Man charged with animal cruelty

A man from Hamrun is pleading not guilty to animal cruelty.

Taking the witness stand in the compilation of evidence against animal groomer Mario Aquilina, 48, who was also charged with operating a pet shop without a license, Emanuel Buhagiar, from the Animal Welfare Department, said that on April 26, the department raided his shop, High Society Canine Beauty, at Hamrun, following a number of complaints about the smell emanating from it.

Inside the shop, department officers found 51 animals, including cats, dogs, three rabbits and a rooster, not all of which were for sale.

The animals were in very small cages, including rusty ones. Some did not have water or food, there was lack of ventilation and some cages were left dirty with animal waste.

Drs Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri were defence counsel.