Dogs' reprieve extended

A magistrate yesterday heard how Island Sanctuary were willing to build a fence within which a man, charged with failing to restrain his dogs, could keep the animals, if the Malta Environment and Planning Authority granted the permit.

Police Inspector Yvette Farrugia told Magistrate Antonio Mizzi that Island Sanctuary had offered to build the fence for free to provide a safe place where Giuseppi Salerno could keep his dogs. The fence would keep the dogs off the streets, where they might be hazardous and help prevent the option of putting them down.

Salerno, 78, of Fgura is pleading not guilty to failing to restrain his dogs, one of which bit a neighbour.

During yesterday's court sitting Salerno, who spoke from the dock, said he loved his dogs and was ready to die for them. He explained that although only four were actually his he looked after another 16 dogs.

He added he suspected that the dog that bit his neighbour was a vicious animal that had been left with him, although he did not want the dog.

Dr Edward Gatt, for the neighbour, said that media reports had failed to give weight to the fact that his client had been bitten by one of the dogs while she was on her way shopping.

Magistrate Mizzi ruled he would wait to see how the matter evolved before moving on to give judgment and added that he hoped for a solution that would keep the dogs off the streets without harming them.

The case was put off to April 16.