Man accused of pet shop owner assault

Robert Silvio Zammit, 43 of Birkirkara was accused today of having assaulted and slightly injured petshop owner Kevin Tanti in an incident yesterday morning.

Police Inspector Bernardi Spiteri said the incident, which took place  at Pet Market in Naxxar, followed months of argument between the two over the fact that Mr Tanti breeds dogs at his residence, situated near Mr Zammit's house in Birkirkara. Another court case where Mr Zammit had sued Mr Tanti is pending.

Yesterday's clash was sparked off when Mr Zammit learned about comments involving him which Mr Tanti allegedly told a third person. Zammit went to Mr Tanti's shop and beat him up, the police inspector said.

In pleas on bail, defence counsels Chris Cardona and Joseph Arrigo said their client in a restaurateur employing 23 people and does not have a criminal record.

Bail was granted against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €5,000/