A man was this morning fined €800 after he was found guilty of cutting the tails of two puppies which he found in his field with their mother and decided to adopt.  

Gian Carlo Bonnici, 23, from Zejtun was found guilty of illegally carrying out a surgical intervention on the puppies, causing them undue pain and suffering. He was also found guilty of keeping the dogs without a licence and causing the dogs pain when he was responsible for their welfare. 

Magistrate Ian Farrugia heard how in February last year, animal rights volunteers came across an abandoned dog and six puppies in Marsaxlokk. Two of the puppies had their tails cut off and none of the animals had a microchip. 

They took the dogs to a sanctuary and when Mr Bonnici realised his dogs were missing, he went to the Zejtun police station to report them missing. It was then that he was informed about an ongoing police investigations regarding animal cruelty. 

Veterinary Ivan Galea testified that although there were signs of malnourishment, he found no indications or evidence of animal cruelty or abandonment. 

Magistrate Farrugia said the accused had admitted to cutting off the dogs' tails and told the accused that he would have avoided criminal proceedings had he sought help from professionals.

He also ruled that there was no animal cruelty in this case so he fined the man €800. 

Police Inspector Carol Fabri prosecuted.