News
Police swoop finds caged dogs
WHEN Fishguard Port police stopped and searched a transit van when it arrived from Rosslare last September, they discovered almost a dozen dogs in blanket-covered cages.
The two bitches and nine puppies – destined for London – were seized by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Animal Health and Welfare Officers and placed in quarantine at a local kennel as the owner did not have the necessary documentation.
The officers arranged for the animals to be examined by a vet who found them in poor condition and full of worms.
The vet also concluded that two of the pups were too young to be transported without their mother and, a short time later, one of them died.
While at the kennels the surviving dogs were given the necessary care and vaccinations.
At Haverfordwest magistrates on Wednesday (Aug 24), the driver of the van, mother of six Martina O’Brien from Surrey, admitted two Animal Welfare offences.
She was fined £180 for each offence but this was reduced to £120 because of an early guilty plea. Full costs of £2,115.40 were also awarded, together with a £20 victim surcharge making a total of £2,375.40. She will pay at a rate of £10 per fortnight.
O’Brien appeared before the court after a warrant was issued for her arrest having failed to appear before magistrates earlier this year.
Her solicitor, Jonathan Webb, said she had failed to attend court initially because she was fleeing domestic violence.
Mr Webb said the defendant had relied on the word of the person who had sold her the dogs that they had been weaned and wormed.
He added that O’Brien had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity for which she should be given credit.
After the hearing, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, Huw George, said the Authority would not tolerate any illegal landing of dogs through any port in Pembrokeshire.
“Regular checks are carried out to ensure that all dogs transported through the ports have the correct documentation with them” said Councillor George.
“Fortunately, in this case, the story does have a happy ending. All the remaining dogs and puppies have since been rehomed.”
Crime
Man arrested after police stop car on Pembroke Dock street
A MAN was arrested after police stopped a car on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, on Saturday afternoon (Apr 4).
Witnesses said the incident happened at around 5:00pm outside Bargain Booze, when two police vehicles – one marked and one unmarked – pulled over a motorist.
According to one bystander, officers searched the boot of the vehicle and arrested the man straight afterwards.
The same witness said what was suspected to be Class A drugs were found, although that detail has not been confirmed by police.
The man was taken away in a police car, while an officer drove the suspect’s vehicle from the scene.
The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.
Image: File photo
News
Here is an improved version in a cleaner news style:
Students to get wider access to EMA support
MORE students in Pembrokeshire could soon qualify for a £40-a-week education grant as the Welsh Government expands eligibility for the Education Maintenance Allowance.
From September, an extra 1,500 students aged 16 to 18 across Wales will be able to claim the weekly payment, which is designed to help young people stay on in education.
Eluned Morgan MS welcomed the change, saying it would allow more families in Pembrokeshire to benefit from the support.
She said: “Wales already has the most generous EMA offer in the UK. Under a Tory government it was scrapped in England, while Scotland and Northern Ireland offer students less money than in Wales.
“EMA helps young people with costs like books, transport and meals – all things which can affect the cost of living for families.
“Every young person deserves the opportunity to reach their potential, so I am proud that, because of Welsh Labour choices, more students will be supported to do so.”
More than 18,000 students in Wales currently receive EMA, which is available to learners aged 16 to 18 from households below a set income threshold.
The Welsh Government said the latest expansion will mean even more young people can access weekly support from September.
Eluned Morgan said: “The Welsh EMA is breaking down barriers for learners in Pembrokeshire. Everybody deserves an equal opportunity to access education, and providing £40 a week to those eligible is one of the ways in which the Welsh Labour Government is making this a reality.
“Hundreds of learners in Pembrokeshire claim their EMA every year. At £40 a week, Welsh Labour delivers the most generous offer in the UK.
“I know this money makes a real difference for students and their families with the cost of living.
“And, of course, the Welsh Government’s £1 bus fare scheme for young people is helping to make the EMA go even further for families across Pembrokeshire.
“I would urge all 16 to 18-year-olds and their families in the county to take a few minutes to check whether they qualify for support.”
EMA can be used to help with education-related costs including transport, meals and study supplies.
Applications for the new EMA offer open on Monday (Apr 27).
Students and families can check eligibility and apply through Student Finance Wales, or speak to their school or college.
If you want, I can also turn this into a fuller Pembrokeshire Herald article with headline and subheading.
News
Emergency services respond to incident in Haverfordwest town centre
EMERGENCY SERVICES were called to an incident in Haverfordwest town centre on Saturday morning (Apr 4), with police and ambulance crews attending near County Sports.
Pedestrians were asked to avoid part of the area while the incident was being dealt with, causing some disruption in the town centre.
A witness told The Herald they were walking towards Old Bridge when they were stopped from going through.
The witness said: “I was walking towards the Old Bridge and was told that I had to go around due to a medical emergency.”
The nature of the incident has not yet been officially confirmed.
The Herald understands the emergency response remained in place for some time as crews dealt with the situation.
We have contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.
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Arctic Roll
August 26, 2016 at 12:48 pm
This human (if you could call her one) is just one of many money makers animal haters who sell puppies without a care in the world. This must be stopped.