Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 2:55 pm on 17 November 2021.
Thank you, Minister. Between August and October 2021, the RSPCA responded to 5,263 cases across Wales, which is an increase of 10.2 per cent on the same period last year. Of these cases, 463 were in the county of Swansea, in my region—the second highest of local authorities in Wales. And Neath Port Talbot, also in my region, had the fifth highest level in Wales, with 298 cases, which is an increase of 90 cases on the previous year. Does the Minister agree, therefore, that more needs to be done to tackle animal cruelty in South Wales West and, indeed, across Wales? And in light of the publication of new regulations on animal welfare, what additional funding has the Government allocated for local authorities to enable them to implement these regulations effectively? Thank you.