Moira Delia, animal rights campaigner and television presenter, is disappointed with the sentence handed down on Tuesday to the man who shot the dog Star.
“The first thing I asked when I heard it was, what does a person have to do to receive the maximum penalty?” Ms Delia said.
She is one of the four people who set up the Star Trust Fund following the discovery of Star buried alive in a shallow grave last month. In all, €8,200 were raised to reward anyone coming forward with information leading to the conviction of whoever committed the “horrific act” against Star.
Alfred Vella, a 44-year-old farmer of Birżebbuġa, who was found guilty on Tuesday of “exaggerated” animal cruelty and manufacturing a shotgun, received a three-month jail term but is out on bail pending an appeal.
“I am against all the anger and the harsh words used, but the minute I heard the sentence I thought it was a bit unfair on these innocent animals that are unable to defend themselves,” Ms Delia said.
She condemned the heckling the accused received as he left the courtroom on Tuesday, saying two wrongs did not make a right.
Since he has been convicted, the money of the fund will instead be distributed to nine organisations that include registered sanctuaries, a clinic for strays and a cat sanctuary.
Drawing attention to the fund, Ms Delia pointed out that following what happened, animal lovers had constructively made a difference.
The Star Reward Fund group was formed roughly a month ago after the photos of Star’s nose peeping through the soil were published and triggered them to do something about it. The group said this was only the beginning for them.
The reward fund will be extending its services to other cases of animal cruelty, including the incident where three Pharoah hounds were found floating off Marsalforn tied together at the neck.
“We are here to be the voice for these animals,” Roberto Calleia, from the fund, said.
He thanked everybody who contribute and said the fund would still be receiving donations in solidarity with the sanctuaries.