A man in his mid-40s is today expected to be arraigned in connection with the brutal torture suffered by Star, the dog found buried alive near Għar Ħasan last month.

The suspect, Alfred Vella, 44, the owner of the field in Birżebbuġa where Star was found, was arrested yesterday, police sources told The Times. Members of his family were also interviewed at police headquarters

Animal Welfare Department director Mario Spiteri, who was extremely satisfied with this development, confirmed the man had been caught following the hard work of the department and the determination of Inspector Ramon Mercieca, who led the police investigations.

Sources told The Times that the mixed breed dog had been in the hands of the same owner for 10 years. However, it started shedding a lot of fur and the owner could not cope, so it was handed over to Mr Vella.

The image of Star’s nose, bound with string and poking through the soil as it gasped for air, appeared in the media on May 14, prompting hundreds of people to take to the streets in protest against animal cruelty. The dog’s muzzle, front and hind paws had been bound before it was shot in the head and buried in the shallow grave, left for dead.

The perpetrator made sure there was no way she could be found because a square piece of plywood was placed over the burial place and a tree trunk lifted on top of it for good measure.

Through sheer luck, animal welfare officers received an anonymous tip-off about three neglected dogs in Birżebbuġia, on the way to Għar Ħasan. That was when they heard muffled whimpering that led them to the gruesome find – against all odds, the dog had survived.

Everyone had cheered when Star started making a recovery and she became an instant celebrity, making headlines in Malta and across the globe. However, the dog, which had become a symbol against animal cruelty, died three weeks later, just a day after the protest.