Breeder fined €10,000, banned for five years after dogs found living in misery
Elaine Meli neglected the basic needs of the animals in a Żurrieq farm
A woman was fined €10,000 and is banned from owning or residing with animals for five years after being found guilty of multiple animal welfare violations.
Elaine Meli pleaded guilty in December 2025 to the charges brought against her, which included causing animals annecessary suffering and operating as a breeder without a licence.
She was also found to have neglected the basic needs of the animals in her care and keeping a dog in a limited or confined space.
Meli was found to have been breeding various dog beeds at a farm in Żurrieq. The court found that the animals on site were subjected to unnecessary pain, suffering and distress.
They were kept in limited spaces and denied a proper environment, healthy diet and protection from disease or injury.
As part of her sentence, Meli is prohibited from keeping animals or residing in a place where animals are kept for a period of five years.
Inspector Elliot Magro prosecuted. Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia presided over the case.