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Punishments to fit the crimes

The volunteers at the Island Sanctuary have picked up the pieces after many horrific cases of animal cruelty. No wonder they had wanted to have their say in the proposed new legislation covering the issue, says MIRIAM DUNN

Unless the proposed legislation for animal welfare raises the fines for cruelty above the current laughable levels, it is unlikely that the heart-wrenching cases we hear about today will diminish.
Sandy, one of the dedicated volunteers at the Island Sanctuary, is convinced that unfortunately, it is only by hitting people’s pockets that results are achieved.
"Of course, we believe that education about animal welfare is equally important," she says. "But I think the way the introduction of wardens helped tackle the parking problem here was a perfect example of how people tend to learn the hard way, by being fined."
The Island Sanctuary workers had intended to push hard for stricter fines during talks with the authorities prior to the new law being passed.
But now, like the other NGOs, its members are concerned and annoyed that the legislation appears to be a ‘fait accompli’.
"This was something we brought up at the recent animal welfare conference," Sandy says. "When the government veterinary representative began mentioning the proposed laws, we were surprised because we were told we would be consulted and this had evidently not happened."
The Island Sanctuary workers believe they have a valuable contribution to make where the drawing up of new animal legislation is concerned, not least because they hear about and even see the results of these cases of cruelty firsthand.
"People call us or other NGOs to report animal cruelty cases, not government representatives, because they know we care and will do whatever we can to help," Sandy says. "In this regard, we believe we have a lot of useful information to relay to the authorities when legislation is being formulated."
What is indisputable is the horrendous stories of animal cruelty that the workers have to tell some of which have produced victims that now live at the sanctuary.
Others were not lucky enough to survive. The least fortunate targets of sick jokes endured slow, painful deaths.
Sandy recalls one story with a happy ending, a poodle which had been buried alive, found in an appalling state, but now living happily in a new home. A different ending from that experienced by a poor dog that was tied to two cars at Hal Far which drove off in different directions, literally splitting the animal in half.
Other issues the Island Sanctuary volunteers want to see covered in new legislation include a neutering programme – something all the NGOs appear to regard as crucial to controlling and reducing the stray population.
"We believe the authorities, the NGOs and also the local councils could join forces to help tackle the problem of strays," Sandy says. "We neuter our animals and we also go out and help, by neutering strays in certain areas. But the political will has to come from the top. Dogs that are turfed out mate, producing litters of puppies, with the result that the stray population continues to multiply."
The Island Sanctuary also voiced a concern expressed by some other groups that the government’s proposed microchipping programme will only be introduced on a voluntary basis.
"This will not solve the problem of irresponsible owners dumping unidentified dogs," Sandy says. "People who are good owners, or have pedigrees will make use of the system, but it is the others that concern us."
The workers would also like to see a clearer definition of what constitutes animal cruelty enshrined in the legislation.
"For example, at the moment we are unhappy with dogs being tied up all day in one small space, but this doesn’t officially constitute cruelty at the moment," Sandy says.
The volunteers also want a reassurance that an animal welfare committee is to be set up.
"We have heard a rumour that the plan is to establish an animal affairs committee, which we do not consider to be the same thing at all," Sandy explains.
The Island Sanctuary workers also recognise that no new law will work if there is insufficient enforcement.
"Our view is that the Administrative Law Enforcement section of the police is simply too busy to deal with animal cruelty cases," Sandy says. "When we call them they invariably have other things to deal with such as hunting at Buskett or problems out at sea.
"We believe we need a specific unit to deal with animal cruelty cases, which should also include inspectors from the NGOs, who are committed to the cause, working alongside the police."
Sandy points out that the Island Sanctuary workers have no powers of enforcement, adding that their volunteers have been attacked when carrying out re-homing inspections.
I ask her whether indications are that people are learning that taking on a pet is a lot of work, but unfortunately the figures are still bleak.
"We are always full – at the moment we have 157 dogs - and our waiting list is even bigger, standing at 165," she answers. "We average some 10 phone calls per day from people who cannot cope with their dogs, not to mention people that just turn up at the gates."
And tragically, it is always the same old stories, despite the warnings given to prospective owners, with people unwilling to tolerate a puppy chewing items around the house, making a mess or growing bigger than expected.
"We do our best to warn people, but however hard we try, our message falls on deaf ears some of the time, with tragic results," Sandy says.
Island Sanctuary, which receives no government funding, desperately needs volunteers and is always looking for good homes for dogs. If you can offer any help, call 659895 or 657657.