A man whose failure to control his vicious dogs earned him a suspended sentence last week was back in court today, charged with a similar offence. 

David Farrugia, from Gżira, once more had to face the music after his dangerous mastiffs pounced on a pedestrian last July, inflicting serious injuries which landed the victim in hospital. The man suffered bites to his hands and legs and had to spend five days in hospital.

READ: Vicious dogs taken away from their Gżira owner

The court, presided by magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo, heard the victim recall how he had first been attacked by a white mastiff. The ferocious beast was then joined by two other dogs, making it impossible for him to fend off the aggressive attack.

Mr Farrugia did not contradict the victim's version of the alleged attack and the court observed that the dog owner had faced similar charges during previous arraignments.

Bearing in mind that the victim had been certified as having suffered slight injuries, the court declared Mr Farrugia guilty and imposed a six-month jail term suspended for four years.

Addressing the issue of the dogs in question, the court observed that although the law in such circumstances stipulated that the animals were to be put down, this measure was "too draconian."

“Dogs love and obey their owners and behave according to the manner in which they were brought up and taught, therefore animals should not be punished for the mistakes of human owners," the court remarked.

Following in the footsteps of the court of appeal, the magistrate ordered the removal and appropriate rehoming of the dogs by the Animal Welfare Department.