The court also granted a vet on behalf of Let the Animals Live access to the premises of the pound to provide medical care to the wounded, sick dogs at the site.

The petition that Let the Animals Live filed with the court includes shattering testimony about Dr Amnon Or's handling of the animals at the pound. Among other things, the association demonstrated that puppies had been left completely bereft of care, to slowly die. Cages were overcrowded with dogs to the point that they killed one another. Wounded and sick dogs were left uncared for. Dogs were punched and kicked. A dog was killed by being shredded, alive, and cats were killed in violation of the law.

"After having viewed the pictures presented to me, which are very hard to see, I reached the conclusion that the animal sat the shelter urgently need medical care or at the very least, to be seen by a professional who can decide what care they need," wrote Judge Irit Hod.

A hearing in the presence of all parties has been scheduled for May 2, 2007, at 15:00, at The Nazareth Magistrates Court.

Let the Animals Live spokeswoman Eti Altman: "We thank the court for its ruling. We are acting immediately to save the dozens of unhappy dogs in torment at the pound at this time.

"Unhappily, horrors like those revealed at the Tiberias pound exist in other shelters in Israel. I call on the government to immediately launch a national inquiry into the issue," Ms Altman said.

"This is an important day for us," commented Adv. Eran Lev. "We hope we can save many animals against which crimes are being committed, in Tiberias and elsewhere."

Attached: Photographs taken on April 24, 2007, at the Tiberias pound.