News

Holidaymaker injured in Pembrkoeshire suing dog owner for £5m

Published

3 years ago

May 20, 2022

A DUTCH holidaymaker who was injured while visiting Pembrokeshire is suing in the High Court for financial compensation.

The man was left needing a wheelchair after a local’s Westie terrier ran at his horse during a ride on a Druidston Haven Beach – and how he is suing the dog owner for up to £5million.

Financial advisor Lourens Koetsier, 63, suffered a severe spinal injury when he was thrown from his horse during a guide-led ride-out June 2018.

Financial advisor: Lourens Koetsier, 63, suffered a severe spinal injury when he was thrown from his horse (Image: Facebook)

Mr Koetsier claims the accident occurred because an unleashed West Highland Terrier named Max ran under his horse, spooking it into bucking and throwing him to the ground.

The tourist, who was holidaying in Pembrokeshire with his wife, is now suing for up to £5million at the High Court, saying Max’s owner, David Clifford Thomas, should have had him on a lead.

But Mr Thomas, who had had Max since he was a puppy, says there is no reason to blame his ‘small, elderly and gentle’ Westie for the accident, and denies liability.

And he insists there was no reason why he should have had to leash Max while walking him on a beach where local bylaws allow pet owners to let their dogs run freely.

According to documents filed at the London court, the financial advisor Mr Koetsier and his wife Monique were on holiday in Wales when he decided to go on the ride in June 2018.

He is an experienced horseman, having owned a pony as a child and competed as an adult, riding Dutch warmblood sport horses from his teens until he was in his forties.

On the day of the accident, he paid for a guide-led canter along the mile-long Druidston Haven beach through ride providers Nolton Stables, in nearby Haverfordwest.

Mr Thomas’s dog was spotted by the riders running off its leash on the sand, as the horses took an initial canter, his lawyers say.

Then as the riders set off for a second canter Max began running towards Mr Koetsier’s group from behind, barking as it approached.

Bonfire the horse bucked in fear and threw Mr Koetsier off and to the ground.

Mr Koetsier was evacuated by air ambulance, having sustained a central spinal cord injury, which required fusion of some of his vertebrae, leaving him with incomplete tetraplegia.

He now experiences spasms and has impaired hand function, while his ability to care for himself, get around and work have been ‘substantially impaired,’ says his barrister.

He uses a wheelchair when outside, although he can walk short distances with a walking frame, and his home has had to be specially adapted to be suitable for his needs.

Mr Chapman claims that Max’s owner Mr Thomas is liable to pay compensation because he should have had the dog under control, which would have prevented the accident happening.

He also blames LJP Owen Ltd, trading as Nolton Stables, for allowing the group to canter a second time after Max had first been seen running off his lead.

For Mr Thomas, barrister Andrew Arentsen said there was no reason why Max should have been on his lead, since Druidston beach is regularly used by dog walkers to exercise their pets freely.

He also denied that Max was an aggressive dog, having been with Mr Thomas’ family since he was a puppy and, by the time of the accident, already ‘elderly’ at nearly 14 years old.

He says Max had shown initially only a ‘mild interest’ in the horses that day and he only ran after them when they cantered a second time.

‘Perhaps because the horses had passed at speed, perhaps out of curiosity or perhaps out of a sense of fun, Max turned and ran towards the group of horses who had just passed him,’ says Mr Arentsen.

He adds: ‘The accident occurred because the group of horses stopped, having cantered past Max, and because the claimant lost control of his horse and lost his seat upon the same.’

For LJP Owen Ltd, which operates as Nolton Stables, barrister Charles Woodhouse denies that it was at fault for Mr Koetsier’s accident, since the horse in question was perfectly comfortable around dogs.

The company, which serves 6,000 customers a year, keeps dogs loose at the stables so horses can acclimatise to them, and any which are not comfortable around dogs would be sold, he says.

He says the company does not know precisely what the horse did when the dog ran to him, but that one staff member thought he may have attempted to jump over the Westie.

‘The risk of a horse bucking, jumping, rearing or otherwise moving in such a way as to unseat its rider is an ordinary risk of riding horses of which the claimant was well aware and which he voluntarily accepted in choosing to ride Bonfire,’ he says.

The case reached court last week for a preparatory hearing ahead of a full trial of the claim at a later date. Lawyers for Mr Koetsier said they would be seeking a damages payout of up to £5million.

Charity

Shalom House adapts to community needs amid financial struggles

Published

11 mins ago

December 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A HOSPICE in St Davids is finding new ways to support the community after financial challenges forced changes to its operations. Shalom House, a well-loved facility on Nun Street, has shifted its focus in recent years, balancing healthcare provision with its founding mission.

Established in 2007, Shalom House was originally designed as a five-bed hospice offering respite and palliative care. Its creation was made possible by the donation of the property from Elizabeth de Guise, a novelist with a deep connection to Pembrokeshire. However, rising costs and funding shortfalls have led to significant changes in how the hospice operates.

In late October, the closure of St Davids Surgery prompted Shalom House to repurpose two of its rooms for use by a branch surgery. The facility is now home to a service staffed by practice nurses under Hywel Dda Health Board, ensuring local residents continue to have access to healthcare.

Balancing priorities

While the move has been welcomed by many in the area, it has come at a cost. Shalom House now operates with three respite beds instead of five, a change that has sparked concern among some supporters.

“We had to make a difficult decision,” a spokesperson for the hospice said. “Our primary goal is to serve the community, and this arrangement allows us to do so in multiple ways. The branch surgery provides vital medical care while helping us generate income to keep Shalom House open.”

The hospice continues to offer day-care services to several patients each week, with additional respite care provided as resources allow. Trustees are optimistic that full capacity can be restored in the future, depending on funding.

Community campaign brings hope

Despite the challenges, Shalom House has received overwhelming support from the Pembrokeshire community. A recent campaign, “Save Shalom,” has seen donations increase dramatically, offering a glimmer of hope for the hospice’s long-term future.

Local resident and campaign volunteer, Jenny Williams, said: “Shalom House means so much to so many people. It’s more than a building—it’s a lifeline for families across the county. We’re determined to do everything we can to keep it running.”

Looking ahead

The trustees are exploring new ways to raise funds and expand services, with plans to launch a series of community events next year. They have also expressed gratitude for the continued generosity of local residents, whose donations remain crucial.

“Shalom House has always been about Pembrokeshire’s people,” said the spokesperson. “Every penny donated helps us provide care and support to those who need it most. We’re confident that, with the community behind us, we can overcome these challenges.”

For more information about Shalom House or to make a donation, visit www.shalomstdavids.org.

Entertainment

A Christmas spectacular at St Davids Cathedral delights audience

Published

24 mins ago

December 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A CHRISTMAS celebration of music and song enthralled audiences at St Davids Cathedral on Saturday (Dec 14), as the St Davids Cathedral Choir and Vox Angelica presented A Christmas Spectacular. The event, which began at 7:00pm, offered a festive evening of performances set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of one of Wales’ most iconic landmarks.

The concert featured the talented harpist Bethan Semmens, who captivated listeners with her intricate and emotive playing. A Cardiff native, Semmens studied at the Royal College of Music and has performed at prestigious events across the UK and internationally. Her contributions to the evening brought an enchanting touch to the programme.

The night was packed with beloved seasonal pieces, showcasing both choral and soloist performances. Highlights included the timeless Good King Wenceslas, Winter Wonderland, and festive classics such as The Twelve Days of Christmas. The Cathedral Choir delivered stirring renditions under the vaulted ceilings, with carols and arrangements that beautifully resonated throughout the space.

Special moments featured solos by Harriet Pearce and Sophie Cooke, who lent their voices to favourites like There Is No Rose and Balulalow. The audience was further treated to a moving arrangement of A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten, performed in harmony with Bethan Semmens’ harp accompaniment.

A medley of carols encouraged audience participation, culminating in a joyful and spirited atmosphere. Families, friends, and visitors joined their voices for classics that brought warmth and festivity to the wintry evening.

The performance concluded with an uplifting recessional, leaving attendees with a sense of seasonal cheer. The Cathedral, adorned with Christmas trees and lights, provided the perfect setting for what many described as an unforgettable musical experience.

The Herald understands that A Christmas Spectacular was a resounding success, with plans already underway for next year’s event.

News

Greyhound racing regulator welcomes Welsh Government support for licensing

Published

36 mins ago

December 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE GREYHOUND BOARD OF GREAT BRITAIN, which oversees Wales’s only licensed greyhound racing track, has welcomed a statement by the Welsh Government on the licensing of animal establishments following a public consultation earlier this year.

GBGB, as the regulator for the licensed greyhound racing sector, expressed its commitment to continued collaboration with the Welsh Government to enhance the welfare of racing greyhounds. The statement, delivered by the Deputy First Minister, summarized responses to the consultation on licensing animal welfare establishments, activities, and exhibits.

Broad support for licensing

The consultation responses, which included contributions from GBGB, racing industry stakeholders, and animal welfare charities, demonstrated clear support for licensing animal welfare establishments. Respondents highlighted the positive economic, social, cultural, and welfare impacts of GBGB’s regulation of greyhound racing in Wales, particularly at the Valley Stadium.

Mark Bird, Chief Executive of GBGB, said: “We welcome the consultation summary today, which shows very clearly the strength of support for effective and proportionate regulation to safeguard animal welfare – whether for commercial dog walkers and pet groomers or within greyhound racing.

“As the regulator for Wales’s greyhound racing track, the Valley Stadium, we have proven how robust licensing can transform welfare standards. Despite coordinated and misleading campaigns by animal rights groups – as evidenced by the duplicate responses flagged in the summary – these efforts have not gained definitive support for a phased ban.

“We are pleased the Government continues to prioritise a fully comprehensive, evidence-based, and measured approach to optimising welfare. As further work is carried out on effective regulation in Wales, we remain committed to engaging fully with the Deputy First Minister and his officials to promote and protect greyhound welfare.”

Welfare and economic benefits highlighted

Bird emphasized the benefits brought by GBGB’s licensing standards at the Valley Stadium:
“Valley Stadium’s management has invested significantly to meet GBGB’s rigorous licensing requirements. The track now benefits from the expertise of an on-site veterinary surgeon and the ongoing support of our national network of experts. Racing greyhounds enjoy more protections and oversight than the general pet dog population across Wales.

“This licensing has not only enhanced welfare but also generated jobs, growth, and a strong base of local supporters who value the opportunity to enjoy this historic Welsh pastime with welfare at its core.”

Views from animal welfare organisations

The summary of consultation responses featured contributions from respected animal welfare organisations, including Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and The Kennel Club.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home recommended robust regulation, stating:
“Battersea would strongly recommend regulation of Greyhound racing go beyond solely regulating the stadia to also account for trainer kennels, where racing Greyhounds spend 95% of their lives. Regulation should be based on proven, enforceable standards that safeguard welfare.”

The Kennel Club supported licensing, noting:
“We would suggest that it would be premature to ban greyhound racing in Wales without giving a licensing scheme an opportunity to demonstrate that racing can be regulated and operate to acceptable welfare standards.”

Looking ahead

GBGB remains committed to working with the Welsh Government to uphold the highest welfare standards in greyhound racing while ensuring the sport continues to contribute positively to local communities and the economy.