A Żejtun dog breeder who kept and abused eight dogs in his residence will be charged in court. 

The dogs were confiscated earlier this week following a joint operation between the Environmental Health Department and Animal Welfare who found the dogs living in squalor on Triq Tony Zahra. 

Following the operation, four dogs were taken in by the Association for Abandoned Animals, who have highlighted the extent of the abuse the animals endured. 

“Saying they are in terrible condition is not even explaining it,” the NGO said in a Facebook post.

One dog, Ollie, is in a severe state and is currently undergoing medical treatment with the possibility of having both of his eyes removed. 

“Completely blind with one eye beyond infected and the other burst. The vet will decide if both eyes need to be removed or just one,” the AAA said. 

“The pain he must be in is terrible. Leishmania positive (sandfly), rotten teeth and gums, and he suffers just to eat.”

According to animal activist Alison Bezzina, this specific case was reported as early as November last year, and was meant to be presented in court, but was deferred to a later date.

“Mr. Noel Montebello, Director of Animal welfare asked the court to let Animal Welfare seize the dogs and also explained that they had already arranged for NGOs to re-home them, a fact which I have verified is true,” she said in her blog post.

“Despite the case being about live, breathing and feeling creatures, the magistrate deferred the case to March 16th 2020. That’s another 120 days of torture for these dogs! How’s that for justice delayed and justice denied?”

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the case was delayed even further with the breeder being allowed to continue his operations until the other day when Animal Welfare seized the animals.

According to Animal Welfare, the Żejtun dog breeder will now face charges in court.

Animal Welfare has recently been under the microscope following an incident involving two dogs that attacked and killed a 95-year-old woman the other week.

The organisation has been criticised for not taking action against the dog owner despite multiple reports over the years that he was housing dogs in awful conditions on the roof of the building.

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