Letters | Sunday, 13 September 2009

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In defence of dogs

You can immediately read the minds of some contributors when they write in to the media. I could immediately sense the anger and hatred that Mr Micallef of Swieqi (6 September) has for animals – dogs, in particular. Especially when he writes: ‘Dog lovers should keep them for themselves’ – that sentence, in itself, speaks volumes.
Dogs have every right to be on beaches as long as they do not constitute a menace or a nuisance to others using that beach. Of course, there will be the Micallefs of this island who will immediately bark out that they see the very presence of a dog as a nuisance. Mr Micallef, there is so much disturbance taking place, such as children crying and playing over people’s clothes, beach-balls flying through the air, in the water and on the sand… and you pick on the poor dogs!
Dog-foul. Agreed. I, myself, feel very strongly about this issue and it is up to the authorities to bring to book all those ‘owners’ who do not do what is their duty to do. That having been said, there is so much stink in this country, there is so much rubbish that one can see, that I simply cannot understand why we are going on witch-hunts and put all the blame on Fido. This is beyond me.
Constant barking at night. That means that that dog in question is not at his ease. Don’t you, Mr Micallef, give one thought about the fact that there is an animal out there, on the roof or on a balcony, alone and probably frightened? A kindly and well-meaning word to the ‘owner’ could work wonders, rather than just moan and groan about it.
Dogs lying loose are not illegal. Only dogs that prove themselves to be a menace are so.
I find it strange that this dog-hater doesn’t suggest that enforcement for illegal behaviour is taken seriously in general – that is, where it hurts him, as well. Yes, indeed – I have yet to read a nastier and angrier letter against dogs. I certainly wouldn’t want you as my neighbour.

Franco Farrugia
Pietà

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