Dog owner gets lifetime pet ban after animals found in faeces
The 36-year-old Pietà man was fined €3,000
A 36-year-old Pietà man has been fined €3,000 and handed a lifetime ban on keeping or living with animals, after three dogs in his care were found living in squalid conditions littered with faeces and urine.
The case against Shaun Seisun dates to September 2019, when Animal Welfare officers, responding to a report, called at Seisun’s home, where they noticed a strong smell of faeces and urine.
The stairs leading to the man’s apartment were littered with dog excrement. When they knocked at the door, the man, who lived with his mother, opened the door.
Inside the property, they found three dogs: a Siberian husky cross, a chihuahua and a mixed breed. Two of the dogs were microchipped and registered on Seisun’s mother.
Officers also discovered substantial quantities of dirt and excrement, including the presence of dog faeces on the beds, carpets and tiles. The dogs were immediately seized.
While the officers said the dogs’ body score was low – indicating appearing underweight – in court, it emerged the scores were average.
The court observed that from photos, it was clear the dogs were living in their excrement, which had accumulated over time. No imagination was needed to conclude that this was not a decent environment in which to keep dogs, the court said.
It referenced regulations on keeping animals, which state that owners should ensure good hygiene and a clean and disinfected area.
In this case, the court noted that one could not even see the tiles in the photos due to the dirt and the mattress’ colour being brown.
It also observed defence pleas that the dogs were registered to Seisun’s mother and therefore were not his responsibility. However, the court held that the law does not require the person responsible for the animals’ welfare to be the person with whom the microchip is registered.
In this case, Seisun lived in the apartment and opened the door to officers himself. They also found Seisun and the dogs, and therefore the court ruled that the accused was either the person taking care of the dogs, or one of the individuals responsible.
In its considerations on punishment, the court declared that such behaviour cannot be tolerated, and when a person takes on the responsibility of caring for an animal, one should be aware of their limitations and the laws in place aimed at safeguarding the animals and eradicating abuse.
He was accused of causing unnecessary suffering to three dogs and not taking the necessary steps to ensure their needs were met. He was also accused of failing to microchip a chihuahua found in his care.
In this case, the court deemed that the punishment should reflect the man’s behaviour and the suffering he caused to the animals and found him guilty of all four charges brought against him.
He was fined €3,000 and banned from keeping animals or living where animals are being kept for life.
Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo presided.
Police inspector Wayne Camilleri prosecuted.