News

Pembrokeshire ranked eighth-worst in UK for dog mess complaints

Published

9 months ago

June 9, 2025

PEMBROKESHIRE has been named among the worst areas in the UK for dog fouling complaints, with nearly 500 incidents reported to the council over the past three years.

A new study, compiled by Rainbow Rubbish Removals using Freedom of Information data, found that Pembrokeshire County Council received 496 reports of dog mess from 2021 to 2024. That equates to 39 complaints per 10,000 people, placing the county eighth in the UK rankings for total reports.

While far behind larger councils such as the City of Edinburgh (which topped the list with 6,516 complaints), Pembrokeshire still ranked higher than many more urban and densely populated areas—raising concerns about the cleanliness of public spaces in a county known for its natural beauty and tourism.

Neighbouring Gwynedd saw a staggering 2,827 complaints in the same period, despite a similar population size.

The Herald understands that Pembrokeshire County Council is currently trialling a ‘soft enforcement’ approach in hotspot areas, including issuing warnings instead of fines during the summer beach season. A council spokesperson recently said the emphasis is on “education over enforcement,” although not all residents agree this goes far enough.

“It’s disgusting,” said one local walker in Milford Haven. “Some dog owners just don’t care. You see it on pavements, near schools, even on footpaths through nature reserves. People should be fined.”

Dog fouling is more than a nuisance. Experts warn of serious public health risks, especially for children. Pet hygiene expert Josh Wiesenfeld said dog faeces can transmit dangerous parasites such as Toxocara canis, which can cause blindness, organ damage or neurological issues.

He added: “Even small amounts of uncollected dog waste can harbour millions of bacteria. In parks or shared spaces, it can lead to outbreaks among local dogs and pose a risk to young children.”

Dog waste can also contaminate waterways, increase the risk of E. coli in storm drains, and lower the public’s enjoyment of parks and beaches—key assets in tourism-reliant areas like Pembrokeshire.

Despite the shocking figures, some rural authorities fared even worse proportionally. Camden Council in London topped the list for the most dog mess complaints per capita, with 226 complaints per 10,000 residents.

Bracknell Forest Council recorded the fewest overall, with just 55 complaints in the same period.

Residents concerned about dog fouling in Pembrokeshire are encouraged to report incidents via the council’s website. The authority has also said it will review its approach later this year.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

5 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

5 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

6 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.