University Cats Killed and Tortured
A number of cats who roam the University of Malta have been found injured or killed on the University grounds during the past weeks. Steffi Borg, a 6th year Law student who found out about the cases of animal abuse on campus, told Insiter Online that University security guards have on more than one occasion found dead or injured cats, during the early hours of the morning, on campus.
Recently discovered cases included a cat found drowned in the university fountain and other cases of cats left injured with missing eyes or poisoned. Another cat, ‘Lady Monroe’, was found stoned to death beyond recognition and covered in soil with wheel signs all over its body.
All cases were reported to the police who have also offered to help security guards with rounds of patrol to assist in monitoring the campus.
Steffi Borg pointed out that cats around the University are used to people playing with them and feeding them daily, making them a defenceless target of those who find “such shameful acts amusing”. Each cat is known by a different name and are neutered and fed at an expense of the lecturers and students who care for them.
Security guards mentioned the “gangs” of skateboarders and bikers, who roam the University grounds after it is vacated by students and lecturers, as possible culprits of the constant vandalism and animal abuses. University lecturers also mentioned cases of stealing and refrained from working on weekends as they felt “intimidated”.
A Facebook group has been created, aiming at creating awareness about the issue and call for an increase of CCTV cameras installed around the campus for protection of the university grounds at all times. These security cameras, along with a request for an increase in security guard presence on campus, can help identify the perpetrators and act as a deterrent for future crimes.
KPS Social Commissioner Abigail Cremona assured students that the issue is being handled accordingly by the relevant entities; adding that a subcommittee is being set up to treat the issue of security.
… I will set up a subcommittee to discuss all this issue and ways how to improve security on campus, if the concern in question is security. … I`ve also spoke with the Security Department of University, who assured me that the situation is totally under control and that the cats on campus are well protected. I also spoke with the person who takes care of the cats on campus with Steffie and she also assured us that the cats are well protected. All parties are willing to contribute and if animal cruelty is present on campus, all of us are here to take immediate action to further ensure the protection and the welfare of cats on campus. I would like to thank Steffie for approaching us and for her dedication and cats towards animal welfare.
The group; “HELP SAVE UNIVERSITY CATS from CRUELTY!”, has gathered over 500 members over the past few hours.
See also: PCT Hunts Through Animal Cruelty Issues
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In view of these cats being killed who ever is, I would appreciate that CCTV be installed in all localities so that the persons that could have been involved could be traced and investigated.
At the same time the Campus would be under surveillance 24 hours and any abuse could be accounted for.
Let us hope that no excuses be made as this would mean also safety for the campus.
Mr J. Meli
Congratz on writing this article
Something I can say is as long as there are no cctv cameras, the cats are still in danger.
they wouldnt do that to me
sickos !!
Hey, to hell with privacy, cats are in danger :O
or we could ban all cars and rocks?
one nation under CCTV
viva il mentalita tal maltin
@Banksy, those who have nothing to hide should not be afraid!
I don’t like the idea of having CCTV cameras all around but an increase in security guards would be more than welcome. But who has the guts to treat these cats like that? They are adorable cuddling all the day. I’m not a fan of cats but they sure make you smile after a long day on campus.
My main point would be against animal cruelty, as I’m totally against it…but I’m sure there will be many to mention that.
So let me mention a point, for all animal haters.
If you hate animals, at least, think of the people who take care of the cats. For them, the cats are family. I can say this because I own a pet, and that’s what a pet becomes, family. You would not like it if I killed your siblings.
Also think of the occasional student or lecturer who enjoys feeding a cat in between a couple of boring lectures.
And if you despite animals so much, and you don’t treat them as living things, then think of your car. Think of your expensive TV. Think of your home. Would you like it if I damaged it? So don’t damage other people’s pets.
Last point…remember that such actions (even if you don’t care about animal feelings) are morally wrong, and only people with mental problems enjoy torture on other living creatures. So seek help from a doctor.
@ Banksy, what are you afraid of?
Everybody loves his privacy but, if this will help catch the culprits off such an idiotic act, I can even pay from my stipends to help increase their security!
I am a skateboarder that has been goin to the msida skate park for a number of years now.
First of all I am appalled to hear that such disgracful acts have taken place. Feeling very strongly about animal cruelty I am in shock to hear that the fingers are being pointed at people like myself, with no sufficient proof other then the grudge the security officers on campus might have against the skaters/riders.
I have asked around, hoping that the identity of whoever was behind this, will be revealed, but so far no luck. You can rest assure that if any information comes up the authorities will be the first to know.
I can only hope that the people who did this will be put to justice so that this horrible act will not be repeated.
@Zach Perici Calascione, as you can note in the article, our sources mentioned the bikers/skateboarders as POSSIBLE culprits because these groups are present at uni during the days and hours when the university is vacated.
I can confirm what I just said as I once had a seminar on a Saturday morning and these groups were present all day … and had a meeting at the quad (outside canteen) during the summer and a group of bikers were taking vids of them carrying out stunts. Also saw these groups myself at night practicing their sports.
Despite this, the article is NOT putting blame on the skaters/bikers but mentions their presence which CAN be associated with the happenings.
ALso, even if these acts have been carried out by a group of skaters or bikers, this does not mean that ALL skaters and bikers are animal haters or abusers.
Thanks.
With all the pressure on increasing security in paceville area, after a youth was severely injured, having police offering service of patrol on campus to watch over cats is definitely the way to go.
p.s.
I am totally against this bitter torture but this is going too much now
This Finger-Pointing Towards Skateboarders & BMx’ers who Happen to Be in the Vicinity of the University of Malta for Good Reason May I add, As there is The Only Legitimate spot Skateboarders & BMX’ers Can Enjoy their Sport Without Be Harassed (I Thought Until Now!!!),WILL NOT DO!!! This All Sounds Very Fishy to Me & I Very Well Suspect That There are Ulterior Motives Here At Play…I Sincerely Can Vouch for ALL The Skateboarders & Bikers I Know Personally, & these are quite a few…with regard to “The Security Guards” Making Mention of Us as the possible Culprits…THINK AGAIN…Until recently These Security Guards (Not through their own fault) were armed with TASER GUNS & I personally Know Someone who was threatened with one for simply making use of the UoM ATM because he wielded a skateboard in one of his arms…also I once was not allowed access to my car at the university ring-road for the same reason even though i explained that i am a university employee and left it there simply to avoid parking elsewhere on a very busy car-day…having said that…I do not believe that the security guards are the ultimate culprits at shedding bad light on positive sports & activities nearby UoM Campus…but that there are figures at play to discredit skateboarding & BMXing for other obscure reasons….who knows??? Now Regarding the Actual Animal Abuse…I would Strongly suggest you involve Forensics…even though it might take some time to identify the culprits…it will show up eventually & that would be Hard Evidence…which I agree should be punishable with a prison sentence…I’ve been Skateboarding for over 20 years in Malta & I have never seen or heard mention of anyone of the Skaters or bikers abusing of an animal…We spare the abuse for our own bodies as in pushing our sport to the limit…nothing else…when will the witch-hunt end??? Some common sense here please because it’s seriously lacking!!! Stop Believing Such Far-fetched claims & rely on what you know…People who torture animals are evidently frustrated in some way…Practising Sports like skateboarding or BMX’ing channels such remotely possible frustrations “a priori” …I hardly think that one of us is going to have like a 3 hour skateboarding or BMX’ing session 7 then think “What shall I do now…oh the cats at UoM” …Give me a break!!! & please also refrain from using the derogatory term Gang when referring to Skateboarding & BMX’ing…putting the Cats (which I Love) for a second…this is simply a case of Wronging others by any means possible!!! there are 2 types of culprits at play here those who picked on the cats & those who picked on us…I sincerely hope that they are not one & the same because then I would be really ashamed to live in Malta!!!
@ Banski…I think you hit the nail on the head…CCTV by any means possible!!!
@ Robert Angelone: the term gang is written as a quote hence the ” ” – I personally have no prejudice against any sort of differences in our country; being political, racial, religious or any other belief.
There is no hidden agenda in my article.
@Emanuel Scicluna
We will be treating the said issues shortly; keep updated via our Facebook page.
thanks,
Jake
The Editor
What an utter disgrace.
I cannot put it into words how disgraceful hurting innocent animals is especially animals as lovely and as harmless as cat. I, just like most of the people who have posted a comment here attend university and I honestly love each and every one of the cats found on campus so as you might imagine I am a bit hurt by such dispicable acts. Not only are the cats on campus extremely friendly but they also give life to the place.
I sure hope that the number of CCTV cameras on campus increase after such a disgraceful act. I never felt more strongly about this as of now especially after considering that I’ve had vandalism performed on my brand new car twice and have had some of my possesions stolen but I honestly don’t care about these/things relating to myself; but when it comes to animal cruelty, measures MUST be taken and therefore the problem should be tackled head on and harsh penalties should be imposed on any offenders.
Yes , yet you seem to specifically choose the word “gang”. whether it is in inverted commas or not , the word denotes a criminal organization.
There are plenty of other words you could have used such as:
“group”
“party”
“ring”
“clique”
First things First…Whoever Accused Skateboarders & BMX’ers that make use of the Skate-park nearby made a serious mistake, apart from other things…This will not stand…If you cannot admit this as a grave “mistake” on your behalf…then I’m sorry but what you say here is entirely irrelevant as it simply does not base itself on any coherent dealings with matters…let’s begin with calling a spade a spade…rather than tactics of subterfuge…You Denounce Animal Cruelty & yet you do not hesitate to shed bad light upon hundreds of skateboarders & BMX’ers Across the Island/s…What’s that supposed to mean? This does not make you so much better than perpetrators of heinous crimes against innocent animals does it? I know this sounds harsh, but the truth often does…Yes, I am sorry but this is again unfortunately a case of Yes, Simply because you can or can get away with it…what’s the use of pointing fingers in the wrong direction may I ask? Unless of course there is a Hidden Agenda (not so hidden may I add) & I never said that the agenda was contained in the article itself but the scope of putting blame on the local skateboarders & BMX’ers Utilising the skate-park nearby & who yes make use of the ring-road simply for safer access to & from it…The near-sightedness of some simply appals me sometimes, the truth is quite simple and I will illustrate it for you right here…there are some that work at the university that want to snob skateboarding & BMX’ing simply because it may be the case that a set of steps or a handrail proves itself irresistible to try out when nobody’s around and might leave some scratched off 10 year old paint or end up with a chipped edged of a step at worst…and obviously this is coined as vandalism…oh well, we then fail to see the uprooting of 500 year-old trees and the total disregard for dust containment in the revamping of the university or other disregard for other health hazards that range from the mismanagement of noxious chemicals to severe noise pollution…Apart from being an avid skateboarder I’ve been a university employee for the last 16 years…Why I or anyone else cannot walk through the University Campus with a Skateboard under his arm or on a BMX for that matter without feeling threatened simply boggles my mind…if it was a fire-arm I would understand…but it’s a skateboard or BMX…are we on the same planet or what???
Check the latest article here … includes reference to skaters and bikers:
http://insiteronline.com/features/security-on-campus-the-inside-view/
Thanks
That is just pure Evil