News

Five year ban for man with lice riddled puppies

Published

9 years ago

July 4, 2017

MAGISTRATES at Haverfordwest Law Court have imposed a five year ban from keeping animals on a 27-year-old man who sold puppies that were riddled with lice.

Timothy Dean Lovell, of The Hills Caravan Park of Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing to ensure that the needs of an animal were kept.

John Tarrant, who was prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said: “On November 22, 2016 Katherine Press responded to Gumtree advert for a Springer Spaniel.

“The seller was a person named Timmy, and contact was to be made by text, and she had done so. She attended and spoke to a person called Michelle, and was taken to a shed at the rear of the property.

“She chose a puppy that she called Bella – no papers were provided, and she was told that everything had been done at the vets. She put puppy in a vest to travel, and thought she saw what looked like sawdust on its coat, but it appeared to be moving.

“She immediately contacted her vets, who described her as quiet and bordering on depressed, with an infestation of biting lice. The vet said that it was the worst infestation he had witnessed since becoming a vet, and it was likey the puppy had been suffering sicne birth, which would have been 2-5 weeks.”

The court heard that Ms Press said the puppy was suffering with malnutrition, and had a heart condition. She wrapped the puppy in a dressing gown before going to bed, and in the morning the dressing gown was covered in ‘hundreds of dead lice’.

Bella’s condition ‘quickly resolved itself’.

Mr Tarrant said: “She phoned [Lovell] to say she wasn’t happy with the condition of Bella. He seemed shocked at the condition of the puppy, and offered to swap it with another one – she refused that.

“He made contact with the vets, and agreed to return £100 into her bank account.”

The court also heard that in January this year, Ms Becky Rates was looking for a puppy for her mother, and she too found an advert on Gumtree’s website. She paid a £100 deposit and drove to Lovell’s address.

Mr Tarrant said: “[Lovell] waved them down and she was handed a box with a puppy inside. She noticed immediately what she thought was a skin condition, however £250 in cash was given.

“During the journey back home she noticed the puppy’s skin was dry with flakes, fleas with scabs on its skin. Lovell said he had been given wormer by the RSPCA, but box puppy had came in smelt dirty.

“She was immediately concerned about the safety of the puppy. The puppy had been scratching itself near the ears.”

The court heard that when the puppy was re-examined in 2017, it had made a ‘remarkabe transformation’, and had a shiny coat, no pot belly, a bright demeanour, and a 59% increase in body weight.

Mr Tarrant said that Lovell claimed he had gone to Pets At Home and bought flea and wormer, stating he didn’t think anything was particularly wrong. He said: “They were accidental litters, and denied it was to make money.”

In Lovell’s defence, Jane Thomas told the court that he did not deliberately set out to hurt the animals, and wasn’t prepared for family dog to have so many puppies, and he ‘didn’t really know how to care for them’.

In addition to being banned from keeping animals, he was also made subject to a 12 month community order, with the requirement of completing 150 hours of unpaid work.

Keith Hogben, RSPCA inspector, said: “Sadly, this man chose to make a quick buck from ill pups – flogging these two defenceless creatures when they urgently needed his support.

“The man chose cash over compassion, but thankfully both pups have recovered from the ordeal, and are now doing well in loving new homes.

“Owning animals is a privilege, and this case shows the RSPCA will not stand-by when people treat breeding pets as a cash bonus without necessary regard for the welfare of the animals involved.”

Community

New foal born at Dyfed Shire Farm as rare breed season begins

Published

5 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Suffolk Punch mare gives birth to strong colt foal ahead of May bank holiday farm opening

DYFED SHIRE FARM has welcomed its first foal of 2026, with a Suffolk Punch mare giving birth to a strong colt.

The new arrival was announced on Saturday by the Pembrokeshire farm, which said the foal is from mare Dixie and is doing well.

In a social media post, the farm said: “Mother nature working 100% as we would want.”

The birth will be seen as a boost for the farm and for supporters of traditional horse breeds, with the Suffolk Punch regarded as one of Britain’s rarest native working horse breeds.

Dyfed Shire Farm has not yet chosen a name for the colt and has invited the public to send in suggestions.

The farm is preparing to open to visitors over the early May bank holiday weekend, with opening times announced for Friday, May 1 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, and again on Sunday, May 3 and Monday, May 4. Visitors are expected to be able to see Dixie and her foal during the open days.

The Pembrokeshire attraction also used the announcement to promote stays at its campsite as interest grows around the latest addition.

Images shared online show the foal standing close to its mother in a field, as well as resting in the spring sunshine.

Photo caption: New arrival: Dyfed Shire Farm has announced the birth of its first foal of 2026, a Suffolk Punch colt born to mare Dixie (Pics: Dyfed Shire Farm).

Climate

National emergency film screening in Narberth calls for urgent climate action

Published

6 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Campaigners warn climate and nature crisis is already affecting communities and say stronger government action cannot be delayed

PEMBROKESHIRE FRIENDS OF THE EARTH has renewed calls for urgent action on climate change and nature loss following a recent film screening and discussion at the Bloomfield Centre in Narberth.

The event focused on the growing threat posed by climate change and the decline of the natural environment, with campaigners warning that the challenges facing the country are more immediate and serious than many people realise.

The film featured broadcaster and environmental campaigner Chris Packham introducing presentations from a range of experts, including climate scientists and military voices. They called on the Government to launch a national response to the climate and nature crisis, showing the same level of leadership seen during World War Two and the financial crisis.

Those involved in the campaign say the aim is to push for a much stronger national effort to reduce emissions, protect wildlife and prepare communities for the effects of a more dangerous climate.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth said extreme weather, including heavier rainfall, is only the beginning of what lies ahead if urgent action is not taken.

They warned that climate and nature breakdown could increasingly damage public health, food systems, infrastructure, national security and economic stability.

The group says there is strong evidence that bold action would not only cut emissions and improve resilience, but also create jobs and improve lives.

Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth is calling for emergency legislation to speed up cuts in climate-changing emissions while investing in measures to help communities adapt.

For further information, contact Bettina Becker at Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth on [email protected]or 01437 563657.

Local Government

Dog bin misuse causing mess at Haverfordwest Racecourse

Published

6 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Town council says general litter is blocking dog waste bins and leaving walkers with nowhere to dispose of bagged waste properly

HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL has urged Racecourse users to dispose of rubbish responsibly after repeated misuse of dog waste bins.

The council said it provides both general waste and dog waste facilities at the Upper and Lower Racecourse, as well as at most other green spaces it owns or maintains.

However, it has received ongoing reports — backed by photographic evidence — of general litter, including coffee cups and other rubbish, being placed in dog waste bins at Haverfordwest Racecourse.

Council officials say this misuse is causing the bins to become blocked and appear full when they are not. As a result, dog walkers are sometimes left with no option but to place bagged dog waste beside the bins, creating what the council described as an avoidable and unpleasant environment for everyone.

The council said this was not acceptable and could easily be avoided.

Dog waste bins are intended for bagged dog waste only and should not be used for general litter.

The council is asking all users to avoid putting general rubbish in dog bins and instead either take litter home or use the appropriate general waste bins available elsewhere on the Racecourse.

The town clerk thanked the majority of responsible users for their cooperation and said their support helps keep the Racecourse clean and welcoming for everyone.