Animal Welfare Directorate officers this morning confiscated 18 dogs from a ‘puppy mill’ in Pieta`.

The dogs were taken away from a residence in Triq id-Duluri, with the operation starting at around 10am.

The AWD was responding to a report that the dogs were being kept in substandard conditions.

The dogs – 16 Pomeranians and 2 Chihuahuas – were found living in unsanitary conditions.

Sources told this newsroom that the animals were being kept in “filthy” conditions and were thus prone to infection.

Some of the dogs are sick with the Parvovirus and were taken to a veterinarian for testing. The other dogs were taken away in a separate group. For now, they will be under the care of the AWD.

Sources said the owner was told on Tuesday to take all dogs to a vet, but the man said he could not afford to do so. The case could likely end up in court.

The sources explained that it will then be up to the court to decide on the fate of the animals. It is likely that they will be put up for fostering or rehoming.

Photos: Neil Camilleri and Giuseppe Attard