A dog breeder has been given some time to improve the living conditions of the 44 dogs in his possession or Animal Welfare Department officers will take them away.

The department raided a villa in Birkirkara on Monday after it received several anonymous calls from people in the vicinity who complained about the dogs, said Godric Marston, an animal welfare officer.

The officials, accompanied by police, found 28 dogs in a garage and 16 on the roof of the property in Psaila Street, corner with G. Dimech Debono Street.

Vet Duncan Chetcuti Ganado said he checked the animals and found they were in good health. There were a few which were underweight but these just needed a different diet.

There was one dog which seemed to have a condition in its spine. He said the breeder showed him a vet certificate to prove it was undergoing some form of treatment.

Dr Chetcuti Ganado said the garage lacked ventilation although the dogs on the roof had fans and a green sun shade to keep them cool. No further details about the conditions were given.

The breeder, Freddie Falzon, was ordered to improve general conditions in which the dogs were kept, particularly in the garage. Another spot check will follow in a week or so. If the situation does not improve, the dogs will be confiscated.

Mr Marston said the dogs were very friendly, including a Japanese Akita, which was rarely friendly.

One neighbour told The Times the dogs barked all day and night and the smell emanating from the garage and the roof was unbearable.