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Two more Welsh local authorities have followed Caerphilly County Borough Council in banning the giving out of pets as prizes on council land.

Both Swansea Council and Carmarthenshire Council have introduced bans – taking the number of Welsh councils to have introduced a ban to 14 out of 22.

The practice was banned in Caerphilly in 2019. Earlier this year, Welsh Government officials held talks with RSPCA Cymru to discuss a Wales-wide ban.

Sioned Nikolic, RSPCA Cymru’s public affairs officer, said: “It is fantastic news to have Swansea and Carmarthenshire added to our list to make it 14 local authorities in total who have taken action.

“We’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to fill out our campaign action and to the councillors too for their part in getting this over the line in their areas. 

“The list is growing and we really do hope that soon we can say all 22 local authorities have banned this outdated practice. 

“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 outrightly by the Welsh Government.”

Since 2020, the RSPCA has received 42 reports of pets being given away as prizes, but the charity fears many cases go unreported.

The organisation has said it will continue to make the case for a ban to both the Welsh Government and the UK Government, and will call for ‘much-needed’ legislation.