Kids Made to Eat Dog Biscuits: School Abuse Payouts Spark Pupil Accounts
Kids were made to eat dog biscuits – Children were made to eat dog biscuits as part of daily abuse at an educational referral unit in Wales, according to former students who have now come forward. The incidents, which included forcing pupils to consume biscuits from the floor, have sparked renewed attention on the treatment of children in such facilities. These actions, often described as part of staff entertainment, extended beyond the biscuit ritual to include physical punishments like being hit with footballs and drenched with blackcurrant juice. The trauma of these experiences has lingered for years, shaping the emotional development of those affected.
Abuse at Canolfan Brynffynnon
Local authorities confirmed that the abuse occurred at Canolfan Brynffynnon in Y Felinheli, a unit that closed in 2014 after complaints about mistreatment. The facility was part of a broader system designed to address behavioral issues in children, but some claim it became a place of harsh discipline. Two former staff members have denied the allegations, while a solicitor, Katherine Yates, represents 21 individuals, including Rhiannon Evans and Levi Lewis, seeking compensation for their suffering. The case has drawn criticism over the adequacy of past responses to child abuse in Wales.
Rhiannon Evans, now 27, described her time at the unit as a childhood of humiliation. She recalled being dragged down corridors and made to eat dog biscuits from the floor, an act that left her with a lasting fear of footballs. The ritual was not just a punishment but a form of playful torment, according to her account. “I was sticky all afternoon, and the smell of blackcurrant juice lingered for days,” she said. This treatment, she believes, was rooted in her status as a foster child living with her grandparents, making her an easy target for bullying.
Levi Lewis: A Traumatic Childhood
Levi Lewis, 21, described his early memories as ones of fear. He noted that the experience of being made to eat dog biscuits was the first sign of the unit’s harsh environment. “It seemed like a normal school at first, but then things started happening,” he explained. The biscuits, now a trigger for painful memories, were part of a larger pattern of abuse that escalated over time. His ADHD diagnosis came later, after he left the facility in 2014, but the physical and emotional toll began long before.
Levi was four when he entered the unit in 2009, labeled “disruptive and loud” by staff. He described being dragged by his hair and locked in a dark toilet for extended periods, a common punishment. As the abuse continued, it evolved to include more severe acts, such as nose flicking until it bled and footballs kicked at his head. “I still have issues with my nose bleeding randomly,” he added, highlighting the long-term effects of the trauma.
Rhiannon and Levi are not alone in their accounts. Other students have shared similar stories, emphasizing the systemic nature of the abuse. While some were allowed to return to their main schools after improving, others faced harsher penalties upon relapse. The emotional scars from these experiences persist, with Rhiannon reflecting on how her bitter childhood has influenced her adult decisions. She recently pleaded guilty to harassing her boyfriend’s ex-partner, stating, “My past has shaped the choices I made as an adult.”
Compensation claims have intensified, with Katherine Yates representing victims in a bid to secure justice. The legal process has shed light on the unit’s history, revealing that abuse was not an isolated incident but a recurring part of daily life. Parents and educators have since called for a deeper investigation into the practices that led to such treatment. As the case gains traction, it raises questions about the balance between discipline and cruelty in educational settings.
The focus on dog biscuits as a symbol of abuse underscores the broader issue of children’s dignity being compromised in institutional care. For Rhiannon and Levi, the ritual of consuming these biscuits was more than a simple act—it was a daily reminder of their subjugation. The psychological impact of such humiliations, combined with physical punishment, has left lasting impressions on their lives. As the compensation process unfolds, it offers a chance for these children to reclaim their narratives and seek closure for the trauma they endured.
