I was reading the letter by Vanessa Grech of (TMID, 25 May) and felt that I should express my concern about this tragic accident.

Needless to say, I feel very sorry for all the victims, mostly for her tiny pet.

Yes, I feel strongly – as she wrote – that the legislation must be changed fast, before it might be too late. Dangerous breeds must be muzzled at all times except for feeding, even at their residence.

We live in Battery Street, Marsascala and every morning and afternoon my wife and many other parents have to walk our children to school and back simply because we are invaded with owned loose and stray dogs.

One afternoon, three minutes after she left home for school, my wife returned suffering from great shock and bleeding from her leg, simply because one of these dogs had fancied her flesh.

The owner, watching the event some metres away, didn’t even bother to stop the aggressor or assist my wife.

God help us if this happened on the way back with children aged four and seven, if not also pushing the one-year-old baby.

We still live like this today and sometimes we could easily count a dozen dogs hunting the area, with no authority or animal care organisation trying to control the situation.

I have travelled to many places around Europe and have never seen such a number of stray animals. I strongly feel that something must be done.

We are also sick of dogs barking and pushing their heads out of the gates of their front garden when ever anyone walks past on the pavement.

I also find it strange when dog owners take their pets for a walk on the promenade unmuzzled.

John Baptist Camilleri

Marsascala Local Council

MARSASCALA