A few days ago, the Director of Animal Welfare expressed some comments and made a declaration regarding treatment to circus animals, according to the way he was reported in one of the local newspapers. Owing to the fact that he made certain accusations of ‘double standards’ aimed at the NGOs involved, I have the following points to make in correction to what he stated.
There is no question of ‘double standards’ as the director, Dr Mario Spiteri, claims. How can it be said that animals in circuses are like police dogs on parade? Such an assertion is not only an insult to the Police Dog Section but also to the dogs involved: these dogs do not go through humiliating and harrowing methods of training and certainly they have a purpose in life which is humanitarian and far from humiliating – the same cannot be said for circus animals. Nor do police dogs go through the stressful moments of journeys, especially by sea, as an animal circus naturally has to go through in order to reach Malta.
Dr Spiteri attacks NGOs by mentioning pet shops: I frequently wrote in the media that animals should not be sold in any shop – in fact, they should not be sold at all.
So, contrary to what he states, protests are also made against the selling of animals through pet shops.
With regard to vets: one can continue repeating ad nauseam that the circus in question has this and that qualification, certificate and EU approval. Veterinarians, like all other professionals, can and are easily bought by organisations, entities and individuals close to politicians, in order to certify this and that – after all, only animals are involved (sic). But perhaps the public can be told who the ‘government vet’ that examined the animals was, and be madde aware of a thorough result of such an examination. Surely, no exam can take into account the psychological damage done to animals.
Dr Spiteri claimed that his department “has the competence to inspect the circus.” Well, did it? And is there a formal write-up of the results of such an inspection? When was it held? Who carried out the inspection? Were the circus people informed from beforehand that such an inspection was to be made?
The fact that it is claimed that animal circuses are ‘still on demand’ proves nothing. First of all, it shows how updated one is, in making such an assertion. But even if that was so, where does that leave us? Even fox hunting is still in demand in the UK; even children are ‘still on demand’ for paedophiles; but it does not mean that we have to satisfy the monsters involved, do we?
With all honesty and sincerity, I exhort Dr Spiteri to do more, much more in working in tandem with the NGOs that work within the area of animal welfare. This would give the much-needed credibility to his office and role. The Director needs to join forces with these NGOs, as well as those many people who silently and in hiding, and work towards the improvement of the strays’ lot in these islands. As things stand now, I, who have been observing, reading, practising and reflecting about this topic which has been so close to my heart for many years, without having a single hidden agenda about it, am in a position to judge that as things stand now. Dr Spiteri does not respect the great many NGOs working with animals, as well as many individuals who are animal-lovers, and so is not working in tandem with them. That he has a very bad impression of animal-related NGOs, more is the pity. The result is that such NGOs and animal-lovers, out there in the arena, have nobody to fall back on and are defenceless.
In conclusion, nobody can honestly pretend to love and respect animals, and at the same time, visit any part of an animal-circus.
Any comments?
If you wish your comments to be published in our Letters pages please click button below. Please write a contact number and a postal address where you may be contacted.
Search:
MALTATODAY
BUSINESSTODAY
Download MaltaToday Sunday issue front page in pdf file format
All the interviews from Reporter on MaltaToday's YouTube channel.
