Current Situation.
Dogs are highly social animals. Humans have made them so when they domesticated them over thousands of years.

The Animal Welfare Act (CAP 439), takes this into consideration when it rightly so refers to the universally accepted five freedoms.

CAP 439 (8)(4) states “….animal needs include the provision of suitable environment, provision of a healthy diet, allowance for the animal to exhibit normal behavioural patterns, provision of suitable housing, segregation from other animals where necessary and protection from pain, suffering, injury and diseases.”

The Problem.
Many dogs in Malta and Gozo are kept on roofs, yards, and garages with very little human interaction. Dogs that are left in isolation with little to no companionship can develop severe emotional distress and sometimes even physical conditions. Lack of social bonding often leads to a depressed immune system which increases the chance of illness. In essence, left in isolation, even when provided with adequate shelter, food and water, can lead to weakness, aggression, depression and poor health.

Dogs are domestic animals and the very definition of the word ‘domestic’ refers to the running of a home and family relations. A yard, a roof or a garage are not part of any home; they are usually just an extension of it, reserved for unwanted stuff or stuff that needs to be kept out of sight.

In addition, dogs left alone on roofs, yards and garages are the number one cause of animal-related public disturbance.

Clearly this should not be a dog’s permanent home and as protectors of all animals, the Animal Welfare Directorate should not be condoning or even closing an eye on this practice.