The Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Animal Rights has issued a statement saying that “the dogs involved in the case of Iniż Galea in 2020 are not the same dogs involved in the case of April 17.”

Andre Galea was attacked by his own two dogs in Msida in the early hours of Monday. In 2020, his 95-year-old grandmother was mauled to death by pit bulls which the same Galea was breeding in his home.

After he was attacked, eight dogs were found to be living in inadequate conditions and confiscated from the breeder’s residence, Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Welfare Alicia Bugeja Said said in a post on Facebook on Tuesday.

“In response to the case that occurred on April 17 2023 in Msida near the residence of Andre Galea, the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights can confirm that last night, 8 dogs were confiscated from Galea's residence,” the Ministry said in a statement.

“The dogs are now in a safe place and in good conditions under the protection of the Directorate for the Humane Treatment of Animals,” the statement went on.

The Ministry emphasized that since being informed of this case, it has ensured that all necessary resources to protect the animals in question were made available to the competent authorities.

“On April 17 the Directorate for the Humane Treatment of Animals was notified of the case that occurred in Msida at 01:55 am.”

“Directorate officials arrived at the scene a quarter of an hour after the initial request for assistance. For two hours, these officials intervened and took the necessary action, accompanied by police members who were present at the scene. From this operation, a dead dog was collected, which will be subject to an autopsy,” the Ministry said.

“The Ministry recalls that in March 2023, a number of amendments to the Animal Welfare Act were introduced to strengthen the legislative framework and protect animals.”

“Among other things, these amendments allow the Court, where appropriate, to prohibit any person found guilty of an offense under Chapter 439 and any relevant subsidiary regulations, from keeping animals for a period determined by the Court.”

“We also confirm that the dogs involved in the case of Iniż Galea in 2020 are not the same dogs involved in the case of April 17, 2023,” the Ministry said.

“Regarding reports that appeared in the media claiming that the person involved in the Msida incident is an illegal dog breeder, the Ministry wishes to confirm that, to date, no definitive evidence has been established in this regard; however, investigations against him were and are still ongoing,” they went on.

“Finally, the Ministry encourages anyone with information about this case to contact the competent authorities,” it concluded.