A large pit bull terrier was this morning rescued from a wartime shelter where it had been locked for several days.

The rescue was made by officials of the Animal Welfare Department and the police after a tip-off.

The dog was chained to a chair inside the dark shelter at Jews Sally Port in Valletta. It wagged its tail furiously as it was let out and given food.

The officials said it had had no food or water. Although there was a bowl near the dog, it was empty.

The dog, which had signs of an old injury on its back, was taken to Ghammieri farm.