Eugenio Galea, 56, from Senglea, who said he worked for the local council was today charged with the animal cruelty after he allegedly threw his dog into a well. The animal was saved thanks to prompt action by the police.

Galea at first pleaded guilty but when Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona warned that he was going to jail him, he retracted his guilty plea and instead pleaded not guilty.

The man was granted bail against a €1,000 personal guarantee.