Watch: MSPCA Saves Abandoned Gudja Dogs, Discovers Horse Corpse, After Authorities Turn A Blind Eye
Content warning: this article contains images some viewers may find disturbing
Four tame yet flea-infested dogs that were abandoned in a burnt Gudja field after their owner suddenly disappeared have been rescued by MSPCA officers in a multi-day operation, all without any state support.
Though they are in need of some medical treatment, a proper wash and are slightly confused, the four dogs are healthy and in good spirits. Footage shared to Lovin Malta by the MSPCA show the four dogs in a clean, safe, calm environment.
However, this was only after MSPCA volunteers spent days locating and trapping the dogs.
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The MSPCA’s Animal Rights Manager Althea Galea, who was on site for the rescue, told Lovin Malta that the group spent six days straight looking for the dogs, waking up at 4am each day to get to work.
“Until we caught them, we provided fresh food and water each day, as well as checking the traps constantly. It was not an easy operation, especially in this heat – but the dogs are currently at the MSPCA where they will be treated and rehabilitated,” she said with relief following the successful, but tiring, operation.
The Gudja case first drew attention after a local repeatedly called the Animal Welfare Directorate in regards the dogs, urging them to step in after the elderly owner suddenly stopped appearing to tend to them, with fears that the owner may have died.
Even worse is the fact that the field caught on fire since the local’s initial report, making the situation even more dire; the dogs only had a burnt out vehicle’ chassis to use as shade in the field.
However, with authorities unwilling to step in, MSPCA took it upon themselves to ensure the dogs didn’t become strays or become fatally infected with fleas or ticks.
Incredibly, as MSPCA searched the fields, they discovered the grisly remains of a horse in a dark room, with early indications pointing towards the animal – believed to have been a pony – having starved to death.
However, the MSPCA were told that not much could be done about the horse remains as they were in a “private field”.
Galea said this was just one of a series of cases where the MSPCA need to step in due to cases not being handled by authorities.
Just like in other cases, the MSPCA will be paying for any and all treatments the Gudja dogs need – and they’ve urged the public to support their ongoing efforts by donating to the MSPCA if it’s within their means.
Donate to MSPCA via the following methods:
Have you experienced an emergency related to animals that you’d like to recount to Lovin Malta? Contact [email protected] to speak in confidence
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