A raid on a Birkirkara house ended up with the confiscation of 20 dogs which were found to be in varying degrees of poor conditions.

Conducted this afternoon, the raid saw Animal Welfare officials and police officers head to the house after an inspection last week found the irregularities.

Now under the custody of Animal Welfare, the dogs, all of different small breeds, are currently undergoung a number of tests conducted on them by vets to ascertain the type of care they need.

“We will always continue fighting to make sure we stop whoever is treating animals badly or is using them for ulterior motives,” said Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights Dr Alicia Bugeja Said in reaction to today’s raid. “I hope that exemplary punishment is given to whoever is allegedly doing such acts.”

Chief Veterinary Technical Officer Joseph Zammit, meanwhile, reminded people of the number of ways reports on similar cases can be done – either on the 1717 helpline, emails to the Animal Commissioner or his department, or even complaints from neighbours. “We’ve increased our car and ambulance fleet, along with our team, so we’re making sure to investigate every report we receive,” Zammit said.

This intervention was done by Animal Welfare with the assistance of the Police Department EPU.

An investigation is still underway.

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