Facebook recently exploded with attacks against a man called Nicholas Meilaq, who keeps two dogs in two rooms in Pembroke.
Facebook posts were published on a particular group revealing one of the dogs with his head poking out of a small window crying after the object covering the window had come off, thus leading to the uproar. The post on the Facebook group was later deleted.
Animal Welfare, speaking with this newsroom, explained that they received several calls and emails between February and October this year regarding this situation, and had gone on site five times for surprise visits, with multiple officers being involved in the case. They found that minor alterations to the site had to be made, however the dogs were happy, healthy and taken care of.
This newsroom accompanied the animal welfare officers on one of their visits. The rooms themselves aren't the most hospitable looking accommodation for humans, however the dogs have a bed for themselves and room to stretch their legs. Mr Meilaq explained that the dogs are kept there as he lives with his parents and their flat is not big enough to house them. He explained that the dogs only stay there during the night and while he is at work.
Upon arriving on site, the animal welfare workers knocked on the door. Mr Meilaq opened and the dogs rushed out in excitement sniffing all the new people and prancing around. Speaking with Mr Meilaq, the Welfare officers recommended placing different kinds of windows rather than what is present now to ensure that the dogs cannot hurt themselves or escape through the windows.
Mr Meilaq then welcomed us into the dwelling, identifying where the dogs sleep. He proceeded to close the door in order to show that light enters the room. "I am with these dogs every day," he said. The dogs, named Thunder and Maya, are 9 months and just over a year old respectively. Mr Meilaq said that he slept in the rooms with the dogs overSummer.
An animal welfare officer said that not everyone has the luxury of keeping the animals in a palace, and that from what they can see, the dogs are treated well and have a lot of human contact. Videos posted on the dogs facebook also indicate this, and show them responding to his commands. At no point did they show signs of aggression or dominance when he was playfully teasing them.
Regarding the Facebook posts, the man in question said he was quite upset by them as he always took care of his dogs. In response to those posts, he had posted many pictures taken at many different times on the page, showing him with his dogs out and about in Malta.
"There's a huge area outside where I can play with them, these rooms are right on the beach," he said. Mr Meilaq, in one of his videos posted on his facebook page, said that he leaves food and water for the dogs overnight.
The dogs don't sleep in kennels, but rather on a large bed situated in the first room and the welfare officers said that when the door is closed, enough light comes into the room.
Photos Jonathan Borg