A man who kept 21 goats and pigs illegally in a field in Qormi today had a fine of €4,000 reduced by half on appeal in order to conform with the law applicable at the time of the crime.

John Mary Caruana was arraigned last year after the animals were discovered by officials of the Veterinary Department and the police.

The court said that although the animals were not ill-treated, the court could not ignore the serious issue of public health since the animals were not registered.

The court added that the fact that the animals had been slaughtered without compensation to the owner was not sufficient punishment, despite the arguments of the defence, because of the seriousness of the case.