Animals stolen again from Inspire residence

The theft, the second of its kind at Inspire, includes at least one missing dear, several goats and one parrot, according to CEO Nathan Farrugia. The deer alone costs around €600.

"The animals are important for us not only as an attraction but also for therapeutic input for children with disability because of the human-animal interaction, so it is a much larger loss than the monetary value," Mr Farrugia said.

In the December 2007 theft, Louis Ronayne, 26 of Kirkop, was imprisoned for two years, for stealing animals from Razzett tal- Hbiberija. He was given warnings by the court prior to the theft but ignored the opportunities to reform.

Another two men were also involved in the 2007 theft. Salvino Ronayne, 20 of Marsascala, was placed under probation for three years, whilst Kevin Portelli, 32 of Fgura was also handed a two-month jail term suspended for three years.

The three had also been convicted of handling stolen property and causing hardship to the animals.

Over the span of a few days, they stole a monkey, a deer and several other animals. The monkey and deer were valued at € 1,397 and the other stolen animals were valued at €1,444.