We are pleased and encouraged by the sentencing of Star’s perpetrator for what was a macabre act of savagery. We hope this conviction sends a serious message that inflicting cruelty of any nature on a defenceless being will not be tolerated and that anyone who commits an atrocity like this will be caught and brought to justice. However, the recent discovery of three dogs dumped in the sea serves as a sombre reminder that we still have a long way to go.

At Dogs Trust we are working hard to push our education scheme across Malta to teach the next generation of pet owners why we need to respect animals. We feel it is crucial to start such education from a young age while also providing rehoming knowledge and practical veterinary support to those most in need. We urge people to take advantage of our help and advice before resorting to desperate measures. Abandoning or inflicting cruelty on an animal is never the answer.