Gozo SPCA highlights more horrific cases of cruelty
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The Gozo SPCA have announced that a German Shepherd bitch was rescued by a Gozo Civil Protection Dept team, led by Station Officer Peter Mercieca, from a sea cave close to Hondoq ir-Rummien on Thursday afternoon.
The bitch was brought ashore at Mgarr where she was handed over to Gozo SPCA. She was found to be in a horrific state, severely emaciated, like a walking skeleton, with hundreds of ticks all over her. Her hair was dry and sparse, with no hair for the length of her spine. She was severely dehydrated, having possibly been in the cave, which could not be accessed from the land, for several days.
The bitch, which had a grey muzzle and had obviously been used for breeding puppies, was wearing a dirty old collar with no ID. She was not micro chipped and it can only be assumed that, because of her very bad condition, she was thrown into the sea to kill her.
The dog was given water, (she had no interest in food) and rushed to the vet, who tested her for Leishmaniasis, using the rapid Leishmaniasis test and found her positive. He also found her to be severely anaemic and a kidney function test indicated renal failure. His view was that the dog was suffering and after discussion it was agreed that it would be kindest for the dog to put her to sleep. This decision could not be prolonged as there was absolutely nowhere in the Gozo SPCA centre to keep her overnight.
The Gozo SPCA said that their Centre is full to bursting, the situation being so bad that currently 5 dogs are being fostered out with volunteers in order to alleviate the overcrowding. Already this year 210 animals have been picked up off the streets, or dumped outside the shelter.
They concluded by saying that the cruelty cases dealt with by Gozo SPCA are increasing every week, with three during the past 7 days, one old dog was dumped outside the shelter close to death and another elderly blind bitch was found in sewage water with a three inch gash in her neck full of hundreds of maggots. This is cruelty beyond belief.
With reference to the above press release, I and my family were the persons who found this dog and effected the actual rescue from the cave. The above was sent to the media after my strong protest at the way this poor dog was killed in a very short time after being landed by the civil protection who transported it from the cave to Mgarr.
Unfortunately, Gozo SPCA acted very fast and despatched the dog before they talked to me, who rescued it, even though I had already arranged with another animal shelter, which does not kill dogs, to care for it and give it any necessary cure. I was even ready to pay for this care myself as I have already done on various occassions in the past.
What really surprised me, though, was the fact that not one person from Gozo SPCA said anything like “well done” of “good work” or similar to me even though I had to do very long mobile calls in trying to get help before the civil protection showed up, and I risked my dinghy to get it out of the cave. This apart from the hours until we managed to do the rescue, while she was already killed by the time I phoned up to see how she was.
No, they criticised me because I dared to question their lightning fast decision to kill this lovely and trusting creature. Well, I criticised and will continue to press for the whole truth regarding this case, because nobody should kill a living creature quickly simple because there is no space for it.
Otherwise, well done to the civil protection persons who did an admirable job.
I am just horrified reading what happened to this lovely dog. It has made me cry and hug my German Shepherd dog close. I am sure in Britain this dog would never have been put down. I cannot understand why it happened so quickly too – surely other options for it’s care could have been explored. I love Gozo but this does not endear me to the country if this is how dogs are treated.
Well done Mario for all you did.
I hope she is resting in peace in doggy heaven now.
Shame on all this cruelty, however with over 264,000 Euro of capital (http://www.spca-gozo.org/SPCA_2008_Final_accounts.pdf) Gozo SPCA ought to be able to have more adequate accomodation for these poor dogs.
Shame on you SPCA, you never even gave this dog a chance. ALSO!!! SHAME ON THE PERSON WHO ABANDONED THIS DOG!! you will, yes certainly you will be judged upon your actions.
A big shame on the SPCA Gozo, sitting on a quarter of a million Liri and all they do is complain of lack of space. The public have a right to know what is being done with the money.
The ‘cave’ dog incident just goes to show what an insensitive, and yes cruel bunch of people they truly are. The dog clearly had the willpower to live. All they had to do was get the story in the media before they killed her and certainly a kind family would have helped give her back her health, and above all her dignity, even if it would have been a short life – but no they had to take the easy way out – how disgraceful of them!! They barely gave her a day chance – how dare they!!
Ms Berry also claimed that she had a severe case of sandfly and didn’t want to risk infecting other dogs – sorry, since when is sandfly contagious? Why are these people allowed to send mixed messages? These people are meant to educated people how to care, respect and love animals and not to dispose of them with every illness which they encounter.
I do voluntary work with a local sanctuary and we have countless of dogs with sandfly and these, with the right medication, and tender care live the most normal lives and yes some even do find loving homes. We’ve had far worse cases than the German Shepherd question and this is why this story has angered me so much. Dogs who come to as as walking skeletons, riddled with sandfly (skin literally falling off) kidney failure – and you name it. Within months these get their health and dignity back. Unbelievable but so very true. And why? because we are dedicated to the animals we care for and what we do is not rewarded with money but with the gratitude these dogs give us. The only misfortune is that yes, we do have to turn away dogs sometimes only because we have a limit and we strongly believe that the ones we have are properly taken care of and not just put in a pen and fed – it goes far beyond that. More volunteers would ease the situation tremendously.
I strongly believe that this story should not go unnoticed and the SPCA should be made accountable for the murder of this poor loving dog.
Mario, well done for your action…so often we see strays and abandoned animals it almost becomes impossible to try to stop to help them everytime…but your determination and your love took you all the way and you have done an honourable thing in helping this creature in need that from what I am reading, had already had it’s share of heartless, selfish people, too busy thinking about their own needs to consider its needs too.
As to SPCA, I as a person who loves animals know for a fact that I would NEVER ever let a creature die if I knew that there is even the slightest half of a chance of it surviving. NEVER, as an animal lover, would I be able to just stand there and look at an animal being killed, looking for a justification for my behaviour, blaming circumstances or any other convenient interpretation of the situation, while knowing that this living creature could have another chance to life. Killing is killing, it is the ending of an existence and unless it is the only option, it is never good.
SPCA can tell us about all the difficulties they are having and we share their anger about it…something MUST be done to make the required tools and space and resources available to take care of animals; however NOBODY can tell me that are trying to protect and care for animals, that they are being PAID to represent the point of contact for whoever wants to care and protect animals…NOBODY can say that they truly love animals -a thing so basic for whoever works in this sector – and then just let an animal that obviously had more than 1 option, just die and end his existence like that!!! There is no love for an animal in an action like that!! And if there is no love for animals at the bottom of all this, tell me, SPCA, what are dedicated to? How are you looking to protect and care for these animals first and foremost?
No matter how many animals you might have rescued, NOBODY who loves animals would EVER opt for death unless it were the last, ONE AND ONLY option. Why would you?
OMG!!!!! i cannot believe the spca, not enough room???? Why didn’t they contact the people who found her???? They obviously cared enough to stick around and wait till she could be rescued. I am disgusted by what that poor dog went through only to then be put down (KILLED). And before spca even thinks of looking at my comment and saying ‘ If this person was in the same position she would do different…..bla bla bla’, I have something to say – I have a two year old rottweiler that was given to me when he was 5 mnths old. His trachea(throat) is severley bent, after confirming with my vet that he wasn’t in pain I kept him. His food bowls have to be put nearly half a meter from the floor because he cant bend low to the ground to eat. Half his body is semi paralysed so when he drinks half of the water goes rushing and splattering everywhere, to top it all off last year he had sandfly. I treated him and he has recovered well, to top it all off I live in a flat….so you can imagine. My point is if the spca people really cared for these animals they WOULD have found somewhere or even thought of something for just ONE NIGHT.
Stop finding excuses and just have the guts to say that it’s just a day job for you people and thats all it is!!!!
Well done Mario & family, just wish more people are like you.
Well done to the Psaila family for having tried to save the lovely German Shephard.
Also well done to the Civil Protection
Gallows to SPCA GOZO and their pennyhapnie vet (SKARPAN).
Maltese and Gozitan NGO’s can do a better job.
It is time to organise an Animal Rescue Gozo team and get rid of the money Scro0ges at SPCA GOZO. Sandfly is curable and controlable. The dog in the photo would have made it if cared for.
It is really a shame on the individuals who had put spokes in the wheels to the American Vet who offered his services free of charge to help the animals in Gozo.
I am sure the spca are still recruiting members, If you want a fair say in the running of the organisation join it and work for it.
If you were so keen to save this dog i am sure the spca wouldnt have overruled you if you had offered your services…
Those of you complaining have obviously now all gone hot foot to Betty and taken at least one dog each to reduce the population of strays… or is the spca the only one still in the fray !!!
It is all very well having an opinion, but at the end of the day the spca are the only ones hanging on in there, it is easy to criticize from thee relative safety of your arm chairs when the dog in question is dead.
I say well done to the people who have taken in dogs found in the street, They are not easy to handle or live with.. Many psychologically damaged and all a lot of hard work.
I say well done to the spca who are opening every day and are taking on and rehoming many dogs. Most of the spca workers have taken several dogs personally to help with numbers.
And to our critical friends. A learning opportunity… get in there and help
The spca need new premises… it is up to us the general public to help find them … or live with the consequence of having no spca..
And before you say whoopee… use your brains and think for a moment what that would mean
large numbers of stray dogs dying slowly in the street.. without the benefit of bossy ex pats doshing out tea and sympathy to them.
and if you thought the dog at Hondoq got it rough you will be offering up prayers for the spca when it has gone because it will be worse
So stop mouthing off and get into the fray… remember “Dont ask what the spca should do for you. Ask what you should do for the spca.
If you want a say get into the fray
Ann Corkett
I have to agree with Annie Corkett here. I have been coming to Gozo for years and have seen the fantastic work done by the Gozo SPCA. As Annie says it is very easy to criticise from the comfort of your own home but these people are on the front line so to speak doing a necessary job, which no one else seems to care about until it comes to criticising.
As for laying the blame for this situation at the door of the Gozo SPCA remember that these people have been pleading with the Government for years to try and get bigger premises without success. So if you must criticise then at least lay it where it belongs at the door of a Government unwilling to help poor distressed animals and the people trying their best to care for them.
Well put Annie. Everyone should stop pointing fingers and just help these animals from their suffering.Educate the public about the signs of animal cruelty how to report it and the government should enforce animal cruelty laws as a crime not a slap on the hand.
I have to reply to the last three posts which seem a bit suspect in their commendations to the killing of the cave dog. I feel that if Gozo SPCA are given this form of support to kill animals whenever they like then I am going to start thinking of joining those that are asking for the resignation of Ms Betty or the closing down of this sanctuary which prevents cruelty to animals by killing them.
I do not believe the cave dog was terminal and I would like to see the VET’s official report asap, together with his name and contact details.
Now, once again Gozo SPCA, please say the whole truth and give us the information we want. And stop treating us like ignorant kids. We put blame where it is merited. We blame Gozo SPCA for the final act of killing this dog immediately it came into their possession. So where the actual killing is concerned, that is it it.
Mario psaila
Ann Corcket – “the SPCA need new premises – it is up to the public to help find one or live with the consequence of living without one”
1) If the SPCA is nothing but a death – row to some dogs, then I think we could do without it- thank you.
2) We read in the news lately that this society is sitting on a quater of a million liri and you put the weight on the public? Come on Ms Crocket get real please.
3)People who are being critical toward the SPCA for the crime of killing this dog are people who do work and know the situation with strays I for one do regular voluntary work in a local sanctuary and I’ve seen far far worse cases than the German Shepherd which the SPCA killed and these survived many happy years either with us or in a loving home. This is why this story has angered me so much.
Why can’t you admit it once and for all and offer an apology to Mr Psaila and the public in general for this grave mistake?
4) We are not critisizing from the safety of our our armchairs “now that the dog is dead” – the SPCA killed it for heaven’s sake. I for one have been having dreams seeing this dog swimming to what she thought was safety. Only for her to find such a cruel end to her life.
5)If the SPCA Gozo are still recruiting members to work with it then I suggest that the ones who took the decision to kill the dog should make way for others who are more committed, dedicated and above all compassionate toward animals.
I agree Mario, at the end of the day the SPCA are there to RESCUE and HELP not KILL.
A word to Annie – There ARE people out there who help every single day as they can, true that people may not be aware fully how to help but you don’t have to be a genius to know! It’s something that is in you.
I must agree that the government can do more – of course, but is this the solution????? Putting down dogs and cats because there is no room?
I did not critise for nothing – as I said before the SPCA had an option of calling the people who found her, but they didn’t.
WHY?
Yes they are there everyday and yes they do help, but helping cos its a routine is one thing and helping cos u really care is another.
I help many organisations when and how I can, but I wont help people who are not willing to take a dog in their own home or put a blanket in a corridor for one night, or pick up the phone and make a few calls.
People do help, but let’s be honest will people help after this??????
@Mario Psaila. Mario speaking purely for myself my comment was in no way a commendation to the killing of the cave dog as you put it. I have the greatest respect for you for giving this dog a fighting chance but I also have the greatest respect for the people who work for the Gozo SPCA.
I think somewhere along the line here we have lost sight of the big picture. And the big picture in this case is that some low life scum dumped this poor dog in the sea to die. That person is ultimately responsible for the dog’s death and that person needs to be caught. Right now they are sitting back laughing over these senseless attacks on an organisation trying to do their best in difficult circumstances.
You talk about calling for the resignation of Betty Berry and the closing down of the centre. And then what? Are you going to take over the care of stray animals on Gozo? These people are dealing on average with around 36 animals a month which they are either rescuing themselves, having brought to them or dumped outside their door. Even if in this case it is found that a decision was taken too quickly and I’m not saying it was, as I don’t know the circumstances, then you are still talking about one case. And by the way that decision was made not by Ms. Berry but by a qualified vet. You make it sound as if they are running a bloody death camp!
As I said at the beginning I respect you for what you did in saving this animal but lets get real here and direct your venom towards the person who put the dog in that situation. Also since you admit in your own comment that you have not seen the vet’s official report, and you don’t even know who he or she is wouldn’t it be a good idea to wait until such time as you had the full facts before erecting the gallows?
It seems to me we have two major alternatives either to continue in negative bitching about an organisation that if taken over the last five years of its existance has been broadly successful and positive.. or if we are big enough to learn from the obvious mistakes made and try to move the organisation into the next phase of its development so that it can achieve greater heights of success.
The SPCA is not one person it is a large group of people coming together to share their common care and concern over the welfare of the animals of gozo. Nobody has given anyone the right to kill animals by supporting the good works that the spca have done.
Now we need to look at the skills that the spca need to to go forward, including yours, Mario Psaila, if you want to get in the fray and help shape the future for our animals
SPCA needs people to re home animals to commit to an animals for the length of its life.
SPCA needs people to walk and care for animals that are not fortunate enough to have been rehomed
SPCA needs members to reflect their thinking and opinion and to provide a sound foundation on which to build the philosophy of the organisation
We have a decision to make… to destroy the spca over a single issue… to undo the broadly good work that it has done over the past years.
Or to have the courage to commit ourselves to improvement of service for animals and build on the good that the spca have already done
Read this letter carefully Mr Psaila.. There is no reference to killing animals, which like you I find unacceptable..
My suggestions are positive and feasible, they embrace the good works done by individual members including Betty Berry, who has worked tirelessly for this organisation for many years.
ANNIE CORKETT