News

Six-Legged spaniel puppy abandoned in Pembroke Dock

Published

3 years ago

October 2, 2023

THE PEMBROKE DOCK community and Greenacres Rescue centre rally behind an 11-week-old spaniel pup, found abandoned and possessing unusual physical features, as inquiries into her abandonment commence.

In an unusual case capturing local attention, a black spaniel puppy, now named Ariel, was left abandoned in Pembroke Dock town centre, presenting not only a vulnerability due to her age but also due to her distinct physical characteristics – two additional rear legs and a possibility of two vulvas.

Ariel was discovered and subsequently brought to Medivet in Pembroke on September 27 by a concerned citizen, whose attempts to provide contact information proved fruitless due to an incorrect phone number. Given the pup’s unique and potentially complex medical needs, Sally Bland, the local authority dog warden, coordinated Ariel’s transfer to Greenacres Rescue, near Haverfordwest, for specialist care.

Mikey Lawlor of Greenacres Rescue recalled, “Sally informed us of the abandoned pup and her notable birth defects, prompting a unanimous decision for a thorough veterinary examination at Fenton Vets in Haverfordwest.”

The ensuing examination, performed by Dr Charlotte Biddle, was shrouded in uncertainties due to Ariel’s unknown history and distinctive physical traits. “Our investigations elucidated that Ariel boasts two additional hind legs and an embryonic second vulva,” Dr Biddle detailed. Anomalies with her pelvic formation, attributed to an extra hip joint, were also noted.

Despite the initial medical ambiguities, Ariel demonstrated a reassuring resilience and normal functionality during a meticulous 48-hour observation period. Furthermore, her apparent comfort around other dogs during her temporary foster care has been a heartening observation.

The aptly named Ariel – a nod to a mermaid-like semblance noted by a commenter – is scheduled for a reassessment in a month’s time, post-recovery from her initial ordeal. The prospect of multiple surgeries, including potential limb removal and further exploration of her pelvic region, looms in her future.

Meanwhile, a social media appeal has been instigated, aimed at uncovering both Ariel’s origins and identifying the individual who initially provided her to the vet, in a bid to clarify the circumstances surrounding her abandonment.

Ariel will continue to be sheltered in foster care until her subsequent assessment, placing additional financial demands on Greenacres Rescue. Mikey Lawlor expressed, “With our monthly bills for regular animal treatments already averaging around £20,000, instances like these undoubtedly impose a significant strain on our resources.”

Established in 2008, Greenacres Rescue, the only all-animal rescue centre in Pembrokeshire, remains dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of animals ranging from hamsters to horses. Donations towards Ariel’s veterinary costs or Greenacres’ operational expenses are encouraged and can be sent via their website or directly to Greenacres Rescue, Talbenny, Haverfordwest, SA62 3XA.

Crime

Uxbridge motorist banned after Pembrokeshire drug-drive stop

Published

1 hour ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Driver was heading home after visiting former girlfriend when police stopped him on the A477

A WEST London motorist has been banned after being caught driving on the A477 in Broadmoor with a cocaine metabolite and cannabis in his system.

Danny Small, 32, was stopped by police carrying out routine checks at around 11:30am on January 28.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Small was taken to a police station, where blood tests showed he had 157mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 2.9mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Small, of Little London Close, Uxbridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to two drug-driving offences.

Probation officer Julie Norman told the bench that Small had been visiting his former girlfriend in Pembrokeshire and was driving home to Uxbridge at the time of the offence.

Ms Norman said Small was a regular cannabis and cocaine user.

“This helps treat his undiagnosed ADHD,” she said.

“He didn’t think the drugs would still have been in his system, as he’d consumed the drugs several days earlier. But drugs can often remain in the system for several weeks.”

Small was sentenced to a 12-month community order, during which he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months.

News

Uxbridge motorist banned after Pembrokeshire drug-drive stop

Published

1 hour ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Driver was heading home after visiting former girlfriend when police stopped him on the A477

A WEST London motorist has been banned after being caught driving on the A477 in Broadmoor with a cocaine metabolite and cannabis in his system.

Danny Small, 32, was stopped by police carrying out routine checks at around 11:30am on January 28.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Small was taken to a police station, where blood tests showed he had 157mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 2.9mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Small, of Little London Close, Uxbridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to two drug-driving offences.

Probation officer Julie Norman told the bench that Small had been visiting his former girlfriend in Pembrokeshire and was driving home to Uxbridge at the time of the offence.

Ms Norman said Small was a regular cannabis and cocaine user.

“This helps treat his undiagnosed ADHD,” she said.

“He didn’t think the drugs would still have been in his system, as he’d consumed the drugs several days earlier. But drugs can often remain in the system for several weeks.”

Small was sentenced to a 12-month community order, during which he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months.

Crime

Carpenter banned after drug-driving in camper van

Published

1 hour ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Pembroke Dock man was five times over the cannabis limit

A PEMBROKESHIRE carpenter has been banned from driving after being caught behind the wheel of his camper van while five times over the drug-drive limit.

James Toulouse, 35, was stopped by police shortly before midnight on December 20, 2025, as he drove his white Mercedes Vito along Buttermilk Lane in Pembroke.

“There was a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle and the driver, who was James Toulouse, appeared glazed, as his eyes were red and bleary,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

A roadside drug swipe proved positive. Further tests showed Toulouse had 11mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

The court heard this was Toulouse’s second drug-driving offence in ten years.

Toulouse, of Clarence Street, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to drug-driving.

He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher, who said the defendant works as a carpenter.

“Obviously it’s not going to be easy for him to carry on with his work, but he’s fully intending to do so,” he said.

Toulouse was disqualified from driving for 36 months. He was fined £350 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £140 surcharge.