A pet groomer who owned a shop once described as a “concentration camp” has been acquitted of animal cruelty after the police failed to give details of the alleged abuse.

Mario Aquilina, 48, of Ħamrun, who owns High Society Canine Beautician in his home town, was arraigned after animal welfare officers raided the outlet on April 26, 2010 and allegedly found 51 animals in tiny rusted cages and sitting in their own excrement.

Magistrate Anthony Vella said that from the evidence produced, 11 dogs and cats were waiting to be groomed and the rest only needed a wash. These belonged to customers and only four of the dogs were actually owned by Mr Aquilina.

Animal welfare inspector, Emanuel Buhagiar, presented a report to the court listing the main issues. These were the small cages, a strong stench emanating from the shop and animals left without water, the magistrate said.

Testifying, Mr Aquilina denied that any of the animals were kept in a bad state and were all there for grooming, adding some had no water because of the type of grooming that had to be carried out.

In handing down judgment, the magistrate noted that the prosecution did not establish the size of the cages and whether they were in fact too small. Furthermore, there were no signs that the animals were actually badly treated.

It was not indicated which cages belonged to the customers and which belonged to Mr Aquilina. The prosecution should have pointed out which animals belonged to the accused and which were for sale. Also, the excrement described by the animal welfare officers, could not be seen in the photographs produced by the prosecution, the magistrate said.

As to the lack of water, the court said it was satisfied with the reasons given by the accused when he testified.

Mr Aquilina is facing another animal cruelty case in which he also allegedly attacked an officer inspecting his Ħamrun shop.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for the accused.