Since 1998 for one day a year Parliament goes doggy mad for - arguably the most sought after title in politics - the Westminster Dog of the Year competition.
The competition celebrates the unique bond between man and dog and aims to promote responsible pet ownership. The competition is open to all parliamentarians' dogs, regardless of breed, creed or pawlitical persuasion.
The event is run by the Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club to promote the important issues currently being faced by man’s best friend. This year’s focus was on protecting access for dog walkers to open spaces across the country.
On Thursday Andrea Jenkyns MP for Morley and Outwood and her dogs, Lady and Godiva, were crowned this year’s winners. Andrea said:
“I was over the moon that Lady and Godiva won this year’s competition. The Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club are doing excellent work protecting and promoting the health and welfare of the UK’s dogs.
“As a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Animal Welfare, animal lover and vegetarian, animal welfare issues are incredibly important to me and I know they are important to the people of Morley and Outwood. Next year I will be working on projects to bring a pet show to the constituency.”
Adrian Burder, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, said:
"The Westminster Dog of the Year competition is so much more than a canine beauty pageant. The competition is strictly apolitical; judges will be looking for the dogs' good deeds and devotion to their owner - rather than policies, opinions or 'bottle'."
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, continued;
"The serious side of this competition is about MPs getting together with the Kennel Club and Dogs Trust to promote responsible dog ownership and develop a partnership on dog welfare issues. The competition itself is light-hearted and an entertaining day out - not least because of the unusual criteria on which the dogs are judged!"
To find out more visit www.dogstrust.org.uk or www.thekennelclub.org.uk.