Louise was the daughter of the late Belfast blues musician Rab McCullough and inspired his song Louisiana Woman

A Belfast woman who died in the US has been remembered as “a bright light” whose generosity, loyalty and spirit “left a lasting mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her”.

The family of Louise McCullough, daughter of the late Belfast blues musician Rab McCullough, have spoken of their heartbreak following her sudden passing in New York last week at the age of 48.

Louise, who lived in America for nearly two decades, died suddenly while out shopping in New York last week.

READ MORE: ‘Forever our Fairy Godmother’: Fermanagh murder victim remembered as shining lightREAD MORE: ‘A tragedy beyond words’ – Tributes to Co Armagh schoolboy after death following illness

Born and raised in Belfast, she was the daughter of Rab and Marion McCullough and grew up surrounded by music, alongside her older brother James and younger brother Robert, within a close-knit extended family in West Belfast.

In a tribute to Louise, her family described how she moved to New York around 18 years ago, building a life and a wide circle of friends. For several years she lived in Charleston with her brother James before returning to New York six months ago, settling in Westchester.

She worked in the beauty industry as a highly accomplished aesthetician and worked with major brands including Estée Lauder, where she regularly ranked among the top sales performers thanks to her “intuitive way” with people.

Her family described her as a “chip off the old block” as she shared a close bond with her father and proudly stood by his side when his music enjoyed a revival in the United States during the 1990s.

Rab’s best-known song, Louisiana Woman, was inspired by Louise and reflected the close relationship between father and daughter. He affectionately referred to her as his “voodoo child”.

The tribute continued: “She had a natural gift for making people feel seen and valued. Kind and instinctively empathetic, she seemed to know when someone needed encouragement or support. A natural people person and a good judge of character, Louise had a rare ability to sense when someone was struggling.

“In the days since her passing, the family say they have been overwhelmed by messages from both sides of the Atlantic from people sharing memories of Louise and the many quiet acts of kindness she carried out throughout her life.”

Her brother James said the family have been deeply moved by the stories now being shared about the impact she had on people’s lives.

He said: “She was the type of person who would help anyone. We’ve always known that but now we’re hearing so many stories about the ways she lifted people up when they were struggling.”

Friends added that when Louise noticed someone feeling low, she would often take them by the hand and lead them onto the dancefloor. She once gave her mountain bike to a homeless man because “she felt he needed it more than she did”.

The tribute continued: “The deep empathy Louise showed to others was something that ran through generations of the family.

“Her grandmother Minnie was another strong influence in her early life and is remembered for her ability to make people feel special and valued.”

Louise’s death has brought echoes of the response that followed Rab McCullough’s passing in 2021, when countless people came forward to say how much his music and wisdom had meant to them.

Her friend Blánaid said: “Louise loved her designer clothes, but she was more at home with the downtrodden and those battered by life.

“She had more interest in the beggar on the subway than the dude in a Ferrari on Fifth Avenue. Louise had a deep sense of social justice and immense empathy for people suffering anywhere in the world. Her generosity of spirit had no bounds.”

Despite the distance, Belfast always remained home. She was proud of her ‘Andytown’, Belfast, and her Irish roots.

Louise is survived by her mother Marion, her brothers James and Robert, sister-in-law Cathy, nieces, aunts, uncles and the wider Walsh and McCullough families.

The family said that in recent weeks Louise had been making plans to return home permanently to be closer to her mum and family.

They were all excited to be reunited and to spend quality time together. Family members say Louise had been on the phone to her mum every day, and texting friends full of excitement about the next chapter of her life and looking forward to reconnecting with loved ones in Belfast, particularly her mother, her brother Robert and her nieces and nephews.

Her family say their greatest comfort and ‘only solace’ at this difficult time is the thought that she is now be reunited with her father and grandmother.

Arrangements are in motion to bring Louise home to Belfast later this week. She will be laid to rest beside her father in Milltown Cemetery. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course by O’Kane’s Funeral Directors on Donegall Street.

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It was more Wimbledon than the tiki-taka football conceived in Unai Emery’s homeland of Spain. But the Villa manager will not mind, with his team recording a hard-fought and needed win after worrying results in their previous four games.

Watkins’s goal was Villa’s first shot on target, which points to their problems not being totally solved with one victory in the hostility of Stade Pierre-Mauroy. They need to improve on their composure in the final third of the pitch or risk getting overtaken in the race for the Champions League places over the next two months.

Yet a win is a win, with another cause for optimism being John McGinn’s return from injury to make an appearance off the bench. Watkins also desperately needed his goal, having gone this season without scoring in the Europa League, nor in any game since January.

This was a reminder to Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, that he is the best option as Harry Kane’s back-up at the World Cup despite others staking a claim for that place, not least his Villa team-mate Tammy Abraham.

Perhaps a bigger test will be against Manchester United at the weekend, when Villa can climb back to third with a win. United will be a different proposition to Lille, who fielded their oldest team in a European game with an average age of 29.

It was also a sweet evening for Emiliano Martínez, who was mercilessly jeered by Lille fans who did not forget his gamesmanship during a Europa Conference League tie two years ago. He received a second yellow card in the penalty shoot-out of that match, but not a red card due to rules. His antics in the World Cup final against Les Bleus means he will always be “Public Enemy No 1”, as one French publication branded him.

Martínez produced his best to deny Soriba Diaoune, while also keeping an effort from Matias Fernandez-Pardo out.

Watkins’ goal came just after the hour mark when Konsa launched the ball forward from his own half, with Emi Buendía flicking on for Watkins to head over Berke Özer. It meant a 100th win for Emery as Villa manager, the fastest of a Villa manager to reach that milestone.

More to follow…

The owner of an award-winning fish and chip shop has warned chippies will close if customers don’t start to eat alternatives to cod.

Andrew Arnold, who runs Railway Street Fisheries in Pocklington, near York, claims cod has become too expensive and cheaper fish such as pollock could keep chippies in business.

He explained the price of cod and haddock has risen sharply, with a 45lb (20kg) box of cod costing £110 in December 2024 now priced at £330 – a 200 per cent increase.

Haddock and chips is now sold in his shop for £12.50 up from £8.50 in December 2024.

Mr Arnold believes “people’s mindset is going to have to change” and suggests customers order cheaper varieties, such as Norwegian pollock, which he insists tastes just as good.

“The traditional fish and chip shop is going to go, if we don’t diversify and do different things,” he told the BBC.

“I can sell pollock at £10.50 and still make a reasonable profit on it.”

According to ONS figures, the average price of a takeaway fish and chips in 2026 is £11.02 – a 10 per cent increase on last year when the average was £10.06.

To keep up with inflation, a growing number of chippies have started frying alternative species such as pollock, hake from South Africa and hoki from New Zealand, according to Andrew Crook, the president of the National Federation of Fish Friers.

But fish merchant Nathan Godley, from Grimsby, who supplies food to fish and chip shops, doesn’t think selling alternative fish will help and believes British people just love cod and haddock.

“In the long term, you’ve just got to pay the price, I think,” he told the broadcaster.

He said there aren’t enough fish being caught and sent to chip shops, which is why the price has soared.

In September 2025, scientists warned fishermen will need to catch less cod in British waters in order to protect the species.

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), a Denmark-based independent body which advises the government on managing fish stocks, found the cod population in almost all of Britain’s waters was so depleted that none should be caught next year for the species to recover.

Russian despot Vladimir Putin has had a longstanding cooperation with Iran’s top leaders, including supplying them with weapons and purchasing weaponry from the Middle East country

Vladimir Putin’s “hidden hand” is likely helping Iran in its war against the US and Israel, the UK defence secretary has said.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey said Iranian forces that targeted a base in Iraq where some British troops were “have hallmarks” of how Russian have carried out operations against Ukraine. He said this could be seen in how Iran used its drones.

Tehran sold “Shahed” attack drones to Russia in the opening months of Moscow’s war full-scale war in Ukraine. Moscow, which has been a long-time ally of Tehran, developed their own version of the drone and have reportedly assisted Iran as it faces relentless bombardment from the US and Israel.

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Healey told reporters during a visit to the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters: “No one will be surprised to believe that Putin’s hidden hand is behind some of the Iranian tactics, potentially some of their capabilities as well.” The defence secretary said it was likely the link between Russia and Iran “not least because the one world leader benefitting from the sky high oil prices at the moment is Putin.”

Oil prices have spiked across the world after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping lanes. US President Donald Trump has not been able to resolve the issue, despite having a large naval presence off the coast of Iran.

Healey added Putin “is clearly likely to welcome this war more than anyone else,” reports Sky News. Lieutenant General Nick Perry, the chief of joint operations who oversees UK military operations across the globe, said there was “definitely” a link between Russia and Iran.

He told Healey: “We have definitely seen the Iranian tactics of the use of their drones learnt from Russians – flying them much lower so they are more effective.” The Lieutenant added: “There is no doubt [the Iranian] tactics have changed.”

Drones were said to be causing the most damage across the Middle East on the Iranian side. It also includes an Iranian-linked drone that struck a Royal Air Force base in Cyprus.

The RAF Akrotiri base was hit by a one-way attack drone at 12.03am local time on March 2, in incident Secretary Healey described as an example of the “dangerous and indiscriminate attacks” carried out by Iran and its proxies. The drone was identified as a Shahed drone, which cannot carry a large warhead and while it is capable of killing an individual, it would be unlikely to cause damage to large buildings.

Healey said parts of the device are now being investigated to see if they include Russian parts. He added: “We will update you on the findings from that.” He confirmed that while there had been reports of US casualties. there had been none that were said to be British.

Plans to build a new reservoir in Cambridgeshire have taken another step forward. Anglian Water is planning to create the Fens Reservoir between Chatteris and Doddington.

The area has been identified as one of “several nationally strategic resource options” required to address the “deficits in future public water supply”. Anglian Water has submitted a planning application to Fenland District Council for part of the reservoir works.

The plans seek permission for the continued use of 29 monitoring boreholes in land north of Chatteris of the A142 and east of the A141 Isle of Ely Way in Chatteris. A borehole is a shaft to access underground sources such as water.

The “long-term” monitoring of the boreholes is important to the overall reservoir project. The applicant said the boreholes will help “understand the groundwater conditions in proximity to the location of the future Fens Reservoir”.

The plans said the boreholes will help to understand how the conditions respond longer term, while allowing for seasonal variation and external factors such as extreme weather events. It will also provide information on the effect proposed engineering works may have on the environment.

Anglian Water seeks to retain the boreholes for four years. It added: “Once the boreholes have provided sufficient information they shall be decommissioned and the ground at surface level reinstated to the satisfaction of the landowners.”

The Fens Reservoir is one of two proposed as nationally significant, with other plans to create a reservoir in Sleaford. Anglian Water has partnered with Cambridge Water for the Fens Reservoir.

It is hoped the reservoirs will improve water resources for more than three quarters of a million homes in some of England’s most water-stressed areas. The Fens Reservoir is set to supply 87 million litres a day to 250,000 homes and is hoped to be completed by 2036.

A Ryanair flight from Lisbon was forced to divert to Newcastle after being unable to land at Manchester Airport due to strong winds and severe weather conditions

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A Ryanair flight was forced to divert from a UK airport after a failed attempt at landing.

The Ryanair service heading to Manchester was forced to reroute to Newcastle, after seemingly struggling to touch down amid fierce winds. The aircraft, travelling from Lisbon, appeared to make multiple landing attempts before altering its trajectory.

Information from flight monitoring platform Flightradar24 reveals the plane looping above Manchester Airport and subsequently over Lancashire before turning northwards towards Newcastle, where it seemingly landed successfully on its initial approach. In a post on X, Flightradar24 confirmed the flight was ‘diverting away after multiple approaches’, noting the pilot’s meteorological report ‘indicates showers and gusty winds’.

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Large swathes of Britain have been subject to a 15-hour weather alert for powerful winds and torrential downpours today, with gusts reaching up to 70mph predicted.

Earlier today, an easyJet service bound for Edinburgh Airport was redirected to Manchester Airport following a mid-air emergency declaration prompted by turbulent weather conditions and strong winds. EasyJet confirmed that winds at Edinburgh were ‘outside the limits of the aircraft’, adding that coach transport back to Edinburgh has been arranged for passengers, reports the Manchester Evening News.

This occurred against the backdrop of a yellow wind weather warning blanketing much of Scotland today, remaining active until 8pm this evening. Weather experts predict gusts of 50-55mph across Scotland and England, whilst certain coastal stretches and areas in the lee of elevated terrain could experience gusts reaching 60mph or potentially 70mph in isolated spots.

An easyJet spokesperson commented: “Flight EJU7835 from Amsterdam to Edinburgh this morning was required to divert to Manchester due to winds gusting outside the limits of the aircraft and so we have arranged onward coach transfers to Edinburgh for customers. The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is our highest priority and whilst this was outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused by the weather.”

“Never give up, that’s the moral of the story,” Sean O’Driscoll, owner-breeder, said. “He’s won 12 races [more than any other horse O’Brien has trained] and been placed five times. My son John has never seen him win. He told me a couple of weeks ago he couldn’t come but a couple of days ago he said he could make it! I said ‘no, you’d better stay away!’ So, John, this is for you.”

He added: “He lost his way chasing. Joseph rang me one day and said, ‘I think maybe you should send him to another yard, they can freshen him up’. I said, ‘Are you politely telling me that I should take him away from the yard?’ To which he replied, ‘No, I’m not’. So I said, ‘Well, he’s not going anywhere’. Joseph is an amazing trainer.”

Keep trying might also be something of a motto for Jonbon, Nicky Henderson’s chaser who has never been out of the first two in 28 starts, one of the most remarkable records in the game. He kept that record intact in the Ryanair Chase and probably set one for finishing second for a fourth time at the meeting but, like Home By The Lee, he will also need to go a fifth time if he is to win one.

Ultimately, yesterday, he had no answers for Henry de Bromhead’s Heart Wood, runner-up to Fact To File in the race last year but, with the ante-post favourite taken out because of the ground, a good 10-length winner this time.

Evidence is growing that outdated US intelligence was “likely” to blame for the attack on a school in southern Iran which killed more than 170 people, most of them children.

The US and Israel say they are attacking military sites, trying to destroy Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons and its conventional weapons facilities.

But in the early hours of the near two-week conflict, an elementary school was hit, and outdated US intelligence was “likely” to blame, Sky’s US partner, NBC News has said.

It was part of the attacks that also killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

This is what we know so far.

Iran war latest – New leader’s first statement

What happened?

On 28 February, the first day of fighting, the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in the town of Minab, southern Iran, was hit by a missile strike.

More than 170 people were killed, most of them children, according to NBC. Other reports put the number of dead at more than 165.

It was a Saturday morning, the start of the Iranian school week, when the building was full of young children.

The US was “likely” responsible, NBC said, quoting an American official and three sources familiar with the findings of a preliminary US military investigation into the incident.

Why was the school hit?

The munition did not go off target, but rather hit the school because old intelligence showed it to be an Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) base, the four sources said.

The school is next to an IRGC site.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) based its targeting on data provided by the US Defence Intelligence Agency, with Israel involved in selecting the targets.

It is not clear where a breakdown occurred that may have caused the likely US attack on the school, the American official said.

Was it avoidable?

The school, as well as other targets struck the same day, had characteristics visible from the air that could have identified them as civilian sites before they were struck, according to satellite analysis by the Associated Press.

The suspicion that the US was responsible grew on Monday, as new footage came to light showing what experts identified as a US-made Tomahawk cruise missile hitting the military compound as smoke was already rising from the area where the school was located.

Missile fragments which Iranian state media said hit the school bear the markings of such a weapon, NBC said, quoting experts who reviewed the pictures.

The US is the only country currently involved in the conflict that uses Tomahawk missiles.

Publicly available satellite imagery shows the school building was part of the military compound until about 2017, when a new wall was added to separate the two.

A watchtower on the property was also removed. Around the same time, the imagery shows the walls surrounding the building were painted with murals in vibrant colours, primarily blue and pink, so bright they’re visible from space.

The school was clearly labelled as such in online maps and has an easily-accessible website full of information about students, teachers and administrators.

International law governing warfare bans strikes on non-military targets.

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Did Trump just admit the US bombed a school in Iran?

What has the US said?

US President Donald Trump initially blamed Iran or “other countries” for the attack, then later said he wasn’t certain who was behind it.

Pressed on what he would do if investigators found the US was responsible, he said: “Whatever the report shows, I’m willing to live with that report”.

Read more:
Iran’s new leader injured but ‘fine’
Iranian footballer changes her mind on asylum

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran is “the only side that targets civilians”.

Members of the US Congress have demanded answers, including Republican Senator Kevin Cramer, who said, if the US was behind it, the military must “do everything you can to eliminate those mistakes going forward”.

Some pointed to the gutting of the Pentagon’s Civilian Protection Centre of Excellence under Mr Hegseth and the failure to update its no-strike list.

What has Iran said?

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Aragchi called the deadly attack a crime against the Iranian people which would not go “unanswered”.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, called the incident a “blatant crime”.

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We can’t get enough of Smeg’s retro appliances, from its pastel kettles and toasters to super-chic coffee machines and stand mixers. 

Its 50s-style aesthetic has made it a coveted staple for the kitchen; however, we can all agree that it doesn’t come cheap. 

Luckily for us all, Smeg has discounted some of its most popular products in its online sale, with huge savings of up to 50% off colourful kitchen gadgets. 

So if you’ve been eyeing up something from Smeg for a while but couldn’t quite bring yourself to add to your basket, this sale couldn’t come at a better time. 

These deals are few and far between, so while they’re still fresh, make sure you don’t miss out. 

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Metro’s shopping experts have handpicked the biggest and best deals in the Smeg sale so you can be first in line to bag a bargain. 

Whether you’re on the hunt for a new accessory attachment for a larger appliance, or want to upgrade your blender to cook up smoothies, soups and sauces, we’ve got you covered. 

So don’t hang about and start your shopping now. 

The best deals to shop in Smeg’s sale:

Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

Your morning coffee has never looked so good with this bean-to-cup machine.

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It has a built-in coffee grinder for the freshest flavour possible, eight drink options, spanning espressos, flat white and latte macchiatos, along with a stainless-steel steam wand for coffee shop-style milky drinks.

While we love this storm blue colour, it’s also on sale in white and black.

Buy Now for £499.95 (was £699.95)

Personal Blender

Whether you’re on a health kick or simply want to up your cooking game, this compact blender can blitz it all.

We’ve got our eye on it for fruit smoothies and savoury sauces, all you need to do is fill it with your ingredients, twist on the blade cap and pressa single button to blend.

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While it’s an ultra-chic kitchen counter appliance, the 600ml bottles (this kit comes with two) have lightweight lids that allow you to bring blended drinks with you on the go.

Better yet, they’re durable and dishwasher safe. We’re obsessed with this mint green shade.

Buy Now for £89.95 (was £109.95)

Whistling Kettle

If you love retro design but the convenience of a modern kettle, look no further.

This would look so cute on your stovetop.

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It’s compatible with induction, gas, ceramic and electric hobs, has a generous 2.3-litre capacity, and a spout cap that minimises spillage.

It’s perfect for hosting, impressing guests or upgrading your daily brews.

Buy Now for £95.96 (was £119.95)

Jug Blender

There’s £50 on this stylish blender, which has a robust aluminium body, a chrome base, and a retro silhouette.

There’s a shade to suit every kitchen, but our top pick is this rich red.

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It’s designed with four speed settings and preset programmes for whipping up smoothies and crushing ice, along with a clever auto-clean function and dishwasher-safe parts.

Buy Now for £149.95 (£199.95)

Stand Mixer Bowl

If you already own a Smeg SMF03 stand mixer, this is a genuinely useful addition to pick up while it’s half price.

An extra bowl means you can move seamlessly between tasks without stopping to wash up mid-baking.

The bowl is a 4.8-litre, dishwasher-safe, polished stainless steel bowl that can be used with or without a mixer.

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Plus, it looks great.

Buy Now for £29.98 (was £59.95)

Stand Mixer Wire Whisk

If this is the only stand mixer attachment you’re missing, it’s worth snapping up while it’s half price.

It’s also ideal if you’ve lost or broken your existing one.

You can use it to make a variety of sweet treats, such as meringues, whipped cream, mousse or sponge batter, without the elbow grease involved when doing it by hand.

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It’s easy to clean too, hot soapy water and a sponge will keep it in tip-top condition.

Buy Now for £12.48 (was £24.95)

Make the most of these mega discounts whilst you can!

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Animal Licencing Wales attended the rescue facility alongside officers from Dyfed-Powys Police

An investigation has been launched into an animal rescue centre in Wales after concerns were raised by pet owners around treatment of dogs kept at the facility.

Inspectors from Animal Licensing Wales (ALW), accompanied by police officers from Dyfed-Powys Police, attended Many Tears rescue centre in Cefneithin in Carmarthenshire on Tuesday, March 10 following allegations of malpractice.

A spokesperson for ALW confirmed an investigation is ongoing. A spokesperson for Many Tears said they treat their animals “exceptionally” and said they were “working closely” with the authorities.

It’s understood no animals have been removed from the premises while it is continuing to operate currently. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter

An investigation led by ALW has been launched following complaints made by a number of people who have rescued animals from Many Tears, as well as from a former employee.

Some of the allegations relate to puppies reportedly being brought to Fishguard from Irish puppy farms to be rehoused and then sold by the rescue.

WalesOnline understands some of the allegations centre around vaccinations not being refrigerated, puppies not being separated while travelling from Fishguard to the rescue in Cefneithin, and that vaccination cards are being mass produced.

Allegations also include claims that some dogs were rehomed with undisclosed health conditions, with questions over the accuracy of medical records and pre-adoption checks, and concerns about how animals were matched with new homes.

A spokesperson for Many Tears said: “On Tuesday, March 10, representatives of Animal Licensing Wales visited the rescue to retrieve paperwork and records.

“No animals were removed from the premises during the visit and no concerns were raised about the condition or care of the animals on site.

“We are proud of the exceptional care our kennel staff provide, and our facilities ensure that our animals have enrichment and rehabilitation activities so that they thrive in our care.

“We are working closely with the authorities to ensure they have everything they need to complete the investigation process.”

Responding to the allegations surrounding the transport of animals to their facility, a spokesperson said: “Many Tears rescues and rehomes from several large breeding establishments, some of which are in Ireland, to offer ex-breeding dogs the chance to have a loving forever home.

“We also take some unsold puppies who have reached an age where they are no longer desirable to the public. We are entirely open about this activity and this information is available in the FAQ part of our website.

“Our vans are fully inspected and licensed for the transport of dogs and puppies. The puppies are transported in a separate part of the transport van to the adult dogs.“We take our responsibilities as an established and reputable animal rescue charity extremely seriously and strive to uphold the highest standards across everything we do.

“Therefore, we take these allegations regarding vaccination cards and the storage of vaccines extremely seriously and are currently investigating these claims.”

Animal Licensing Wales, which was established by the Welsh Government in 2020 to regulate animal activities, tackle illegal breeding and prosecute offenders, said it was unable to comment further because of the ongoing investigation.