A Pembrokeshire woman has until next week to prove to a court that her illegal fighting dog should not be destroyed.

Megan Poupard of Sunningdale Drive, Hubberston, near Milford Haven, admitted possessing an of a fighting dog, contrary to the Dangerous Dogs Act, when she appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court last month.

The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to an XL Bully that had been examined by Dyfed-Powys Police.

New restrictions introduced late last year made it illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray. The legislation also requires all XL Bully dogs to be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public.

Owners were also required to register their XL Bully dogs before February 1 this year.

The decision to ban XL Bully dogs was made following a rise in attacks. Between 2021 and 2023, 23 people lost their lives after vicious dog attacks. The government said that many of these deaths involved XL Bullies.

Poupard was remanded on unconditional bail until the sentencing hearing at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court next week.

Sentencing was adjourned at the request of Poupard’s defence solicitor so that a dog behaviourist report to oppose a destruction order for the XL Bully could be obtained.