News

Dyfed-Powys Police detain dog for two years

Published

8 years ago

May 3, 2018

A DOG has been detained by Dyfed-Powys Police for over two years as part of an inquiry. The police have yet to decide on whether the dog will be destroyed, re-homed or returned to its owner.

Full details were not provided as to why the animal has been kept in kennels for so long, with the force insisting that it was ‘an ongoing case’.

The costs of upholding the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act have been investigated by the BBC in Radio 4’s You and Yours programme, finding that dogs suspected of being pit bull terrier types were regularly held for longer than 14 weeks.

Senior Police have said that forces in both Wales and England were having to spend £3m annually for kennels, with delays blamed on lengthy disputes over breeds in court.

Last year, over 2,000 dogs were detained, most under the Dangerous Dogs Act, according to the 29 forces of England and Wales which responded to a Freedom of Information request. Of those dogs, at least 334 were detained due to suspicion of being a dangerous breed, although not necessarily a threat or out of control.

No more details have been released regarding the Dyfed-Powys case, but the programme found it to be the longest period of detention from the data they had.

Figures show that £105,246 in kennel, veterinary and transportation fees have been paid by Dyfed-Powys Police for 53 animals since 2014.

In the same time frame, North Wales Police had paid £154,307 but the number of animals detained by that force have not been revealed.

The 1991 Act banned four types of dogs, the Pit Bull Terrier and the Japanese, Argentinian and Brazilian Mastiffs. When such a dog is found, they can then be destroyed.

The National Police Chiefs Council’s lead for dangerous dogs, Gareth Pritchard, told BBC Radio Wales’s Good Morning Wales there had been more than 30 dog related deaths in England and Wales since 2005.

Mr Pritchard, the Deputy Chief Constable for North Wales Police, said there was a ‘public safety issue’ with dangerous dogs but forces wanted to ‘speed up the process’ of dealing with cases.

“We in policing spend over £3m a year on kennelling costs and we are desperate to reduce those costs and maintain the appropriate animal welfare standards for the dogs that are in our kennels.”

South Wales Police said it does not hold any data and Gwent Police did not respond to the request for information.

Crime

Teenager accused of burglary and assault after Monkton incident

Published

26 seconds ago

July 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A TEENAGER has appeared in court accused of a burglary and assault following an incident in Monkton, Pembroke.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, July 1.

The defendant faces an allegation of burglary of a dwelling with attempted grievous bodily harm, contrary to the Theft Act 1968.

The charge states that on June 23, at Monkton, the defendant is alleged to have entered a dwelling as a trespasser and attempted to inflict grievous bodily harm on a person inside.

The teenager is also charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, relating to the same date and area.

No pleas were recorded on the court list.

The case was adjourned to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for further case management on August 4. A trial has also been listed for August 10.

The defendant was remanded on conditional bail.

Bail conditions include a daily curfew between 8:00pm and 6:00am, a ban on entering specified areas of Monkton, and a condition not to contact two named people either directly or indirectly.

The youth must also comply with intensive supervision by the Youth Justice Team and attend at least two appointments a week as directed.

The defendant cannot be identified because Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 applies.

Community

Haverfordwest sailor leads crew on final Atlantic crossing of round-the-world yacht race

Published

21 minutes ago

July 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE sailor is leading a team of non-professional crew members on the final ocean crossing of one of the world’s toughest yacht races.

Lou Boorman, from Haverfordwest, is skipper of Team Tongyeong in the Clipper 2025-26 Round the World Yacht Race.

Her team has now departed Washington, DC, and is heading across the North Atlantic to Oban in Scotland, marking the last major ocean crossing of the global race.

The Clipper Race is unusual because it takes people from all walks of life and trains them to become ocean racers. No previous sailing experience is required.

Each of the ten identical Clipper Race yachts is led by a professional skipper and first mate, with up to 22 non-professional crew members on board. The teams race around the clock for up to 30 days at a time, covering a global route of around 40,000 nautical miles.

Lou has been leading Team Tongyeong since the race began in Portsmouth last August. The team has been representing the South Korean city of Tongyeong throughout the competition.

Speaking ahead of the final Atlantic crossing, Lou said: “It doesn’t feel quite real that we’ve nearly sailed around the world and are one hop across the ocean to home waters!

“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. A huge challenge. We’ve had three podiums so far and are hungry for more.”

At the time of the release, Team Tongyeong was leading the current stage of the race.

The route from Washington, DC, to Oban is just over 3,000 nautical miles and will see crews face changing weather systems, strong Atlantic currents and the unpredictable conditions that make ocean racing so demanding.

Lou said the challenge had not only been about sailing, but also about leadership.

She said: “In addition to the sailing and the conditions, the challenging part has been about people management and leadership. I’ve had to be a strong leader. That’s what my team expects and needs from me. So the development in this race is incredible.”

She added: “I think it’s going to leave a big hole in my life, leaving this team and leaving the boat. I’m going to have to fill that gap in my life fairly quickly. I’ll miss it too much!”

After ten months at sea, and with just over three weeks of racing remaining, the arrival in Oban will mark a major milestone as the fleet returns to UK waters.

Oban is due to welcome the Clipper Race fleet from Friday, July 10, with a programme of public events allowing visitors to see the yachts and meet the race crews and professional skippers.

From Oban, the teams will race for the final time in the 2025-26 edition, finishing in Portsmouth on Saturday, July 25, where the overall leaderboard positions will be confirmed.

Applications are already open for the 2027-28 edition of the race, which is due to begin next summer.

Charity

Milford Haven Round Table receives £6,000 boost for carnival and fireworks

Published

27 minutes ago

July 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Town council donation will support two of the town’s biggest community events, with further funding for Santa visit

MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL has presented a £6,000 donation to Milford Haven Round Table to help support this year’s Milford Haven Carnival and Free Fireworks Extravaganza.

The cheque was presented by the Mayor of Milford Haven, Councillor Mark Woodward, at the Lord Nelson Hotel on Thursday, June 25.

The donation was agreed at a meeting of the full council on Monday, June 8, in recognition of the work carried out by Milford Haven Round Table in organising major community events for the town.

A further £500 will also be donated to the Round Table for its annual support with the Visit of Santa to Milford Haven.

Milford Haven Town Council said it was proud to support the Round Table and hoped the strong relationship between the two organisations would continue for many years to come.

The council added: “Thank you all so very much for giving up your time to put these fabulous events together for our beloved town.”