Two men were today condemned to suspended jail terms for having shot at animals in an attempt to scare them away.

John Camilleri, 54 of Zurrieq, was condemned to a six month suspended jail term and fined €2,000 for shooting at a dog which was scaring his animals in a field. The dog, which belonged to third parties, was hit by shotgun pellets in the head and a leg but recovered after treatment.

Mr Camilleri admitted animal cruelty and illegal possession of a weapon. The case happened in May 2009.

In a separate case, Alfred Camilleri, 67 of Zabbar was handed a six month suspended jail term for having shot at a cat with a shotgun. The court heard that the accused shot at the cat after it killed some birds he kept in cages on the roof of his house. 

The cat was operated on and has also recovered.