A man was yesterday fined €800 after he was found guilty of cutting the tails off two puppies which he had found in his field with their mother.

Gian Carlo Bonnici, 23, from Żejtun, was found guilty of illegally carrying out the surgical intervention on the puppies and causing them undue pain and suffering.

He was also found guilty of keeping the dogs without a licence and causing the dogs harm when he was responsible for their welfare. One of the dogs had developed an infection.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia heard how in February last year, animal rights volunteers came across an abandoned dog and six puppies in the area of Tas-Silġ 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 Żejtun police station to file a report. It was then that he was informed about an ongoing police investigation regarding animal cruelty.

Vet 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 and fined the man €800.

Police Inspector Carol Fabri prosecuted.