A pit bull puppy was rescued from a “career” of dog fighting after police received a tip-off and raided a residence in Vittoriosa.

The two-month-old dog was discovered with its ears shorn off and freshly stitched, an illegal practice and a clear sign the puppy was being inducted into the underworld of fighting, Animal Welfare Department director Mario Spiteri said.

“We were tipped off that a person, well-known for keeping fighting dogs, was seen handling a young puppy. Our inspectors together with police went on site,” Dr Spiteri added. Action is being taken against a 47-year-old man from Vittoriosa.

“This is the first time we have managed to catch a puppy before it was trained to fight,” he said.

The dog was taken away from its owners and is being kept at the SPCA, until it is ready to be homed. Vet Duncan Chetcuti Ganado is monitoring its progress.