Charity

Labrador left with skin hanging from infected mouth wound

Published

5 months ago

January 22, 2026

Owner banned from keeping animals for ten years after RSPCA prosecution

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been banned from keeping animals for ten years after failing to seek veterinary treatment for her dog’s facial injury.

Candice Mottram, of Milton Crescent, pleaded guilty to failing to meet the needs of a dog under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and was sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jan 15).

The court heard that her black labrador, Andy, was found with a large piece of skin hanging from the left side of his face and a strong smell of infection coming from the wound. The dog was also underweight when he was examined, but has since made a good recovery in RSPCA care.

As well as the disqualification order, Mottram was given an 18-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months. She was also ordered to complete 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and agreed to be fitted with an alcohol monitoring tag for 120 days. She was ordered to pay £400 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

The RSPCA became involved after Dyfed-Powys Police contacted the charity on April 5 last year, reporting a dog in distress at the property.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Paula Milton attended and found Andy with the facial injury. In a statement to the court, she said: “Andy had a huge flap of skin hanging from the left side of his face. There was a very strong smell of infection and where the skin had come off his mouth was bright red.

“The defendant told me the last time the dog had seen a vet was two weeks previously.”

However, checks later carried out by RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben with local veterinary records found that Andy had not been seen by a vet since 2021.

A vet who examined Andy described him as being in poor body condition, with ribs and pelvic bone visible, and scored him two/three out of nine on the Body Condition Score scale, where five is considered ideal. The injury was described as extended, with a purulent discharge and foul smell, and was believed to be either an old wound or a burst abscess.

Andy underwent surgery to remove the hanging skin flap and the wound was treated.

In mitigation, the court was told Mottram has severe problems with alcohol abuse and suffers from mental health issues.

The district judge described Mottram’s behaviour as “inexcusable and shocking”.

Following the sentencing, Inspector Hogben said: “It was a shock to see how bad Andy’s facial wound was. We don’t know how the injury was sustained. He may have caught his mouth on some wire and it became very badly infected. But the wound was obvious and the defendant had plenty of time to get the poor dog to a vets.

“Thankfully, Andy’s wound healed up nicely and he has been doing really well in the care of one of our foster carers. We are hoping he will be rehomed as soon as possible as he is a lovely dog.”

Andy spent time at one of the RSPCA’s animal centres before being placed with a foster carer. The charity said he has gained weight, his wound has healed, and he is expected to be ready for rehoming soon.

Charity

Family’s £570 donation in memory of devoted RNLI supporter

Published

1 day ago

June 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE FAMILY of the late Gerald Hartry, of Tonypandy, Mid Glamorgan, have donated £570 to the RNLI in his memory.

Gerald was a long-standing supporter of the RNLI and had a particular affection for Tenby Lifeboat Station, which he visited many times over the past 40 years while staying at the family’s caravan near Narberth.

Relatives recently visited the station to present the cheque to the crew.

Tenby Lifeboats RNLI said it was a pleasure to welcome the family and thanked them for their generous donation.

Pictured, from left, are members of Gerald’s family with Tenby Lifeboat Operations Manager Carl Evans.

Charity

Henry Tufnell visits St Davids RNLI lifeboat station

Published

3 days ago

June 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MP pledges to raise funding and regulation concerns after meeting volunteer crew at St Justinian

HENRY TUFNELL MP has visited St Davids RNLI lifeboat station to hear first-hand about the work of its volunteer crew.

The Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP met crew members at St Justinian, where he was briefed on some of the rescue missions carried out by the station off the Pembrokeshire coast.

Mr Tufnell said the visit had highlighted both the dedication of the lifeboat crew and the pressures facing the service.

He said: “It was a privilege to visit the RNLI St Davids Lifeboat at St Justinian and hear first-hand about some of the remarkable rescue missions the crew have undertaken.

“They do extraordinary work keeping our community safe.”

Mr Tufnell added that crew members had also raised concerns about ongoing challenges, including funding and regulation.

He said: “It was also important to hear about the ongoing challenges they face, particularly regarding funding and regulation.

“As your MP, I will continue to champion and protect the interests of our community heroes in Westminster.”

The RNLI station at St Davids is one of Pembrokeshire’s key coastal rescue bases, serving a busy and often challenging stretch of coastline popular with walkers, kayakers, boat users and visitors.

The charity relies on volunteer crews and public support to continue its lifesaving work.

Charity

More than £5,000 raised for rescue animals at Greenacres Fun Day

Published

3 days ago

June 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A FUN Day and Dog Show in St Clears has raised more than £5,000 to help vulnerable and abandoned animals.

The event, held in aid of Greenacres Animal Rescue on Sunday, May 10, brought together supporters, local businesses and members of the community to raise vital funds for the charity’s rescue and rehabilitation work.

A total of £2,584.84 was raised on the day, with the amount then matched by the Benefact Group through the support of Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking, bringing the final total to £5,169.68.

The money will help Greenacres meet the growing costs of caring for animals in need, including veterinary treatment, rehabilitation, food and other essential welfare expenses.

Greenacres Animal Rescue provides refuge and care for animals that have been abandoned, neglected or need rehoming. The charity relies heavily on donations, fundraising and volunteer support to continue its work.

A spokesperson for Greenacres Animal Rescue said: “We’re honestly blown away by your generosity and support.”

Among those supporting the event were representatives from Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking, which has backed Greenacres Animal Rescue for several years as its chosen charity partner.

Colleagues Stephen Vale, Yvette Llewellyn and Lauren Davies attended the event, helping to support the fundraising and celebrate the work carried out by the charity.

Stephen Vale, from Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking said: “Greenacres Animal Rescue has been our chosen charity for several years and we’re incredibly proud to support the vital work they do for vulnerable animals in our community.

“The dedication of the Greenacres team is inspiring, and it’s fantastic to see local people come together to help raise funds that will directly support the charity’s ongoing rescue and rehabilitation work.

“As part of the Benefact Group, giving back is central to who we are, so being able to support Greenacres through fundraising and matched funding initiatives is something we’re passionate about.”

The success of the event highlights the strength of community support for Greenacres Animal Rescue and the difference local fundraising can make for animals in need.