A 50-year-old animal groomer was this morning acquitted of cruelty to animals.

Magistrate Anthony Vella said that the case against Mario Aquilina, of Hamrun had not been proven.

Mr Aquilina, the owner of the pet shop High Society Canine Beauty, had been accused of keeping dogs and cats in small, rusty and dirty cages. The Animal Welfare Department had raided his show following a number of complaints about the smell emanating from it.

Magistrate Vella gave a rundown of the evidence that had been given by witnesses and Mr Aquilina's defence.

Mr Aquilina had said that 11 of the 51 animals which had been found by department officers in his apartment were there for grooming and most of the others for washing.

As to the complaint that some animals did not have water in their cages, this was because they were there for grooming.

A number of Mr Aquilina's clients gave evidence saying it was not true that a strong animal smell emanated from the shop.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for the defence.