Officer describes 'horror' of finding dogs in tiny cages

An animal welfare officer this morning testified in court of his 'horror' in finding 25 dogs living in cages where in many cases they could not stand or walk.

The evidence was given during the arraignment of Mario Cutajar 43 of Birkirkara, who pleaded not guilty of animal cruelty.

The police are alleging that he kept the dogs, including fox terriers, in cages were were too small for them. The dogs were found in a raid on a garage between San Gwann and Birkirkara last April.

Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia said the raid was conducted following a call from an animal welfare officer who said the dogs were in poor condition in a garage.

Animal Welfare Officer Godric Marston said he and other officers had gone to inspect the garage and were horrified by what they found.

Most of the dogs, he said, could not stand in their tiny cages. The cages were extremely dirty and rusty and there was even a carcass of a horse. One of the dogs had its paws chopped off.

The dogs were all black with dirt, the animal welfare officer said, and they were in poor health. Raw, decomposing meat was found in some of the cages and most of the dogs had no water.

Mr Marston said another three dogs were found to be in good health.

See also:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090425/local/raid-on-canine-concentration-camp