Owner of illegal Marsa animal sanctuary conditionally discharged

A man who owns 25 cats and twelve dogs has been handed a two-year conditional discharge after a court found him guilty on charges of breaching public order and sanitary laws for the second time in as many months.

Agostino Borg, 54 had appeared before Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras charged with causing a noisy disturbance during the night time, breaching public order, depositing animal excreta in a public place and harassing his neighbours.

Last month Borg was fined €100 by the same magistrate and ordered to find alternative accommodation for his animals within three months. This deadline remains in effect, with Borg today being ordered to re-home his animals within two months.

Twelve neighbours testified to the incessant barking of Borg’s many dogs and the foul smells emanating from his residence, an injustice which they had to suffer for many years.

The court heard how from around 4:30 AM, the accused could be heard shouting and swearing at the animals, behaviour which would sometimes carry on for the rest of the day. “It was impossible to open a window because of the smell,” one had said.

The magistrate was told how the accused would regularly shout provocative comments while addressing his dogs. “Shout all you like,” one witness said he would tell his barking dogs, “because we can do what we like.”

Borg is appealing both sentences.

Lawyer Marion Camilleri defended Borg, while Lawyer Joe Mifsud appeared in parte civile on behalf of the neighbours.