Francesca and Sandro Bonett, the owners of a pet shop, have been fined €500 in total after they were found guilty of animal cruelty.

A court heard that Animal Welfare Department inspectors had investigated their shop and found dogs, puppies and rabbits held in small cages without water or food.

They also saw dogs being held in cages which were so small that they could not move.

Mr Bonett in his evidence presented two police offers who subsequently said they visited the shop frequently and never witnessed any cruelty.

However the Animal Welfare Department officers presented photographic evidence of their findings.

Defence counsel said there were no guidelines on the sizes of cages.

The court said that irrespective of whether or not such guidelines existed, animal cruelty or otherwise also depended on common sense and she therefore fined the couple €500.

 

 

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