The news as reported on the TV and print media of the slaughter of three Klieb tal-Fenek is shocking and disgusting. Taking vengeance on such defenceless animals cannot be termed as anything except a cowardly act on the part of the perpetrator.

However, what is enormously worrying is the fact that if there is such a sick person running on the loose. The person who would go to such extremes of invading private property for the joy of finding and hanging not one dog but three, must definitely have a really disturbed side to their personality, which could eventually result in more gruesome acts, unless that person is caught and duly punished.

I hope the police take this case really seriously and that the culprit is eventually found and brought to trial, although sadly we have seen cases in the past where the perpetrators of other atrocious acts were mildly let off by our courts. Isn’t it time that the people in authority finally put their act together and came up with the appropriate law to ensure the well-being of all animals?

Unfortunately in 2006 we heard of several cases of animal maltreatment reported in the media, and I am sure that there are many others which have not been brought to light, which stresses the seriousness of this situation that seems to becoming uncontrollable.

But, alas, this will be another letter like many others which I’m sure will be written on the same subject and eventually forgotten, like so many laments before. However, what is comforting is there are those who will not forget their animal friends and will never abandon the fight to ensure the well-being of all animals.

Antoinette Catania

Birkirkara