Community

Carmarthenshire man sentenced for neglecting collie’s amputation

Published

9 months ago

September 23, 2025

Vet described Floss as having “traumatic injuries” – dog now in a new home

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has received a suspended prison sentence after failing to seek veterinary treatment for a collie suffering severe leg injuries, including the traumatic amputation of a limb.

Dyfrig John Davies, born 1961, of St Clears, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Friday (19 September) and pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act.

The court heard that Davies failed to ensure the welfare of his black-and-white female collie, Floss, by neglecting to obtain timely and necessary veterinary care.

Davies was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge and £400 in costs. The court further encouraged him to consider making a personal donation to the RSPCA towards the cost of Floss’s treatment.

In mitigation, the court heard that Davies was remorseful. He admitted arranging for a gamekeeper to shoot Floss but said he was let down, and accepted he should instead have taken her to a vet.

Deputy Chief Inspector Gemma Cooper, who attended the farm on 12 January, described finding Floss in a garage: “At the back of the garage was a black and white female collie laying on blankets, with her back left foot sloughed off and all the bones exposed. The bone in her front left elbow was also exposed, and she had multiple puncture wounds on her other legs. She was extremely subdued and made no attempt to move.”

She was told that Floss had been in a dog fight, had gone missing for several weeks, and returned home the previous day.

Floss was taken for urgent treatment. A vet confirmed she had suffered “obvious traumatic injuries including traumatic amputation of the left hind paw” and exposure of the elbow bone in the forelimb. Additional puncture wounds and muscle wastage were also noted. Despite her injuries, the vet reported that Floss was alert and stable.

Floss underwent treatment and surgery costing £6,000. She has since made a full recovery, was signed over to the Dogs Trust, and has now found a forever home.

Community

Man found dead near Carmarthen railway line died from hypothermia

Published

5 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

A 32-YEAR-OLD man found dead near Carmarthen Train Station died after taking shelter on a bitterly cold night, an inquest has heard.

Edward Mark Owen, originally from Birmingham but living in Ystradgynlais, was discovered in a field beside the railway line on the approach to Carmarthen station on Saturday, January 10.

A Transport for Wales train driver had spotted what appeared to be a body lying face down near the track shortly after 8:30am.

Police and railway staff attended and found Mr Owen lying face down and topless in the field. His coat, T-shirt, phone and cigarettes were found nearby.

Police initially treated the death as unexplained.

Movements traced

The inquest heard that officers later traced Mr Owen’s movements from his home in Ystradgynlais to Carmarthen.

He had nowhere to stay in the town and had taken shelter under a bridge near the railway station during a particularly cold night.

The coroner said Mr Owen had “sadly succumbed to the effects of hypothermia”.

The fact that he had removed his T-shirt and coat was said to be consistent with a confused state brought on by hypothermia.

A conclusion of misadventure was recorded.

The coroner found that Mr Owen died sometime on January 10, 2026.

Community

Milford Haven firefighters prepare for key assessments

Published

5 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ON-CALL firefighters at Milford Haven Fire Station have been put through their paces as part of their weekly drill night.

The crew’s development firefighters were pictured carrying out a “drill by numbers” squad exercise ahead of upcoming assessments.

New firefighters spend their first 24 months in a development period, which is split into four stages and focuses on different operational skills and competencies.

At the end of each stage, firefighters attend a divisional training centre where their progress is assessed against the standards required by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Over the next two weeks, members of the Milford Haven crew will take part in a Stage 2 interim assessment and a Stage 4 final assessment.

One firefighter is hoping to complete the final stage and qualify as a fully competent firefighter.

The station said Wednesday nights remain an important part of training for the on-call crew, helping firefighters maintain the skills needed to respond to emergencies across the Milford Haven area.

Community

Armed Forces Day exhibition opens at VC Gallery’s new Riverside home

Published

10 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A UNIQUE exhibition bringing together military history, art and veterans’ stories will open to the public in Haverfordwest as part of Armed Forces Day celebrations later this month.

The VC Gallery will host a special open day at its new Riverside Gallery on Saturday, June 27, inviting the community to explore an exhibition featuring works from the Imperial War Museum alongside historic wartime artefacts, trench art and pieces connected to celebrated Welsh artist Augustus John.

The event will also showcase contemporary artwork created by Armed Forces veterans who served in conflicts including Korea, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Organisers say the exhibition highlights not only military history and remembrance, but also the role creativity can play in supporting mental health, wellbeing and recovery.

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to meet members of the VC Gallery team and learn more about an ambitious new project aimed at supporting veterans, families and the wider community.

The exhibition combines nationally significant historical works with personal stories of service and resilience, offering a rare opportunity to view military history through the eyes of those who experienced it.

Families are particularly welcome, with guided family art tours available by advance booking.

The event begins at 10:00am and takes place at the VC Riverside Gallery in Haverfordwest.

Anyone wishing to reserve a place on a guided family tour should email [email protected].

The VC Gallery said it is looking forward to welcoming visitors as it commemorates Armed Forces Day while celebrating the power of art, heritage and community to bring people together.