A man who had 25 cats and 12 dogs in his Marsa residence was today fined €100 and ordered to relocate his animals after a court ruled that the stench and “constant” barking emanating from a house was inconveniencing neighbours.

Agostino Borg, 53, allowed the situation to degenerate to such an extent that people living in the vicinity could not even open their window due to the smell of excrement.

Mr Borg was found guilty of discarding garbage in the street, failing to stop his pets from annoying neighbours. He was, however, cleared of breaching the public peace.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras heard how the police began investigating when they received several complaints from neighbours in Triq San Frangisk, Marsa. She also heard how Mr Borg had named the animals after his neighbours.

The magistrate fined him €100 and ordered that the animals be removed from the residence within three months. She also recommended that the Commissioner for Animals assists Mr Borg with finding suitable alternative accommodation for them.

Lawyer Marion Camilleri appeared for Mr Borg while lawyer Joe Mifsud represented some 15 residents who collectively filed a complaint against Mr Borg.

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