Three dogs were lucky to stay alive yesterday, after they ate poisoned food scattered over a wide area of the beautiful Ta’ Cenc plateau in Gozo, popular with dog walkers and hunters, The Malta Independent has learnt.

While a representive from the Police Community and Media Relations Unit said the area has now been cleaned up by hunters, Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) and the Gozo section of the Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (SPCA) both condemned the act.

Gozo SPCA said in a statement, that a police officer from the Administrative Law Enforcement Section had informed them “three dogs that had eaten food laced with poison, were saved by their quick-thinking owner, who immediately administered salt that made the dogs vomit, effectively saving their lives”.

“Gozo SPCA condemns this callous and barbaric use of poison, which causes a slow and agonising death,” the statement said.

AD also condemned the poisoning, saying that locals, tourists, and their pets, have the right to risk-free enjoyment of open spaces and the countryside.

AD Sannat councillor John Mizzi said: “Residents who usually walk their dogs along the plateau have been informed that a number of dogs had been poisoned”.

“We deplore this barbaric act and strongly appeal to the Gozo police to ensure that the perpetrators are caught, and to inform the public about the hidden agenda of the criminals. The law should be equal to all.”

The SPCA has advised dog owners to stay away from the area, or to keep dogs on a leash at all times. Dog owners are advised to carry salt in their car, and to give their dog a strong salt-water solution and seek immediate veterinary assistance, should they suspect poisoning.

Anyone having any information that could establish the identity of the perpetrators should contact Gozo SPCA on 2155-3769.