Rescued dogs to be handed back to their former owner

Forty-nine dogs rescued last August from cramped cages and squalid conditions in a Balzan home will be handed back to their “reformed” owner this week, the Animal Welfare Department confirmed. The dogs – toy poodles, chihuahuas, and pugs that were mainly kept for breeding – have been recovering in the department’s care ever since animal welfare officers, police and public health officials raided the terraced house. Sources who contacted The Sunday Times expressed concern that the dogs, which were slowly coming out of their shells, would be returned to poor conditions. “These dogs were so scared when they were rescued that they would slink to a corner whenever they were approached; they were full of fleas and could barely walk. They were puppy-breeding machines,” the sources said. Although the dogs had been well fed, they were kept in confined spaces and filthy conditions where rats “as big as rabbits” roamed. None had been microchipped and some had severe skin conditions. “What hurts most is that these poor dogs were starting to get back on their feet. They were reacting to the affection the staff that took care of them showered them with, but now they’re going back to hell,” the...