Powys the last place to rubber stamp the ban of pets as prizes at fairs in Wales, the RSPCA has said - adding that change is coming soon.

The RSPCA has said that Powys County Council is now the only council not to have rubber stamped the otherwise Wales-wide ban on giving pets out as prizes at events.

The council has confirmed to the RSPCA that its cabinet “considered a letter from RSPCA Cymru asking that the council consider a ban on the giving of pets as prizes at fairs and events held on council-owned land” and it has been resolved to support the proposal and ask officers to draw up a policy for the cabinet’s consideration.

Previously cabinet member for a safer Powys, Liberal Democrat Cllr Richard Church said: “This is really very straightforward.

“I don’t think that anyone of us would want to see the mistreatment of animals on our land.

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“We all recognise that people when taking responsibility for an animal need to make it a considered decision not something done on an impulse or as a surprise gift or prize.

“The welfare of animals should be important to all of us.

“I think this very simple proposal means we can take on a responsibility as landowners and car park owners to ensure that the welfare of animals is properly protected.”

The ban on the practice is nearly complete across Wales with the RSPCA campaigning to get rid of the practice which they say is cruel “outdated practice”.

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Sioned Nikolic, RSPCA Cymru’s public affairs officer, said: “Only a few months ago we were calling on 10 local authorities to take action and now we have all councils in agreement that this will not be happening on their land.

“We’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to fill out our campaign action, along with the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths MS, for writing to councils in the summer. We’re also grateful to the relevant councillors and council officials for their part in getting this over the line in their areas too.

“We know that this is something people care about - with many assuming it is already banned. Sadly, this practice can still take place on private land despite the council bans, so we would ultimately like to see pets being given away as prizes banned outright by the Welsh Government.”