Kids Eat Dog Biscuits From Floor: Pupils Speak Out After School Abuse Payouts

Harsh Treatment at Welsh School Unit Sparks Emotional Trauma

Kids were made to eat dog biscuits off the floor — a shocking practice that has left deep emotional scars on former students. At the Canolfan Brynffynnon educational referral unit in Y Felinheli, Wales, children endured harsh discipline, including being forced to consume biscuits directly from the ground. While staff claimed the method was routine and even playful, two former employees denied the allegations. Cyngor Gwynedd has acknowledged the abuse and issued an apology, as 21 pupils seek compensation for the trauma they endured. Solicitor Katherine Yates is leading the legal efforts, with two individuals securing £10,000 settlements from the local authority.

Stories of Humiliation and Punishment

Rhiannon Evans, now 27, recounted the unit’s disciplinary tactics with chilling clarity. “Every day there was something going on, from kids dragged down a corridor to kids being made to eat dog biscuits from the floor,” she explained. At age 10, Rhiannon was told to swallow a Bourbon chocolate biscuit from the ground, an act that symbolized the humiliation she faced. The memory of the specific treat remained vivid, as the experience of being treated like an animal became a defining trauma. “I smelt all afternoon and I went home and my grandmother put me straight in a bath,” she added, highlighting the psychological toll of the incident.

“Every day there was something going on, from kids dragged down a corridor to kids being made to eat dog biscuits from the floor,” said Rhiannon.

Levi Lewis, 21, shared his own harrowing account of the unit’s environment. “It seemed like a normal school I suppose,” he said. “Then things started happening. The earliest thing I remember is being made to eat dog biscuits, and from there it just got worse.” At four years old, Levi was sent to the unit in 2009 due to “disruptive behavior” linked to ADHD, which he wasn’t diagnosed with until later. His experiences included being dragged by his hair and locked in a dark toilet for hours, with punishments escalating to stacking tyres over his head and kicking footballs at his face.

“The earliest thing I remember is being made to eat dog biscuits, and from there it just got worse,” said Levi.

Levi described the footballs as particularly cruel, noting they were “rock-hard” and caused him to develop a lasting fear of the sport. “I still have issues with my nose bleeding, just randomly,” he added, illustrating the physical and emotional consequences of the abuse. The school closed in 2014 after allegations of mistreatment, six years after Rhiannon’s admission due to “behavioral issues” at her primary school. She believed her foster status and upbringing differences made her a target for bullying.

Council Admits Mistreatment, Calls for Inquiry

Cyngor Gwynedd has admitted that abuse occurred at the unit, though the severity of the incidents remains debated. The local authority has apologized to victims, while two staff members allegedly involved in the abuse strongly denied the claims. Katherine Yates, the solicitor representing the pupils, is pushing for a public inquiry into the council’s handling of the school. She linked the legal actions to the recent conviction of paedophile headmaster Neil Foden, calling the case “a timely reminder of systemic neglect.”

Long-Term Impact on Victims’ Lives

Rhiannon’s journey has continued to be shaped by her childhood trauma. Last year, she pleaded guilty to harassing her boyfriend’s ex-partner, resulting in a two-year restraining order. “I made a mistake which I now regret,” she said. “My bitter childhood means I didn’t always make the best decisions as an adult, and I see that now.” This incident reflects how the abuse from the unit may have influenced her behavior. Levi, meanwhile, has struggled with the lasting effects of the treatment, including a fear of football and frequent nosebleeds, which he attributes to the stress of his early experiences.