Star: famous in life, equally famous in death

Named Star by the Animal Welfare Department, the female dog had made headlines around the world because of her incredible tale of survival.

Star, believed to be aged four or five, had been rescued two weeks ago near Ghar Hasan in Birzebbuga, after having been shot, bound and buried alive up to her snout. She had been saved in the nick of time by officers of the Animal Welfare Department who were in the area investigating reports of animal abuse.

But whilst there, the officers heard whimpering sounds coming from a different area. Lifting a wooden plank held in place by a piece of tree trunk, the officers made the shocking discovery of Star … with just her snout poking out of the soil.

When taken to the San Frangisk Animal Welfare Centre in Ta’ Qali, the vet removed over 40 lead pellets from her head during the operation.

Initially, vet Trevor Zammit – who operated the dog – had been cautious when commenting that Star was making progress. He reiterated many times that the stress and trauma Star had undergone were so high that it was indeed a miracle that she had slowly started eating and drinking.

With her recovery, Star had showed the world that happy endings do exist in an otherwise cruel world. Her stort had touched people’s hearts at a time when headlines were dominated with uprisings, war and natural disasters.  

But Star’s sudden death dashed this hope, and shocked a nation.

Initially, Star had been showing signs of improvement, but during the last couple of days before her death she suddenly took a turn for the worse.

Director of the Animal Welfare Department Mario Spiteri said that during her last days, Star couldn’t keep her food down and had to be operated. Complications arose during the operation, and despite the efforts, she died soon after the operation.

Ironically, her death came less than 24 hours after a silent protest against animaly cruelty was held in Sliema. The protest attracted hundreds of people, who gathered together in Star’s name to underscore their belief that no type of cruelty is accepted in Malta.

Star has now become an embodiment of a growing popular movement demanding higher penalties for animal cruelty.

What shocked most people about this particular case was not that animal cruelty exists in Malta, but that people are capable to go to such sadistic lengths. Star had not only been shot but beaten, and the perpetrator even took time to bind all four of her legs to make sure she doesn’t escape. Even the way she was buried with her snout left protruding – suggests the intention to prolong her suffering.

And it was this horrific detail, captured in a shocking picture, which made Star’s story travel worldwide. From ABC in Australia, to The Sun, Sky News, NY Daily News – who called Star ‘Miracle Dog’ - Yahoo, The Daily Mail and the website of the International Animal Rescue all carried her story.

News of her death on Monday went viral on social networks like Facebook, which were indundated with tributes to Star: any showing anger at the as yet unidentified perpetrator, and sorrow at news of her death.

Malta is now hoping for the perpetrator to be caught – bringing not only closure but also the assurance that justice will be served.