Watch: Bella The Dog Saved From ‘Deliberate Starvation’ – But Her Owner Escaped Punishment
The Association for Abandoned Animals took to social media earlier today to share Bella’s heart-wrenching story – which has thankfully not ended in tragedy, but arguably, injustice.
Before Animal Welfare was called to confiscate Bella from her abusive former owner, she was being “deliberately starved to death” – and her tormentor has not had to face any consequences.
Over the past five months, Bella has made great progress under the care of the voluntary group, which aims to restore lives for an uncountable amount of strays.
And while the AAA did not put this owner’s name on blast, it heavily lamented the state of Malta’s animal rights enforcement policies.
Animal rights activists have long told Malta that animal sanctuaries are beyond breaking point – being held together only by the generosity of volunteers and donors.
Faced with this overburdened system, a negligent pet owner who decided that they no longer wished to take care of their pet might choose to starve or kill them, before disposing of them like garbage.
“Malta, a country where enforcement on animals is one big zero, or if it happens, it happens at a snail’s pace around five years later,” said the AAA on social media.
Bella’s former owner has not been fined, nor has seen a day in court, and in the words of the AAA “is free to abuse new dogs”.
This dog was saved by Animal Welfare’s timely confiscation and the report which led to it. Bella’s story might remind us all to be vigilant about reporting anyone we know to be abusive towards animals.
It also clearly points towards the necessity of properly resourcing Animal Welfare and volunteer organisations while ensuring that there will be accountability in any case of dangerous negligence or explicit abuse towards animals.
The video posted by AAA shows a very different Bella to the near-starved dog they saved five months ago. She’s a healthy, bouncing, energetic and happy dog, who fetches her toy before victoriously tossing it around – and having a well-earned little lie-down.
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