Two men who shot a cat and a dog in separate incidents were given suspended jail terms, one of them also being fined €2,000, after they both admitted to animal cruelty.

Alfred Camilleri, 67, from Żabbar, shot a cat at his home with an air gun on the afternoon of May 11, 2011 after the animal attacked a number of pet birds he had on the roof.

The cat was hit on the head. It was operated upon shortly afterwards and made a full recovery. Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona handed down a six-month jail term suspended for one year and ordered the confiscation of the gun.

John Camilleri, 54, of Żurrieq shot a dog, injuring it in the head and legs on May 22, 2009. He claimed the dog was a threat to his farm animals.

The dog made a full recovery.

Magistrate Micallef Trigona handed down a one-year jail term suspended for two years and fined Mr Camilleri €2,000. He also ordered that the gun be confiscated.

Police Inspectors Arthur Mercieca and Robert Said Sarreo prosecuted.

Lawyers Edward Zammit Lewis and Peter Paul Zammit appeared for the men.

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