News

Greenacres now responsible for stray dogs

Published

10 years ago

April 19, 2016

ON FRIDAY (Apr 1), Greenacres Animal Rescue became primarily responsible for the care of any stray dogs which are found in Pembrokeshire.

Working with Pembrokeshire County Council and Dog Wardens in the area, the rescue centre has now become the chief carer for dogs until they are reunited with their owners.

In circumstances where unfortunately the owner cannot be located or the dog is sadly no longer wanted, Greenacres will be responsible for the rehoming of the animal which will take place seven days after the animal has been found.

However, attempts are always made to return stray dogs to their owners by examining the collar, tag or microchip of the lost dog. Also, for over a year, dog wardens have been successfully using social media to reunite lost dogs with their owners by posting pictures and details about the pets on Facebook and Twitter.

The importance of microchipping has been highlighted by the procedure becoming compulsory for all dogs over eight weeks old on Wednesday (Apr 6). If a dog loses its collar, the microchip offers a foolproof way for any lost animal to be returned to its owner.

Tom Hayes, Principal Environmental Health Officer at Pembrokeshire County Council, told The Herald: “This is a new partnership which just started on April 1, as part of a provision to look after dogs in our county.

“The service will run from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, but there are currently no provisions for outof- hours services.

“Dog wardens will take any stray dogs to Greenacres Animal Rescue, where any misplaced owners will have seven days to claim their dog, before the dog is transferred to the rescue part of the kennels where it will be rehomed.

“In the past, this service has been managed well by Llanstiman Kennels in Trecwn, and I’m sure it will continue to be managed well by Greenacres Animal Rescue in the future.

“However, as part of a routine finance retender which is done every three years, Greenacres Animal Rescue made a bid for the new partnership and won.

“There was no past dissatisfaction with Llanstiman – this decision was purely down to the financial aspects of the situation.

“We had no qualms with either service. At the end of the day, one was simply cheaper than the other, leaving Greenacres to win the contract.”

This year, Pembrokeshire County Council were awarded the Silver medal by RSPCA Cymru’s Community Animal Welfare Footprint Scheme, which recognises the commitment and achievement of local authorities in delivering and improving animal welfare.

Paul Smith, Public Affairs Manager for RSPCA Cymru, said of the award: “It is fantastic that for the sixth year in a row, the Pembrokeshire team have been recognised for the fantastic work that they do in tackling stray dogs but maximising the animal welfare of the dogs they pick up.”

There were a host of positive comments posted on social media about the partnership.

Eluned Kronacher-Edwards said: “Well done, it makes more sense to have the pound closer to where most strays seem to be found, and also you can give proper rescue backup for rehoming.”

Lesley Evans said: “Huge undertaking, but great news for dogs in Pembrokeshire and any owners looking for one they lost – a one stop shop. Brilliant.”

Beverley Hinksman stated: “Lovely news. It will cut down the amount of stress that these poor souls go through.”

Greenacres Animal Rescue told The Herald: “We are so pleased to be now caring for the stray dogs for Pembrokeshire County Council. We are hoping that with the new microchipping law, it will be much easier to reunite lost dogs with their owners.”

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

18 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

24 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.

Crime

Rogue roofer conned homeowner out of thousands

Published

40 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Caerphilly investigation leads to court conviction

A ROGUE trader from Pembroke has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after duping a homeowner into handing over thousands for unnecessary roofing work.

Douggie Whitbread, aged twenty-five and living at Coldwell Terrace, Pembroke, persuaded his victim that he “probably needed a new roof” before charging £4,350 for work that was either unnecessary or not carried out properly.

Whitbread admitted two counts of fraud relating to a property on Griffiths Street, Ystrad Mynach, with the offences taking place between August 12 and October 16, 2023.

He appeared before Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, where he was ordered to pay a total of £6,130. That includes £4,350 in compensation, £1,500 in prosecution costs, a £200 fine, and an £80 victim surcharge.

The case was brought following an investigation by Caerphilly Trading Standards, who urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited offers of home maintenance work.