A couple who owned a pet shop in Sta Venera have been fined €500 for animal cruelty.

Francesca and Sandro Bonett from Sliema, 29 and 36 respectively, were found in possession of puppies and rabbits in cardboard boxes and with no food or water, while dogs were sitting in the sun in cages too small for them.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke heard that the Animal Welfare Department inspectors had investigated their shop acting on reports.

The couple denied the charges and produced two police officers who testified that they regularly went to the shop and noticed nothing abusive.

The magistrate chose to believe the animal welfare officers, who had photographic evidence.

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