http://www.planetmona.com/ 3204-225 http://www.planetmona.com/opinions-on-planetmona/76-nature/3204-no-dogs-allowed Like I said the leash laws have very valid reason to be in force. Not all the people like dogs and not all the people are comfortable with them. We have to respect this. The whole point is that if you are to strictly enforce laws than you should look at the issue from all sides and provide a solution which would fit all involved parties. And most importantly regulate dog ownership since clearly many people who have pets are not fit (one way or another ) to own them. Raising the consciousness and knowledge being the key issue. As for the cue 'if you don't like it go home' this is something that I regard as part of island's charm. Once you are aware what it takes for someone to voice 'argument' like this you can only feel compassion for such an individual and you take it in your stride same as you take dog's poo. Similarly raising-the-awareness-and-knowledge formula can be applied as a solution. In that vein, perhaps a little anecdote is in order: A friend of mine who is Maltese, Tal Pepe maybe but nevertheless born and breed Maltese finds his car blocked by vehicle plastered with tattoo signs and silly quotes ( of course in English). So he starts honking. Very soon an angry troll, plastered with tattoos and gold same as his car, appears and the first thing he says in English - after the barrage of cuss in Maltese - is of course: "Go Home!" To which my friend calmly replies: "I 'd like to, but you are blocking my car" Go figure - or should I say X'affarijet dawn! ]]> Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:06:06 -0500 3204-208 http://www.planetmona.com/opinions-on-planetmona/76-nature/3204-no-dogs-allowed While I agree that dogs should be well treated and not harmed, I also do not favour the majority of dog owners that allow there dogs roaming about and leaving there pooh all over the place. Although the Local Council of Birkirkara provided a doggy loo in a green spot near St Alosyous Square close to the college, you have to see it to belive it. This spot in a state of disgrace, who ever is to blame I do not know but there is doggy pooh all over the soft area. Surely if the dog owners of this area have any interest they should ensure that this spot is kept in good order. Above all more Local Councils should take up the idea and find a spot for these doggy loos. As for dogs if they should be on a leash or not, it is mostly worldwide accepted that dogs are not allowed to be without a leash, especailly in habitate and populated areas. Not necessary to be tied on a long leash in a front Garden behind a gate as a guard dog. ]]> Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:36:26 -0500 3204-207 http://www.planetmona.com/opinions-on-planetmona/76-nature/3204-no-dogs-allowed I'm not sure you can have it both ways...either you can "take pride in evading oppressive laws" including clearing up after your dog or, as appears to be the case in the whole of Malta, not just Sliema, pick and choose according to the day of the week/prevailing weather conditions or which side of the bed you got out of this morning! Stricter enforcement of ALL laws is what seems to this outsider to be necessary before Malta can become the jewel of the Med' which it should, and easily could be. With a massive floating vote it's got to be pretty easy to change the policies one disagrees with, rather than taking the easy route of disregarding them...not very Christian either! (cue the usual cries of 'if you don't like it, go home etc....) ]]> Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:30:37 -0500