The mystery location of a dangerous dog must be revealed a court has said.

Megan Poupard of Sunningdale Drive, Hubberston, near Milford Haven, admitted possessing 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 owning an XL Bully that had been examined by Dyfed-Powys Police.

A police report recommended that the dog be destroyed but Poupard’s defence team argued for an adjournment so that an expert report could be prepared.

Poupard appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, October 8, for sentencing.

However, the court heard that an expert report could not be prepared as the whereabouts of the dog was not known.

Miss Poupard’s defence solicitor said that she had contacted the police on several occasions to request the location of the dog but no information had been forthcoming.

Nia James, for the prosecution, said that she had also requested information on the location of the dog and had been told that police weren’t able to disclose it because of a 'security issue'.

Magistrates adjourned the hearing for a further four weeks but said that the location of the dog must be made available to the prosecution.

“There must be a way that the information can be provided to the behaviour specialist,” they said.

They also pointed out that the kennelling costs for the dog would be increasing daily as the case was adjourned.

“The court is unhappy at having to grant an adjournment. This information needs to be provided as soon as possible so that the case can proceed,” said the magistrates.

The bench adjourned the case for a further four weeks in order to receive the expert report. Poupard was remanded on unconditional bail.

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.