A BULLDOG was left permanently blind after suffering prolonged neglect by its owner, a court has heard.

George suffered substantial levels of suffering between July 12 and December 20, 2025, after his owner, Michael McGartland, failed to seek prompt veterinary treatment despite the animal’s significant decline.

McGartland, 70, of The Woodlands, Lower Level, Kilgetty, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

District Judge Mark Layton said the seriousness of the offence meant an all-options probation report would be required before sentence.

McGartland will be sentenced on June 23.

He was released on unconditional bail.

A WARRANT without bail has been issued for a Pembrokeshire man accused of capturing goldfinches from the wild.

Colwyn Robert Probert, 38, is accused of intentionally taking wild birds, namely goldfinches, at The Glebe in Tenby on or before October 17, 2025.

He is also charged with having 13 wild goldfinches in his possession or control, attempting to take wild birds on or before October 16, 2025, and failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the needs of the 13 goldfinches were met.

Probert, of Kingsmoor Caravan Park, Kilgetty, was listed to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (May 26), where he was expected to enter pleas to all four offences.

After he failed to attend court, District Judge Mark Layton issued a warrant without bail for his arrest.

A TREE surgeon has appeared before magistrates accused of driving while nearly three times over the drink-drive limit.

Ruan Austin, 49, is accused of driving an Audi along Holyland Road, Pembroke, on May 9 with 100mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

“He was seen towing a caravan in a local petrol station, and a report was made to police by a member of the public who believed he’d been drinking,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

“The defendant was then found inside the caravan, so this was a culmination of being seen intoxicated and then seen in the caravan.”

Austin, of Tanlan, Silian, Lampeter, denied the charge when he appeared before the court by live video link.

“I was asleep in my caravan and was taken out and breathalysed,” he told the court.

“I was then taken into custody, so I don’t really understand what’s going on. I’m a tree surgeon and this is all very alien to me.”

District Judge Mark Layton adjourned the case until June 4 to allow Austin time to consider the prosecution evidence ahead of his next appearance at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court.

Austin was released on unconditional bail.