News

Dogs are the ‘most persecuted pet’

Published

10 years ago

April 12, 2016

MAN’s best friend is the most persecuted pet in Wales, new figures from RSPCA Cymru reveal.

The charity is releasing its annual prosecution statistics today which show that almost 60% complaints investigated by the RSPCA in Wales in 2015 related to dogs. This compares to nearly 21% which related to cats – the second most abused pet.

There were 5,918 investigations into cruelty towards the pet commonly thought of as our most loyal companion – nearly three times the number of investigations into cats, of which there were 2,071.

In 2015 the charity in Wales dealt with several horrifying cases involving the “skinniest dog” an inspector had ever seen in Newport, a Pembrokeshire dog who had hair so matted he couldn’t see and a neglected Flintshire dog who was a third under his ideal body weight.

RSPCA Cymru’s superintendent Martyn Hubbard said: “People think of dogs as man’s best friend but these statistics tell a different story. They are by far the most abused animal in Wales and we investigate more complaints related to them than any other species.

“Our inspectors have been utterly shocked by the level of neglect, it is horrifying to think how these animals must have suffered.”

The RSPCA’s annual figures for 2015 show that there were a total of 9,895 complaints investigated. This compares to 11,740 in 2014.

The number of animal owners who were offered and accepted welfare advice were 5,790 – this is an increase from 5,527 in 2014. The vast majority of RSPCA work is improving animal welfare by giving advice to owners.

In total the RSPCA in Wales secured 89 convictions in magistrates court in 2015 – there were 116 in 2014.

The number of defendants convicted in Wales in 2014 was 41. This is compares to 47 in 2014.

The latest figures show a 100 per cent success rate for RSPCA prosecutions in Wales last year – which also follows a 100 per cent success rate in 2014.

Superintendent Hubbard added: “It is encouraging that some of the figures are down on last year and that the numbers of complaints being dealt with by education and advice are going up, as we would always much rather improve animal welfare by giving advice to owners if at all possible.

“Yet even if some of the overall numbers are lower, the level of depravity we have seen in 2015 continues to be a concern and is as bad as previous years.”

Rocky from Pembrokeshire couldn’t see due to the matted hair over his eyes. He was in a poor body condition, and was kept in a small cage with not a lot of room to turn around in. His owners were disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years. Rocky has been rehomed.

Charity

Christmas jumper fundraiser raises £360 for youth counselling

Published

19 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CHRISTMAS Jumper Day fundraiser held by staff at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd has raised £360 for the Megan’s Starr Foundation, helping fund vital mental health support for young people.

The money, presented to the charity by Carla and Liam, will pay for 10 professional counselling sessions for young people who are struggling and in urgent need of support.

The Megan’s Starr Foundation said the sessions provide a safe space for young people to talk, be listened to, and feel supported at a time when it matters most.

In a statement, the charity thanked the firm and its staff for getting involved, adding that access to timely support can be life changing and can help young people realise they are not alone.

The foundation said it was grateful to everyone at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd who took part, describing the donation as one that will have a real and lasting impact on local young people and their mental health.

News

Investigation launched after man found dead near Carmarthen railway line

Published

19 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man whose body was found in a field close to the railway track near Carmarthen railway station.

Emergency services were called to the area at just after 8:30am on Saturday (Jan 10). Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended alongside paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Witnesses reported seeing police and ambulance vehicles outside the station’s main entrance, with officers also in an adjacent field near a railway bridge.

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

A police spokesperson said enquiries are ongoing and the death is currently being treated as unexplained.

No further details, including the man’s age or identity, have been released.

Crime

Former Gwent detective would have been sacked after off duty assault conviction

Published

20 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Ex officer found guilty of gross misconduct following Devon incident and magistrates court conviction

A FORMER Gwent Police detective sergeant has been found guilty of gross misconduct after being convicted of assaulting a man while off duty in Devon.

Joanne Marston resigned from the force shortly before an accelerated misconduct hearing was due to begin at Cwmbran on Monday. The panel went ahead in her absence.

The hearing was told the incident happened in February 2024 while Marston was off duty in Devon. She was later arrested and charged with common assault, and was convicted at Exeter Magistrates’ Court in March last year.

A professional standards investigation concluded she had breached the police standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct. The panel upheld the allegation and found it amounted to gross misconduct.

Had she remained a serving officer, the panel ruled she would have been dismissed without notice.

Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend, who chaired the hearing, said the former officer’s actions were “shocking and unacceptable” and warned that such behaviour damages public confidence in policing.

Marston will now be placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing her from serving with any police force in the UK.