No matter how much progress is made in the treatment of animals in this country, there are still cases which shock and appall us.

The latest case to make the news was the horrendous ordeal which a German Shepherd bitch was put through in Gozo. She was used as a baby maker, and when her body gave out, rather than being given a nice ‘retirement’, her owner – a sad, cruel and heartless individual threw her into the sea.

He or she did not have the decency to fork out some money to put the dog down, or at least, let’s be blunt – smashing her head in himself. Either way, both would have been much more humane than throwing the poor animal into the sea.

She was fished out and her condition was described as “a walking skeleton”. Sadly, after being rescued, she was watered and put down as there was nothing left in her. Vets and Gozo SPCA members said it was the most humane thing to do.

This newspaper had taken the lead in the fight for the introduction of animal rights as law some seven years ago, presenting a 3,500 strong petition to parliament in an effort to get the ball rolling.

We are not saying things have not improved. They have. By and large, people care for their animals and pets, some might say, often have a better life that humans. But there is still more to be done.

Today’s news of another animal ambulance being given to Noah’s Ark animal sanctuary is a good start, but the country needs a hospital, a rehabilitation centre, a surgery, an emergency service and most importantly, laws to put an end to cruelty.

Again, we press the point. Much has been done, and many Maltese people love their pets as much as their own children. But it is the cock fighters, dog baiters, abusive animals breeders, abusive pet shops and most of all, heartless people which cause the trouble.

The courts have also upped (according to amendments to the law) fines dished out to people who are cruel to animals. But we join the calls for harsher punishment for those who truly commit the appalling – such as leaving dogs tied up for so long that their muscles waste away and collars cut into flesh. Other countries impose jail time – and it is probably about time for us to consider the same.

Another problem which we need to address is tarring everyone with the same brush and witch hunts. Yes, the issue of cruelty to animals tugs on the heartstrings and provokes an emotional outburst, but we must be rational. There was one instance where a man was sought by police after they received reports of his dog being dumped in a quarry. The truth was that the dog had escaped the house and gone AWOL, getting stuck – all the while his owner was putting up posters and going spare with worry.

The community also has a role to play in reporting cruelty and the authorities must give more of a budget to the Malta and Gozo SPCA centres to deal with the cases that come in. Thankfully, the attitude is changing and many potential pet owners are adopting doctored strays or animals rescued and currently in sanctuaries. This newspaper also tries to do its bit by putting a weekly profile of a dog in need of a home on its pages. Sadly, uptake has not been that impressive.