A Tredegar woman has been banned from keeping dogs for five years after admitting a number of animal welfare offences.
In a prosecution brought by Blaenau Gwent Council, Newport Magistrates were told that an investigation by Animal Health Officers discovered 15 caged and penned dogs following the execution of a warrant and that the dogs were housed in a manner that breached the Animal Welfare Act, and all of the dogs were removed to a safe place.
The seized dogs were subject to a previous court hearing in May 2025, where an application made by the Council resulted in the defendant signing over ownership of the animals to the local authority. The animals have subsequently been rehomed.
Bonnie Thomas, aged 28, of Tredegar, ‘failed to provide a suitable diet or seek veterinary treatment’ for one dog who was found to be seriously underweight with no food or water available at the time the warrant was executed. The defendant admitted failing to protect the other dogs from ‘pain, suffering, injury and disease,’ which included failing to provide adequate bedding, food, water, and socialisation.
Thomas was sentenced to a 12-month community order after she pleaded guilty to nine separate offences. This included 96 hours unpaid work, which was reduced from 120 hours for an early guilty plea.
Thomas was also disqualified for keeping or owning dogs for five years due to the conditions of accommodation and cruelty and must wait a minimum of four years before an application can be made for removal of the disqualification.
A contribution to costs was ordered in the sum of £1,000 and a Victim Surcharge of £114 imposed.
