Four fat boars squealed and grunted loudly as animal welfare officers tried to guide them out of an illegal scrap yard in Ħal-Farruġ which they had just raided.

One pig tried to slip away from a ramp that led to the truck, leaving the wary animal welfare people with no choice but to grab it by whatever they could lay their hands on – the ears and the tail – making for quite an unkind looking scene.

In all, four pigs, 11 mountain goats and around six dogs, including a pit bull terrier, were confiscated from the Luqa property belonging to Anthony Pace from Qormi. The rest, about 50 pigeons, 50 cockerels and some chickens, are expected to be confiscated today.

The most surprising find was that of explosive powder, at first suspected to be gunpowder. Lab tests are still underway but the powder is now believed to be related to fireworks.

Welfare officer Godric Marston said the department had been keeping a close watch on the property after receiving complaints.

The pigs and goats were found wallowing in dirt and excrement and kept without the necessary permits. They will be examined by a government vet today.

“We received various reports. We have been following him for a month and then decided to raid the place,” he said. “The dogs were suffering. They had no shelter, no water and no food,” Mr Marston said. The officers also found an injured honey buzzard full of lead pellets in a tree and later handed it over to BirdLife Malta where it was seen by a vet.

A spokesman for BirdLife said the bird had old shotgun injuries and had severely damaged feathers. It had also been kept in captivity.