Multiple sclerosis sufferer’s nuisance dog lands him in court again

Spice, a husky dog, was the centre of attention outside and inside the law courts this morning, after angry neighbours filed a second police report against its owners, whose daughters - and Spice - sat patiently on the steps outside the court building while the case was being heard.

The dog's owner, Therese Bonello, had already been in court on public order charges last September, after neighbours had reported the dog for howling at night and that it would urinate in the balcony, dripping on to common areas below. Bonello was acquitted, however.

The defendant's husband is a multiple sclerosis sufferer, the court was told, and the dog was an essential part of his treatment. The couple insisted that the allegations of howling were baseless.

Alexander Buhagiar, parte civile in this case, told Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit that he had filed a police report after the dog had been left off his leash in the common area of the block. The dog would playfully pounce on people and as a result, his wife, who is terrified of dogs, felt uncomfortable living in her own home.

Furthermore, the owner had “only offered an apology” for an incident where the dog had jumped in his direction as he was traversing the common area.

However, the next witness, police Constable Edwin Mulvaney, testified that he had been called to the Bonello residence on several occasions over the years. Asked by defence lawyer Edward Gatt, the witness said that he had never heard the dog barking, “not even when the owners were away.”

Lawyer Edward Gatt is defending Bonello. Whilst lawyer Leonard Caruana appeared for Buhagiar. Inspector Sandra Zammit is prosecuting.

The case continues on 29 April.