ANIMAL CRUELTY: GONE TOO FAR?

The past year has been quite eventful in terms of local animal cruelty that Malta even featured in a number of international headlines as regards hunting and heartless atrocities.

Words by Roslyn Schembri

These killings reached their peak when Star was shot and buried alive. Suddenly more cases of animal cruelty were making headlines.

There was Gaia who was found in a skip, the animal circus and more recently the puppy crucifixions and the illegal animal slaughter house in Mosta.

People were shocked at these horrific events and went to the streets and protested.

October 8^th marked the ‘World Events to End Animal Cruelty’ and a candlelit vigil was organised by President of WEAAC Malta Fleur Marie Cilia Buckett, where people marched peacefully from Msida to Valletta.

Dawn Groth and Uwe Siwek founded WEEAC Malta in February 2011. Fleur was in charge of campaigning, fundraising, organising protests and sending out petitions to raise awareness against animal cruelty.

In fact Fleur, with the help of many friends, organised a protest for Star on June 5th 2011. After this protest she was appointed by the founders of WEEAC as the group’s Ambassador in Malta.

After Fleur then successfully organised the 8th October vigil, which was WEEAC’s first event to take place locally, she was promoted to President of the group exactly a day after.

Fleur says, “It was a really amazing afternoon with kind faces everywhere and lovely dogs and their yelps!! The candle light vigil was a beautiful moment for all of us, shame that the weather kept many home on the day.”

Fleur founded WEEAC Malta in February last year, and ever since she has been campaigning, organising protests and sending out petitions to raise awareness against animal cruelty.

“The problem in Malta is that when it comes to animal related topics, such as micro chipping and neutering, there is not enough awareness and marketing going on,” says Fleur.

It’s true that people should be more concerned and aware of the brutal treatment on the voiceless animals, but to what extent shall animal activists go?

PETA – a global animal rights organisation – does loads of campaigning and is renowned for its ‘out of the box’ adverts which usually featuring celebrities posing in the nude or dressing in raunchy outfits.

They might not be doing any harm through these images or messages like ‘Feeding Kids Meat is Child Abuse’ or ‘Want my Body Go Vegetarian’. But PETA might have gone a step too far this time.

The most recent controversy surrounding this organisation is their latest shocking vegan campaign which has landed them in trouble with women’s rights activists.

The latest video is disturbing because it can give out the message that sexual violence is ok.

The advert features a girl who is suffering from a fictional syndrome called WVAKTBOOM, or, ‘Boyfriend Went Vegan and Knocked the Bottom out of Me… a painful condition that occurs when boyfriends go Vegan and can suddenly bring it like a tantric porn star.’

As a reaction to this advert Fleur says, “PETA are quite radical when it comes to campaigning. In fact their campaigns are quite extreme especially when it comes to vivisection.

“It’s disgusting really to see such an advert because at the end of the day if you’re in favour of animal rights you don’t have to send out messages of abuse and hurt others. Also as an animal lover you don’t necessarily have to go vegan.

“We’ve been given carnivorous teeth for a reason.”

Do protests have to be violent to make an impact?
To what extent does one have to go to convey a message?

Star Reward was formed in the last week of May 2011 as a Rapid Response, right after the media conveyed the barbaric atrocities done towards the Dog, Star. Thanks to the fine work done by The Animal Welfare, of rescuing Star, the public then got a first hand view of the reality in this country that cruelty towards animals lives amongst us.

She was shot, Tied and Buried Alive!

Our Aim….to obtain funds, set a reward and capture the culprit! ough this was not the only message Star Reward wanted to relay, but by setting up the fund one also wanted to communicate a message to anyone that cruelty to animals SHALL NOT be tolerated.

If, in the event that no-one comes forward or if the police solve the case, then 9 Animal Sanctuaries would benefit equally from all the funds collected.

Nine Sanctuaries appointed are:

AAA Sanctuary~Island Sanctuary~Noah’s Ark Sanctuary~SPCA Malta~SPCA Gozo~Happy Paws~Tomasina Cat Sanctuary~SASG and Francis Napier.

Founded by Mr Roberto Calleja, Dr S.Camilleri,Mr H Bonaci and Ms Moira Delia – Star Reward commenced with obtaining a licence from the Malta Police. The Assistant Commissioner, Mr Josie Brincat, was truly supportive and extremly helpful.  The freephone number 119 was allocated(used only for human criminal cases) for the Star Reward – meaning anyone who had information about STAR could call in all confidentially.  Never before has this number been assigned towards a case of cruelty towards Animals.

Through social networking and mobile messaging Star Reward commenced with its chosen “Together we shall make a difference“. Star Reward posters had been printed and distributed to retail outlets, restaurants and the media, all costs supplied by sponsors.

Star Reward made its first TV appearance on J.Bundy’s Affari Taghna on ONE TV, together with F.Zammit’s TV programme on NET TV, shortly after.

The Times of Malta gave helpful coverage also towards Star Reward,so much so that Star Reward was mentioned by the famous cartoonist Maurice Tanti Burlo stating “Remember the Silent protest tomorrow for STAR and give generously to the Star Reward Fund“.

The Silent Protest on the 5th June 2011, organised in solidarity for Star and against cruelty towards Animals by Ms Fleur Cilia Buckett was a great success and brought more awareness to the public. A big thankyou goes toAnabelle Karaquilian, Joanna Attard, Anna Speranza and Fabiene Vella for all their help.  Star Reward requested Ms Fleur Cilia Buckett to present a cheque on their behalf to one of the listed sanctuaries for her outstanding support towards animals.

Star Reward cllected separate funds from six local companies for a full page advert in The Times of Malta for awareness towards the campaign.

On the 6th June 2011, just a day after the thousands came and walked in solidarity for STAR – the unimaginable news that shocked us the maltese and many people around the world – STAR had passed away due to complications – this was a sudden blow to all!

Though – due to this unfortunate event, Star Reward was adamant in fulfilling its goal.

On the 12th June 2011, Star Reward reached out to local celebrities to work on a video for the local television networks.  The explicit and eloquent script for Star Reward’s TV campaign to bring more awareness was prepared by Ms A.Bezzina, a popular writer for the Times of Malta, MS I.Losco, Ms F.Cauchi, Ms C.Agius, Mr N.Hamilton,Mr.J.Bundy,Mr G.Zammit, Mr H.Bonaci, Mr.D.Chircop and Mr Ivan Grech volunteered freely to voice the message on this video whilst Ms M.Delia and Mr R.Calleja from the Star Reward also participated.  A heartfelt thankyou to all who participated and believed. This was produced and filmed at Hermann Bonaci Productions in Qormi at no cost!

On the 20th June 2011, less than three days from the launch of the Star Reward’s TV spot, the Malta Police apprehended and arrested Mr.Alfred Vella after intense investigations for the barbaric act carried out on the Dog STAR.  On the 22nd June 2011, Star Reward publically announced on TVM’s 8 o’clock News that all funds collected shall be distributed to all the 9 sanctuaries and the Maltese Police Force has solved this case.

By the beginning of July 2011, Star Reward had collected 8100.00euros through sms’s and donations.  One donation deposited directly into the bacnk account amounted to 500.00euros.  The local cable network Melita PLc also donated to the cause and aired Star Reward’s sms numbers on their info channel.  Donations from the US and the UK had also been received.

18th January 2012 all 9 sanctuaries were given a cheque of 900.50 euros and I am very delighted that these funds shall be used for the animals in need.

Star Reward thanked all those who have collaborated to this cause and for being the voice for the innocent animals.

TOGETHER WE HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE

To view the new Veterinary Services Act of Malta Please click on the link below

VETERINARY SERVICES ACT

The horrific discovery of a dead puppy nailed to a wooden cross hanging upside down on the front door of a Mosta residence has left many reeling in shock, particularly in light of the fact that the residence happens to be the place where a woman was shot dead by her brother about 12 years ago.

Mr Franġisku Buhagiar, known as Frebażżu, who served a 10-year jail term for the murder, now lives in another residence in St Anthony Street, Mosta, and was never a dog owner.

The door of the residence where the puppy was found nailed to a wooden cross on Sunday morning is vacant, and has, for a long time, been padlocked.

A magisterial inquiry into the case is under way and investigators are examining fingerprints on the wooden cross, as well as the note that was found between the cross and the dog’s body. The note reportedly reads: “The dog’s suffering represents the suffering that I myself have been going through.”

Buhagiar, now about 80 years old, had shot his older sister Maria at close range following an argument they had had over burnt toast and a top that had to be mended.

The Animal Welfare Department has urged anyone having any information that could shed light on the case to notify the police. SPEAK UP IF YOU DON’T…you are part of the CRIME!!

Star, the dog who sparked Malta’s biggest animal rights protest, was immortalised through a monument that was unveiled yesterday.

The monument, at the San Franġisk Animal Hospital in Ta’ Qali, serves as a reminder of the atrocious cruelty act that shocked the country on May 19 when the mixed breed was found buried alive in a Birżebbuġa field.

Star, named by the animal welfare officers, was taken to the animal hospital where over 40 lead pellets were removed from her  head. She succumbed to her injuries on the 6th June, a day after hundreds of people turned up in Sliema for the biggest protest against animal cruelty ever held in Malta. Thankyou to everyone who came on the 5th June. WE ARE THE VOICE for THE VOICELESS!

The monument, by Gianni Pace, was unveiled during an open day at the animal hospital held to mark the first anniversary since the hospital opened its doors.

A big thank you to all those who joined us on the 8th October, it warmed my heart that many believe in this cause……. It was a really amazing afternoon with kind faces everywhere and lovely dogs and their yelps! ! The candle light vigil was a beautiful moment for all of us, shame that the weather kept many home on the day.

Thankyou to Island Beverages and Fiona Ciappara for providing bottled water for the event. Medistar Animal Ambulance for providing their services, Joseph Farrugia of JF Photo Studio.com for taking some beautiful photos, XV Solutions for providing sound. Thanks also goes to the talented Shauna Vassallo who sang her heart out to the crowds with her beautiful song “why”. Thankyou to Torsten Poralla and to Sea Shepherd Supporters Malta who fully supported this event. Ivan Grech of Winter moods, once again supported this cause along with MP’s and thanks to Island Sanctuary, Noah’s Ark and Happy Paws who joined us too. Fabiene Vella thankyou for providing the generator and Anna thanks for so many things you helped me with. Without you all, I could not have done it all, so thanks to everyone who printed off flyers and blasted posts with the event and to all those who helped to pay towards the fantastic banner as you can see in this amazing picture and donations to cover all costs for such a big event!  ~ GRAZZI ~

Remember the WEEAC MALTA GROUP where all future events will be discussed/cases of animal cruelty/ fostering and homing etc pls join and ask all animal lovers to join this fantastic page too!

Sculptor Ganni Pace at work on a memorial to Star, the dog who won the country’s collective heart.  She was shot in a barbaric act of animal cruelty that left 40 shotgun pellets lodged in her head, buried alive and rescued – only to die days later in care, a day after all of Malta had a peaceful rally I organised 5th June 2011 at the ferries, Sliema. The memorial statue will be in bronze and given a place of honour at the St Francis Animal Welfare Centre in Ta Qali on the 4th October, the Feast of St Francis and the first anniversary of the opening of the centre.

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