MP PN Janice Chetcuti called for the regulation and enforcement on dog breeders in lieu of Animal Welfare’s recent confiscation of a number of bully breed dogs who were being abused and neglected in Ħaż-Żebbuġ.
She said: “I congratulate Animal Welfare for saving these dogs and, in the name of animal lovers, I urge them to take the next step and charge the people who abused these dogs. I expect this case to serve as an example to people who expose animals to abuse and excess pain.”
She also related a personal story of how she had once bought Max, a pit bull, for a large sum of money, which was being trained as a combat dog “dummy.”
Today, Janice Chetcuti also happened to own a pit bull, and she “warned that breeders are giving a bad name to the breed and that the end result is many animal sanctuaries packed with unwanted dogs.”
“These individuals, I don’t even want to keep calling them people, who abuse of this beautiful, intelligent and sensitive race of dog are managing to create monsters out of beautiful animals.”
“Nowadays, sanctuaries are packed with dogs that no one wants. Even though sanctuaries do their utmost to give these dogs the best possible life, no dog should live their whole life in a sanctuary.”
“Dogs belong in our homes, not on the roof or the garden or a field, but in our homes as part of the family. I have an American bully as a family member, but many people acquire these dogs to look cool when walking through the streets, but then they discard them, breed them, and ruin their lives as well as the reputation of the breed.”
When I was still in my twenties, and I used to train at the old gym in Ta’ Qali, I used to meet Ms. Chetcuti and we had become friends. We also used to talk about sports, the love we had towards animals and any other topic in between. I remember she had a Rottweiler once too. And I had even attended her wedding.
From here, I would like to thank her for speaking up in favour of animals and the duty of politicians to protect them through laws and their reinforcement.
God bless you, Janice Chetcuti.