A distressing video of a dog allegedly being abused has spurred on the police to investigate a potential case of animal cruelty in Malta, which has now uncovered several animals in poor condition.

Animal activists uploaded a video showing a woman confronting a man allegedly beating a dog, who can be heard whimpering. They also claimed that the dog, along with other animals, were being kept on a chain without any shelter from the elements.

Five dogs, some rabbits and birds, all of whom were in bad condition, were found on the construction site in Poala, according to TVM.

Officials from Animal Welfare have taken the animals to the veterinary hospital in Ta’ Qali. However, activists claim they informed the organisation of the abuse weeks ago.

“Utterly disgusted by animal welfare. A couple of weeks ago someone called me about a dog being chained on an abandoned building and also had no shelter at all,” an activist wrote on social media.

“ I emailed the assistant director the director of animal welfare and also the commissioner of animal welfare. The commissioner Denis Montebello replied that action should be taken immediately. This was on the 26th of October.”

“Now today 10th November I receive a phone call from a person crying hysterically that not only action wasn’t taken, but the dog was being beaten up by a stick.

“Its time to act!!!! Why are these people even being paid??”

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