Police officers and animal welfare officials turned up to a Birzebbuga man’s home on Friday to confiscate some 45 dogs.

A court earlier this week fined Antonio Vella €20,000 and banned him from keeping dogs for 25 years after being found guilty of neglect. He was also handed a two year prison sentence suspended for four years.

Police arrived at Triq 31 ta Marzu to confiscate the animals on Friday afternoon, with the street ringing with the whining and barking of dogs.

The 66-year-old stood inside the doorway of the residence weeping and hugging the dogs, repeating, “I’m going to die without them” as officials removed the animals from the home.

Anton Vella hugged the dogs as they were removed from his care. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Officials seen coming in and out of the residence brought out a number of adult dogs and puppies, with a number of bitches appearing to be nursing.

According to court reports, Vella was breeding pedigree dogs intended for dog shows. 

Most of the dogs appeared to be Cavalier King Charles Spaniels as well as collie breeds.

Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Appearing in his doorway holding armfuls of dirty puppies, Vella continued to argue with officials, saying that he had “certificates and antibiotics upstairs”.

Many of the puppies appeared dispirited and caked in filth and excrement, with officials remarking that a few needed to be taken “straight to the hospital”.

Officials on site could be heard saying that puppies had been found hidden under furniture and inside wardrobes and that one dog that had been found had apparently recently given birth.

Dozens of dogs were seized. Click on arrow for more pics. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Most of the dogs appeared to be Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Dozens of dogs were seized. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

One of the dogs removed from the home.

She was brought to animal hospital.

A number of birds were also seized from the property.

Officials on site estimated that, including the puppies, they had removed some 45 dogs from the home by 4pm, with another van to carry more animals appearing to be on the way.

One official said most likely the dogs in stable condition would be kept in quarantine and if suitable, will either be placed for adoption or fostering.

The case against Vella was originally sparked by a complaint in 2019 after which six sick dogs were taken away.

Friday’s raid happened after Animal Welfare officials stopped for a spot check in the morning and witnessed animals in subpar conditions.

Animal welfare officials remove one of the puppies. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Animal Welfare director Patricia Azzopardi, who appeared on site during the operation, told Times of Malta that she hoped the incident caused people to think twice about buying instead of adopting puppies.

“I hope that people realize that when they pay thousands of euros for a cute little puppy, the operation behind it is something like this," she said.

“For every puppy there’s a poor mother dog locked in a cramped cage, forced to keep breeding till she’s sick and evacuated.

“This is why we stress to people that they should adopt and not shop for pets. Because the more you create demand, the mor we’re going to see situations like this.”