Man ordered to relocate 37 animals out of his residence

A court has given an inconsiderate and abusive neighbour three months to find alternative housing for his 25 cats and 12 dogs after finding him guilty of causing a nighttime disturbance, breaching the peace and neglectfully allowing his animals to create an inconvenience to his neighbours.

Magistrate Natasha Sciberras had heard how police had received a report during January 2014 about noise and foul smells emanating from the Marsa residence of Agostino Borg.

A police sergeant testified how he and another officer had gone to investigate the report and could hear the barking from 80-100 metres away. Such were the noxious smells and din caused by the animals that it was impossible to communicate and that he in fact had to move approximately ten metres away from the dwelling to speak to the accused.

Neighbours testified how from around 4:30 AM, the accused would be heard shouting and swearing at the animals, “waking the whole street up”. These inconveniences had been reported several times before, said one witness and would sometimes carry on all day. “It was impossible to open a window because of the smell,” one said.

It appears that the accused would shout snide comments about his neighbours whenever they would chance upon each other. “She’s on her way to beat her breast,” he would remark to his dogs when one would be on her way to church and remarking “she’s still alive” when she returned from a stay in hospital.

Several witnesses told the court how at quiet moments, he would encourage his dogs to bark, saying “shout all you want because this is your home.”

However, a senior officer from the department of Animal Welfare testified that he had inspected the house and found all the animals to be well taken care of. The state of cleanliness was of the required standard he said, explaining that the density of animals was due to the small size of the apartment, however all the animals were free to roam around it.

A Sanitation Department inspector testified that he had carried out several inspections on the premises, also describing the conditions as good. “For the amount of animals that were there, one cannot say that it was smelly.”

The court felt there was no reason not to believe the testimony of the neighbours, especially given the amount of animals kept at the residence.

However, the court also expressed admiration and appreciation towards the accused for giving the animals a home. “Certainly, were it not for him, they would have ended up on the streets. Also the hardships he suffers, for example the fact that he has chosen to not connect to the power grid in order to provide for them in the best way he can, is admirable.”

“However one cannot forget, on the other hand, the residents who are suffering a great inconvenience,” added the magistrate.

Borg was fined €100 and ordered to find alternative accommodation for the animals. She also ordered that the Commissioner for animal welfare be notified.