Author Archives: Chris O'Brien

‘Great news’ for animals as half of Wales’ local authorities have now backed fireworks action

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Half of Wales’ local authorities have now taken action to mitigate the risks fireworks pose to animals – with Pembrokeshire County Council joining the growing list.

On February 15, the Council’s cabinet unanimously backed an RSPCA-backed Notice of Motion, which had previously been referred to the Cabinet by Milford East Councillor Guy Woodham at a full council meeting in December.

The proposals mean Pembrokeshire Council will require all public firework displays in the county to be advertised in advance, allowing … Continue reading…

Tougher sentences for animal abusers are one step closer in Wales

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Tougher sentences for animal abusers in Wales are a step closer to reality as the RSPCA continues to campaign for the change. 

The Welsh Government has laid a legislative consent memorandum (LCM) which would allow provisions in the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill, a Westminster Private Members’ Bill sponsored by Chris Loder MP, to apply to Wales too.

Under the proposals, the maximum sentence for those convicted of certain animal cruelty offences would increase by ten-fold – from six months to … Continue reading…

Badger of honour for duo returned to the wild after Cwmbran canal rescue

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Two badgers who were saved in “dramatic circumstances” from the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal have been returned to the wild after a period of rehabilitation with the RSPCA.

RSPCA Cymru say the release marked “another happy ending”, following a rescue which one officer had labelled her most “bizarre and unusual day” in 15 years on the frontline.

Video footage captures the heart-warming moment the badgers were safely returned to the Cwmbran area.

Officers from the animal welfare charity had partnered … Continue reading…

Winnie the Pooh-inspired cat back home after hair-raising tree climb

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“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

It’s one of the most famous quotes from AA Milne’s beloved Winnie the Pooh stories. But a cat named after one of the book’s most famous characters was probably a little too brave after getting stuck 25-foot from the ground in a Bryncethin tree beside a fast-flowing river.

Roo, a daredevil tortoise-shell cat named after a joey from the Pooh series, terrified her owners after going … Continue reading…

Ph-ewe! Sheep back to safety after Blaenllechau cliff climb

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The RSPCA and the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service have teamed up to come to the aid of a sheep stuck on cliffs at Blaenllechau in the Rhondda Fach valley.

Officers from the animal welfare charity were alerted after the sheep was spotted stranded on the steep cliff edge by concerned onlookers.

RSPCA Cymru enlisted the support of the firefighters from the Ebbw Vale and Barry Green Watch rescue teams, who deployed their rope rescue specialists and abseiled down … Continue reading…