Members of the public have appealed to local authorities to treat all animals equally and rescue them irrespective of whether they are registered or not.

Responding to comments by the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (S.F.E.S.A.) Commissioner, Tanuvasa Petone Mauga, members of the public have disagreed and called for equal treatment of all animals.

 Tanuvasa, when questioned by this newspaper on whether the S.F.E.S.A. would consider rescuing dogs in hazardous positions, said they can but only for registered and not stray dogs. The Commissioner's comments were made after a dog was found to have been trapped in the steep valley in Tapatapao last week.

Jolene Lui Yuen, 18, from Talimatau, told this newspaper that she is an animal lover and the S.F.E.S.A. is not being fair and should reconsider its position as all lives matter.

“As a lover of all animals, I believe the statement by our head firefighter is quite discriminatory. Official registration of animals is expensive and a luxury not all Samoan families can afford,” she said.

"A pet being registered or unregistered should not determine whether it should be saved from harm or not. Dogs, cats, chickens, and all pets are loved by Samoan families - and I believe the poor creature was stuck down there, sorely missed by someone and it should be rescued.”

David Fahina, 18, from Falelauniu, said only a small percentage of dogs in Samoa were registered and that most Samoans took care of their dogs that were bred in the family compound.

“All creatures are made the same and a title of being licensed or registered does not require any special privileges," he said. “Yes, it broke my heart because a cry for help should always acquire a helping hand. 

"Tanuvasa is not impartial in his opinion due to the fact that he is only rescuing registered dogs so if he wants to be impartial, he should rescue any dog, licensed or unlicensed. All dogs are equal and deserve love from everyone."

Roslyn Brunt, 64, from Faleula, who said she owns 10 dogs said she rescues dogs when she sees one begging for food, water, and shelter.

“In the past year, I have rescued a dog from Leauvaa Uta on our way to somewhere that I can’t recall. I saw a dog on the road all skinny looking for food and water. I stopped by and gave the dog water and food and put it in the car on our way to the vet and dropped it off there."