A Gozitan butcher who made headlines after allegedly killing stray (and potentially sick) cats and dogs and selling them as sausages to his community might’ve closed his store years ago, locals have now said.

Reporting straight from the scene in the Xagħra’s pjazza, Lovin Malta’s Clara Sciberras went to investigate the sight of the notorious butcher… only to find the place closed, vacant and with dust building on the doors and windows.

When asked about the man behind the business and his suspected sinister dealings, everyone was very tight-lipped, but many were quick to point out that the store has been closed for at least six years now.

Earlier today, responding to the rumours which had been circulating on social media, local animal sanctuary Association for Abandoned Animals said “this is not a fictional story”, calling the man “an idiot and a savage” and saying “people were hospitalised” as a result of his meat.

Sources have since told Lovin Malta that this all kicked off last month, when a number of people were rushed to the Gozo General Hospital Emergency some three weeks ago.

Another source told Lovin Malta that, even though the store looks completely closed and abandoned, the butcher has been seen going inside at night, and that he was only selling sausages “on the side”.