Plaid Cymru organised a roundtable featuring animal welfare charities to discuss how best to improve responsible dog ownership and improve community safety.

The event – which was organised by Members of the Senedd Peredur Owen Griffiths, Luke Fletcher as well as Plaid Cymru council Steve Skivens – featured representatives from RSPCA Cymru, The Blue Cross, Hope Rescue and The Dogs Trust.

Inspector Huw Morrissey of Gwent Police also attended the meeting.

During the two-hour event, there were presentations by Billie-Jade Thomas of RSCPA Cymru outlining the growing problems faced by increased dog ownership following the pandemic. Figures were produced by the RSPCA showing how dog bites have increased significantly in Wales as well as behavioural issues among dogs.

Problems posed by illegal dog breeders, irresponsible dog ownership and the red tape around stray dogs were also discussed as well as potential solutions.

Peredur Owen Griffiths MS said: “Whilst we are subject to Westminster legislation when it comes to dangerous dogs, there are things that we can do here in Wales within the context of our devolution settlement.

“For example, the long handover period of around a year concerning stray dogs in Wales means that most animal welfare charities are reluctant to take in dogs.

“If Wales was brought in line with Scotland where the handover period is more like three weeks, then there would be much more kennel space for stray dogs in Wales. 

“The general consensus is that there has been much talk about how to improve dog welfare and community safety in Wales – the time now is for action.”

Luke Fletcher MS said: “It was great to get so much animal welfare knowledge and experience around a table to thrash out the areas where we are not so doing so well and pinpoint the areas that we can improve in the short term.

“The roundtable event certainly gave me and Peredur much food for thought as we approach the final year towards the next Senedd elections.

“It seems increasingly unlikely that much change will come about in terms of promoting responsible dog ownership and improving animal welfare across the board by the current Labour Government ahead of that election.

“Peredur and I will ensure that the matter is in the minds of Plaid Cymru when we come to set out our stall in the next manifesto.”

Councillor Steve Skivens – who represents the Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn ward – said: “The community I represent has suffered some appalling tragedies in recent years because of people owning dogs dangerously out of control.

“After looking at good practice from around the world, it was good to discuss ways in which we could craft policy that will make it less likely that such tragedies will occur in future.

“It is in all our interests to enhance safety and animal welfare – which is possible with the right political will and the right ambition for our communities.”


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