News

Eleven donkeys and pony found suffering in North Pembrokeshire

Published

1 year ago

December 17, 2024

AN ELDERLY woman has been given a suspended sentence after eleven donkeys and one pony were found to be in a suffering state at a small holding in Mynachlogddu, Crymych.
The equines were found in a poor environment and were not having their needs met. Many of them had overgrown hooves and there were concerns for their body conditions. Following an examination by an equine vet they were all found to be in a suffering state and the vet said they needed to be removed from the location.

Elizabeth Palmer, 80, of Llethyr-Uchaf, Crymych attended Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on 27 November and pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

These offences were that she caused unnecessary suffering to 11 donkeys and a pony by failing to provide adequate and appropriate farrier care and she failed to take such steps that were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure their needs were met.

On Wednesday 11 December she was sentenced to 16 weeks custody (reduced from 26 weeks) suspended for 12 months and was handed a 10 year ban on all animals – with the exception of cats and dogs.

She was ordered to pay £400 costs and a £154 victim surcharge and there was a court order made for the RSPCA to return in 21 days to remove any other animals that remain on site other than cats and dogs.

In a witness statement, provided to the court from the investigating RSPCA Inspector, he said it was on 20 March he was requested by a Donkey Welfare Adviser from The Donkey Sanctuary to attend the small holding in the Crymych area.

The Inspector attended along with an equine vet and two welfare officers from The Donkey Sanctuary. He said: “I was shown two donkeys in a field and it was obvious that both donkeys’ hooves were very overgrown and one of the donkeys had hair loss on its right hand side.”

He said their owner arrived who said she had been waiting for a farrier to attend but they kept letting her down.

Following an examination by the equine vet, the Inspector was informed that these two donkeys had overgrown hooves, were of poor body condition, were invested with lice and that in the vets opinion had been caused unnecessary suffering by a failure to address these issues. He added that there was a shelter in the field with water present in buckets and some grazing.

They were also shown to an open fronted barn that contained nine donkeys and a pony.

The Inspector said: “Conditions in the barn were very poor with no clean dry laying area, no mental stimulation, very deep soiled bedding which was wet and the equines were struggling to walk through it.

“Many of the donkeys and the pony had overgrown hooves and several seemed to be in a poor body condition.”

He noted that the pony was partially in a poor condition and the Inspector was informed that the pony had been dumped on the owners land before Christmas 2023. He was also told that none of the equines had seen a vet recently.

The equine vet said that all of the donkeys needed to be removed as all had caused unnecessary suffering due to overgrown hooves, lice, dermatitis, poor body condition.

She also said that the pony (pictured) was in such a suffering state that she needed to be put to sleep on welfare grounds.

A consent form for this was signed by the owner who also signed the animals across to the RSPCA.

Eight of the rescued donkeys – Angel, Coco, Jack, Jane, Jenny, Toffee, Rosie and Paris – are living in a group at The Donkey Sanctuary in Devon where they have settled in very well. They go to the gate when they hear staff passing and if anyone enters their yard they approach to enjoy a fuss. Even the more nervous Toffee has started to greet people

Sadly, two of the donkeys had to be euthanised due to ill health and another was not fit to travel so is living in a group with similar needs at another of the charity’s facilities.

Kia Thomas, Donkey Welfare Adviser at The Donkey Sanctuary, who was present at the original visit in March, said: “When I saw the donkeys recently, I was absolutely delighted to see how different they looked from when we picked them up. I had not seen the group since March – and it was wonderful to see them in much better health after receiving the medical care they needed and deserved.”

Following sentencing an RSPCA spokesperson said: “We would very much like to thank The Donkey Sanctuary along with the equine vet and local horse expert who attended for their expertise and assistance.

“This was a very sad case where if veterinary care and the appropriate farrier care had been given these equines would not have suffered.”

Local Government

Clean-up after yacht wrecked on rocks at Lower Town, Fishguard

Published

16 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A YACHT that ran aground on rocks at Lower Town in Fishguard is being cleared by Pembrokeshire County Council after debris washed onto the shoreline.

Council officers attended the scene to assess the situation and begin removing wreckage after the vessel was found stranded among the rocks.

Heavy machinery was brought in to help clear debris from the beach, with workers seen dismantling parts of the damaged yacht and removing material that had scattered along the shoreline.

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed it is aware of the incident and has issued a Notice to Mariners, warning of the potential presence of floating debris in the surrounding waters.

The notice advises vessels navigating in the area to exercise caution while clearance work continues.

No further details about how the yacht came to run aground have been released.

Cover pic:

Council workers clear debris from a yacht that ran aground at Lower Town, Fishguard.

Community

Sea Cadets receive grant, donation and celebrate World Book Day

Published

16 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SEA CADETS have had a busy and successful week, with new equipment arriving at the unit, a donation from a local organisation, and junior members taking part in World Book Day activities.

The Milford Haven unit recently received delivery of new Standard Horizon VHF radios, which will be used during the upcoming boating season. The equipment was purchased after the group successfully secured funding through the RCD Foundation Grant.

The radios will help cadets develop important communication and safety skills while taking part in maritime training on the water.

The unit also received a £100 donation from Neyland Lodge, with cadets presented with a cheque during the week. Staff at the unit said the contribution would help support activities and training opportunities for young people involved in the organisation.

Leaders at the unit thanked the lodge for its support, describing the donation as a welcome boost for the cadet group.

Meanwhile, junior Sea Cadets marked World Book Day by taking part in a special visit to their local library. Along with members of the Junior Training Organisation (JTO), the young cadets dressed up and learned about the role of a librarian.

During the visit, they explored the library and each chose a favourite book, helping to encourage reading and learning outside the classroom.

Milford Haven Sea Cadets said the week highlighted the wide range of experiences available to cadets, from maritime training and community support to educational activities.

The unit is part of the wider Sea Cadet network operating across West Wales and continues to provide opportunities for young people in the Milford Haven area to develop skills, confidence and teamwork.

Local Government

Petition calling for clean rivers policy wins unanimous support at County Hall

Published

17 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PETITION calling for Pembrokeshire County Council to adopt a stronger Clean Rivers Policy has received unanimous support from councillors at County Hall.

The petition, backed by environmental campaigners and community groups, was presented during a meeting of the council on Thursday (Mar 6). Supporters in the public gallery applauded after councillors expressed their backing for the proposals.

The presentation was delivered by James Harrison-Allen, representing The Cleddau Project, a volunteer-led initiative focused on protecting and restoring the River Cleddau and its surrounding environment.

Campaigners said the atmosphere inside the council chamber was “extraordinary”, with councillors from across the political spectrum voicing support for improving river protection measures in Pembrokeshire.

The petition calls for the council to adopt a clearer policy aimed at improving water quality and tackling pollution affecting local rivers.

Supporters say pollution from multiple sources, including agricultural run-off and sewage discharges, has placed increasing pressure on rivers across Wales, including the Eastern and Western Cleddau.

Following the presentation, councillors backed the petition unanimously, prompting applause from members of the public and campaign supporters in attendance.

The campaign has drawn support from a number of environmental organisations including West Wales Rivers Trust, River Action UK, and the Campaign for National Parks.

Representatives from several organisations and public bodies were also acknowledged by campaigners, including Natural Resources Wales, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, as well as local political representatives Henry Tufnell MP, Samuel Kurtz MS, and Paul Davies MS.

Campaigners say the decision marks an important step in raising awareness of river pollution issues affecting the Cleddau catchment and wider waterways across Pembrokeshire.

The Cleddau Project said the outcome was “a great day for the Cleddau” and praised the work of volunteers and supporters who have helped drive the campaign forward.