Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1287818
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 13 SEPTEMBER 2020 NEWS CAREER OPPORTUNITY • Financial Controller (JobsPlus permit 514/2020) The Malta Development Bank (MDB) is a promotional bank set up by the Government of Malta in 2017 in terms of the Malta Development Bank Act, 2017 (CAP.574). The aim of the MDB is to complement commercial banks so as to bridge financial gaps in bankable investments, thereby supporting socio-economic development in Malta, with special focus on SMEs, inf rastructure, innovation, digitalisation, education, and other socially-oriented projects. The MDB is currently recruiting and invites applications f rom suitably qualified candidates with banking experience who are citizens of European Union Member States for the following vacancy: This post offers an excellent career opportunity and carries a very attractive remuneration package commensurate with qualifications and experience. A full job description of this post is available on the MDB's website: www.mdb.org.mt. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the MDB on careers@mdb.org.mt or on +356 2226 1700. Applications together with curriculum vitae and a copy of qualification certificates are to be submitted by Monday 5 October 2020 addressed to: The Chief Executive Officer, Malta Development Bank, Pope Pius V Street, Valletta VLT 1041 or via email on careers@mdb.org.mt Bad training can turn pit bulls into threatening animals MILAINE BUHAGIAR IS it nature or nurture? The death of a 92-year-old woman mauled by her grandson's pit bull terriers once again reig- nites a debate on the keeping of so called "dangerous dogs" in Malta. Unlike the UK, no specif- ic dog breed is banned under Maltese law, which gives the animal welfare director wide berth to define which animal is considered 'dangerous'. The UK's 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act on the other hand places the onus on dog owners to control pets which could injure, threat- en or attacks other animals or humans. Canine experts dispute punt- ers' fears of the aggressive-look- ing pit bull, a grouping of dogs that includes terrier breeds such as the Staffordshire Terri- er and Bull Terrier, the Amer- ican Pit Bull, Bulldog and Bull Terrier – all descendants of the 19th century dog-fighting cross of the Old English Bulldog and the Old English Terrier. "I'd like to say that no dog is aggressive by nature," says trainer and behaviourist Ele- onora Capobianco, a canine psychologist based in Malta. "The way a dog behaves is re- lated to the situation in which they are in. One must make a distinction between aggressive communication and aggres- sive behaviour. Any dog that is maltreated and badly kept is obviously not used to being in a social situation where there are dogs of different breeds." The defence of the pit bull also comes from owner Leigh Bishop, a dog trainer and ad- ministrator of the Facebook group Bullies, Pits and Staffies. "All dogs should be properly socialised from an early stage, with proper exercise, training and mental stimulation, as well as being brought up with all the love and care." But Bishop does concede that dogs can be aggressive geneti- cally. "Dogs can aggressive due to a myriad of reasons… It could be genetically, because they are bred from unsound dogs; or be- cause they are brought up in an unsatisfying environment. This unsatisfying environment in- cludes being physically abused or else having limited resourc- es and food." Bishop insists that pit bulls can be loving pets. "If bred soundly and brought up prop- erly, pit bulls are amazing, loving, caring and very gentle dogs. However, they have high prey drives and they need a lot of exercise and training so, ob- viously, whoever wants a real pit bull should have quite some knowledge on the needs of the breed before adopting or buy- ing one." Capobianco disputes asser- tions that the dogs' high prey drive is derived naturally. "In the past, these dogs were trained by their owners to be effective killers and this is what has led to the increase in their prey drive throughout the years. This is why we need to educate pit bulls from a very young age so that they are able to distinguish between that which they can see as prey and that which they cannot." That requires training them from an early age, when it is easier to control them, to so- cialise with other and to get used to the world around them, especially where there are chil- dren. "It's easier at a very young age since they're smaller and gentler. Trying to train and an adult pit bull is much harder," Bishop says. Even stray dog shelter keep- er Rosalind Agius, from the Association for Abandoned Animals, disputes the danger- ous tag pit bulls suffer. "We cannot be prejudiced against s as a breed because of how the two dogs at Msida reacted. It's unfair. The scars on the Msida dogs' face shows that perhaps these dogs were not brought up as they should have been. In the sanctuary, I have three pit bulls and I never had a problem with them. They get along very well with the other dogs and never cause me any trouble." Agius says the average size of the Maltese apartment might contribute to the lack of space that stifles the drive of the en- ergetic pit bull. Bishop advis- es pet owners to select only a breed that suits their lifestyle. "The disadvantage of adopting an adult pit bull could be that it might have a lack of socialisa- tion and training before adop- tion. "I have had a few clients with problematic strong dogs, who were all adopted after being brought up wrongly. However, most of them are now doing fine because of excellent train- ing and because the owners are catering for their dog's needs – and also because they love them." "In the past, these dogs were trained by their owners to be effective killers and this is what has led to the increase in their prey drive throughout the years. This is why we need to educate pit bulls from a very young age"