Community

Cats poisoned in Milford Haven: Community urged to stay vigilant

Published

6 months ago

May 29, 2024

A TRAGIC wave of cat poisonings has struck the Hakin area of Milford Haven, prompting urgent warnings from local veterinarians and distressed pet owners. Lowri Bamford Lewis has been forced to put down her family cat after it was poisoned by antifreeze. This heartbreaking incident follows a similar tragedy last year when another of her cats met the same fate.

Last Friday (May 24), Lowri took her ailing cat to All Pets Vet Care in Milford Haven. After running tests, the veterinarians confirmed that the cat had ingested antifreeze, leading to the painful decision to euthanise the pet. The family is devastated, having already endured the loss of another cat to antifreeze poisoning the previous year.

Lowri’s mother, Sharon Staples, shared their harrowing experience with The Pembrokeshire Herald. “Last year, my daughter took the cat straight to the vets after picking the kids up from school. The vet originally thought that the cat had fallen off a wall as he was displaying symptoms of concussion. The next day, the cat still wasn’t well, so the vets ran more tests and found the cat had been poisoned by antifreeze, which they said was done deliberately because no one would leave out antifreeze in the summer. They fought for days to save him, but he had to be put down.”

The family has faced considerable financial strain, with vet bills amounting to £1,100 this week and £1,600 last year. Despite this, they are more concerned about raising awareness and preventing further heartbreak. “It’s not fair on the children,” said Sharon. “The cat was more like a dog than a cat to the kids and followed them around the house. They had a really close bond.”

Sharon also mentioned that a neighbour on their street lost two young cats under similar circumstances. Given the number of cases, All Pets Vet Care issued a statement last summer, urging pet owners in the area to remain vigilant and recognise the symptoms of poisoning.

“Because it appears that the antifreeze is being put down deliberately, we’re urging anyone who suspects their cat may have consumed it to take them to their vet as soon as possible,” said a spokesperson for All Pets Vet Care. “The animals start displaying their first symptoms around 30 minutes after ingesting the poison, but sometimes cat owners are unsure whether to act promptly in case their symptoms are being caused by something else.”

The vets explained that initial symptoms of antifreeze poisoning include vomiting and excessive sleeping, which is contrary to a cat’s usual behaviour. Difficulty in breathing, extreme wobbliness, and seizures may follow. “Sadly, by the time it reaches the final stage, kidney failure has set in, so it’s invariably too late to save the animal,” added the veterinary spokesperson.

All veterinary practices in and around Milford Haven have been alerted to the issue and are advising cat owners to be especially cautious. Cats are attracted to antifreeze due to its sweet taste, caused by the chemical ethylene glycol. Even a small amount can be fatal, with just one teaspoon (1.4ml) being enough to kill a cat. The poison works rapidly, often proving fatal within 24 hours. Immediate treatment is crucial to prevent irreversible, typically fatal, kidney damage.

The community is urged to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities that might endanger pets. The collective effort can help safeguard the beloved animals of Milford Haven from such cruel and preventable tragedies.

Community

Rent in Pembrokeshire rises 7% over past year

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2024

Design Team

NEW figures reveal that private rental costs in Pembrokeshire have climbed by 7% in the past year, with the average monthly rent reaching £625 in October. This is a significant increase from £582 a year earlier and represents a 22% rise over the past five years, where the average rent was estimated at £511.

The data, collected by Rent Officers Wales as part of the Housing and Regeneration Division, highlights growing pressure on tenants amidst rising costs. The collection aims to cover approximately 15% of the rental market by gathering data from landlords and letting agents.

Across Wales, the average monthly rent has risen 8% year-on-year to £766. Cardiff recorded the highest rental cost in the country at £1,062 per month, while Powys had the lowest at £556.

Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, commented on the challenges faced by renters in a press statement sent to The Pembrokeshire Herald. She said: “Getting good news about your rent is about as common as discovering your housemates have washed up for you, or your landlord suggesting you get a dog. For many, the only way out of the endless cycle of rising costs is to buy, but that’s far easier said than done when rents absorb so much of your income.”

The situation is compounded by a lack of available rental properties. Nathan Emerson, chief executive at Propertymark, explained: “As we continue to see further increases in rental prices across the UK, our members emphasize the lack of rental stock versus an ever-growing number of tenants. Selling up or turning to the short-term letting market has become a more attractive option for landlords due to challenging legislative changes and increased financial liabilities.”

Breakdown of Rental Costs in Pembrokeshire

The figures show a range of costs depending on property type and size in Pembrokeshire:

– A one-bedroom property: £462 per month

– A two-bedroom property: £576 per month

– A three-bedroom property: £732 per month

– Homes with four or more bedrooms: £934 per month

By property type:

– Detached houses: £768 per month

– Semi-detached houses: £653 per month

– Terraced houses: £629 per month

– Flats or maisonettes: £521 per month

In October, the average rent for private properties across Great Britain stood at £1,307 per month—up 9% compared to the same period last year. This equates to an increase of £105 per month.

As landlords adapt to changing regulations and financial pressures, the shortage of rental properties continues to push prices higher, creating further challenges for tenants across Pembrokeshire and beyond.

Climate

Pembrokeshire group plans for larger community wind turbine

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A NORTH Pembrokeshire group which has raised more than £76,000 from its community wind turbine for local projects is hoping to expand with a bigger turbine.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Abergwaun Community Turbine Ltd, through agent Machynlleth-based Dulas Ltd is hoping to get permission for a larger turbine to replace the existing Abergwaun Community Turbine.

The proposed turbine, in a pasture field at Trebover Farm, to the south of Fishguard, would be 67m tall, the existing 2015 one being 45 metres.

In supporting statements, parent company Transition Bro Gwaun said: “The Community Climate Fund (CCF) is the mechanism by which Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) is fulfilling our ambition of funding projects in Fishguard, Goodwick and across North Pembrokeshire, using income from the community wind turbine.

“The core themes for grants are climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancement of biodiversity and improvements to community resilience through promotion of community engagement and resource sharing.”

In 2015, TBG raised its 50 per cent share of capital funding for the project by means of loans from 28 local individuals and four community groups, contributing a total of £286,500, the other 50 per cent contributed by landowners Parc-y-Morfa Farms Ltd.

The statement added: “Profit generated by sale of electricity from the turbine is split 50:50 between TBG and Parcy-Morfa Farms Ltd through the jointly owned trading arm, Abergwaun Community Turbine. By the end of 2022, all loans had been repaid, allowing the launch of TBG’s Community Climate Fund. This year we have awarded our third round of grants bringing the total amount granted to £76,036.”

In 2022, £15,274 was awarded to seven projects, including Fishguard Sports AFC to install solar panels on their clubhouse as part of their Tregroes Park development, Ysgol Bro Gwaun for their Increasing Biodiversity and Bees project, and Nevern Valley Veg / Llysiau Cwm Nyfer to install a solar powered vegetable irrigation scheme.

In 2023, £39,85 was made available for seven projects, including Sea Trust Wales to part fund the installation of solar panels on the Ocean Lab roof and to produce a display on solar technology, Letterston Memorial Hall to part fund the installation of an air source heat pump heating system, and Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club to install solar panels on their clubhouse.

2024 awards of £20,917 were made to six projects, including Theatr Gwaun to insulate their loft to reduce heating loss, Parc Cerrig Growers for developing a rainwater harvesting system with a pond to irrigate their allotments, Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture for an electric cargo bike for delivering organic vegetables in the Fishguard and St Davids areas, and Nevern Valley Veg to develop wildlife ponds and rainwater harvesting for food production.

The supporting documentation concludes: “The repowering of the existing turbine at Trebover would require a limited increase in turbine size which would result in a very limited change in landscape and visual effects in comparison to the existing Trebover turbine.”

The application will be considered by planners at a later date.

Community

Council warns of icy conditions as temperatures drop

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ROAD users in Pembrokeshire are being urged to exercise caution tonight as temperatures are forecast to dip below freezing.

Pembrokeshire County Council has announced that road surface temperatures could reach as low as -2°C, with the possibility of sleet or snow on higher ground. In response, precautionary salting of the county’s primary routes will be carried out this evening and overnight.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Road users are advised to take care if travelling on untreated roads.”

Motorists are reminded to plan ahead and drive carefully, particularly in areas that may not have been treated.