Residents have raised concerns about the condition of Qala’s dog park, describing the area as neglected, unsafe and in urgent need of maintenance.Photos shared online show broken dog waste bins, damaged equipment, overgrown vegetation and debris scattered around the site, which forms part of Ġnien il-Familja in Qala.In a Facebook post that has attracted attention from locals, one resident described the park as “truly unbelievable”.“Everything is broken and unsafe, not just for dogs but even for kids, adults and the elderly,” the post read.The resident also pointed to overgrown grass and trees, blocked pathways and broken doors, claiming the area has not seen maintenance since it was officially inaugurated.The dog park was opened on 17th November 2021 as part of a family-friendly recreational space for residents and visitors.Responding to the criticism, Qala Mayor Paul Buttigieg said the Local Council is currently working on plans for a major upgrade of Ġnien il-Familja.The mayor explained that funding for the project has already been secured and that the council is going through the necessary planning, procurement and administrative procedures before works can begin.“While some may choose to say that nothing is happening, a lot is actually happening behind the scenes,” he said.He added that modern public projects require approvals, tendering processes and other regulatory obligations before work can commence, arguing that these procedures help ensure public funds are managed transparently and correctly.According to the mayor, once the planning process is completed, the necessary tenders will be issued so the project can move forward.“The work is underway, the funding has been secured, and the Council is working towards delivering a substantially improved Ġnien il-Familja for the community,” he said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lovin Malta (@lovinmalta)Local councillor Valerie Cassar Mejlak also weighed in on the controversy, saying the state of the dog park has been raised multiple times during Qala Local Council meetings.“The issue concerning the dog park has been discussed several times during Qala Local Council meetings. At the time, the council took credit for the project, yet now it is saying that the upkeep and maintenance of the dog park are not the council’s responsibility,” Mejlak said.Mejlak argued that the issue reflects a wider problem within the locality, claiming that concerns are frequently discussed but rarely acted upon.“Unfortunately, this is part of a wider problem. A lot is discussed during council meetings, but far too often, very little is actually implemented. Issues are raised meeting after meeting, yet the same concerns have to be repeated over and over again without any action being taken.”“Qala is becoming increasingly neglected. The village is dirty, there is a lack of new projects, and there appears to be very little planning or vision for the community.”Mejlak also called for greater accountability and transparency within the local council, arguing that residents deserve to see tangible results from issues raised during meetings.“Residents deserve better. Council meetings should not simply be a place where issues are discussed month after month; they should be followed by action, accountability and results.”As debate continues over responsibility for the site’s upkeep, residents are hoping improvements arrive sooner rather than later, particularly where safety concerns have been raised for both people and pets.What do you make of this?•