The committee of the Island Sanctuary Association was both horrified and disgusted to read the article Sliema House Disinfected After 23 Dogs Are Taken Away (August 12).

Some three years ago, members of our sanctuary were also involved in a similar operation, involving a warehouse in Żabbar and many unfortunate cats and dogs "imprisoned" within. What makes it a hundred times worse is the fact that it was the same so-called "animal lover" who was to blame for this unintentional, but real, cruelty!

The situation was almost exactly the same! The place stank to high heavens - dirt was piled up knee high, and, in spite of masks, we had to keep running out to get some air! The poor dogs were in a sorry state - full of fleas, some had large bald patches on their bodies, others had mange. One poor bitch had given birth to puppies recently, but none of them could be found! We collected 32 dogs in all, including a second mother and her litter of puppies.

Medication and lots of TLC restored them to good health, but even after three years many of them are too traumatised to find homes. Naturally, such a big intake of strays meant that we could not admit any more dogs for ages!

At least the dogs survived! This particular "animal lover" also "saved" around 40 cats - but only 10 survived!

The case ended up in court, but the only result was that her victims were confiscated! She was left free to start her collection again...with disastrous results for the poor animals she managed to accumulate! With her track record, it's hardly likely that any of the dogs were spayed - which would naturally swell the number of dogs even more!

This time, we expect - and demand - that proper action should be taken by the authorities responsible. This particular woman needs help herself! She should never be allowed to keep a single animal, let alone a so-called "sanctuary"! For the sake of the strays, stop her now!