The Malta Independent has acquired exclusive footage showing the Mosta animal killer.

The video shows an unidentified man with a shaved head approaching a corner at the back of the Mosta church and looking in the direction of a nearby playground to make sure that the coast is clear.

He then runs back into the darkness only to appear a few seconds later holding the crucified dog – a fox terrier. The man climbs up a flight of stairs and jumps over a ledge. He then hangs the crucifix upside down onto a lamp post, after which he disappears into the darkness again (several seconds pass in between his approach at the corner and when he hangs the animal - look towards top left of the screen. The man is visible on the ledge at 1.15).

 

It is not yet clear if the man was acting alone or if an accomplice hung a crucified cat on a statue at the front of the church. The grim discoveries were made at around 6.15am on Monday.

This portal is informed that the animal killer was caught on several other cameras fixed around the church but it is not known if he can be identified. The police took copies of the five recordings.

Monday’s was the eleventh case of animal cruelty. The first gruesome discovery was made on 16 November, 2011, when a puppy was found crucified to a wooden cross that was hung upside down. Since then almost all cases have happened on or around the 16th day of the month, the only exclusions being one that happened on 23 February, 2012 and yesterday’s case.

It is not known whether a single “serial killer” is behind these gruesome acts or whether some of the cases were the work of copycats. Animal rights groups and the public alike are enraged by these cowardly acts, and many criticize the police for “not doing enough” to catch the culprit. Some have even called for more CCTV cameras in and around Mosta’s public areas.

It is believed that in the past the police have already questioned one person who lives in Mosta in connection with the incidents.

Magistrate Carol Peralta is conducting an inquiry.