The dogs owned by Andre Galea, the breeder who was attacked by his own pit bulls on Monday morning, are yet to be fed by authorities more than 24 hours after the attack.

Galea, whose grandmother was mauled by his dogs back in 2020, was attacked by his own two dogs in Antonio Sciortino Street while walking them in the early hours of Monday.

Animal activists told MaltaToday that the other dogs Galea owns have been growing increasingly frustrated, and can be heard whining by neighbours.

Sources said that Galea currently has an estimated eight to ten pit bulls at his Msida residence, and have still not been fed more than 24 hours after the attack.

Neighbours have said that Galea is known of housing aggressive dogs, with constant barking becoming a regular occurrence.

Activists also said that Galea’s family members are scared of entering the residence, fearing the aggressive dogs, MaltaToday reported.

They said that neighbours are also afraid to leave their homes, especially after the incident with Galea, out of fear that another dog might escape and attack their own pets and children.

Animal Welfare Commissioner Alison Bezzina has also requested the Animal Welfare Department to test the dogs behind the vicious attack on their owner for drugs inside their blood stream, to establish a clearer picture on why they behaved like that, she told the newspaper.

Animal Activists and NGOs released a statement on Monday, expressing their disappointment over the attack, as “animals across Malta are having to suffer because of an ineffective administration.”

The groups pointed out that dogs kept and bred by Galea have already been in the media, yet under the current legislation, Galea is still allowed to keep animals in his care.

They said that the case brings up many questions on current legislation and how these dogs are kept and raised.

“There is no doubt that once the dogs have been caught, they will probably be put to sleep, and they will have to pay with their life for the improper upbringing they have had. This is because yet again the authorities have failed to protect them and other animals with effective legislation,” they said.

The activists said that they have been asking for legislation to control breeding and a temporary ban on the breeding of stronger breeds for years.

“Had the (Animal Rights) Minister enacted the legislation when the first case was reported in the media, yesterday’s incident would not have happened,” they said, adding that the NGOs have made a list of legislations that have still not been implemented by government.

The groups said that the Commissioner for Animal Welfare, Alison Bezzina had also officially recommended in 2021 to regulate breeding, and also recommended that the breeding and importation of bull breeds should be temporarily banned. The reason for this recommendation is to protect the breed, which due to their current abundance, keeps being abused and misunderstood.

“We cannot understand what it will take for Anton Refalo and the government to wake up from his slumber and start taking action,” they said.

The statement was endorsed by the Association for Abandoned Animals, Buddy’s Lost and Found Page, Fostering and Homing Paws, Innocent Paws, Kitty Guardians for Strays, Our Rescues Malta Foundation, Real Animal Rights Foundation, The Island Sanctuary, Voice for the voiceless and Vuci ghall-Annimali.