A karozzin driver who whipped his horse as it lay quivering in pain after collapsing from dehydration in the mid-summer heat was yesterday fined €2,000.
Carmel Mallia, 35, from Valletta, was fined after Magistrate Audrey Demicoli heard that veterinary surgeon Gareth Grech had found the horse in so much pain that its limbs were outstretched and was shaking right up to its shoulder.
Mr Mallia was returning to his stables on noticing that the horse did not look well. In fact, it collapsed in Marina Street, Pietà on July 6, 2011.
Despite administering painkillers and an hour-and-a-half of care, Dr Grech decided to euthanise the horse because it was suffering too much and close to death.
By using a pipe inserted through the horse’s nose and into its stomach, Dr Grech established that there was nothing but dried food and the animal was showing severe signs of colic, fatigue and dehydration.
It was very bloated, breathing deeply and at a high frequency and was also straining to excrete.
Dr Grech said that after carrying out the examination he had suggested that the horse was put in an upright position and Mr Mallia began repeatedly whipping the animal and the vet ordered him to stop.
A policeman who was directing traffic also ordered him to stop hitting the animal.