim responsibility for Spot. The person could face legal repercussions since, according to the law, an owner had to ensure the animal is well fed and cared for and that adequate living conditions are provided.
Ms Chetcuti said people had to realise that having a dog did not just imply feeding it and dumping it somewhere. That was not acceptable.
Spot is now looking for a warm and cosy home to move into once it leaves the hospital.
Mr Fenech is vouching for the dog he found. “Spot is friendly to total strangers, docile as a puppy and not overzealous in the attention-seeking department, like some dogs I know. She deserves love, company and a home where she can be safe from the elements and from human beings who cannot understand that pets and dogs, in particular, are friends for life, not until their novelty factor wears of,” he said.
Anyone who wants to adopt Spot can contact the Animal Welfare Department on 2590 4132/2590 4113.