On Thursday 26th October, Rebecca Pow, Conservative MP for Taunton Deane and a Dogs Trust rescue dog will take to Victoria Tower Gardens in London, to compete with other politicians and their pooches, to win the coveted title of Westminster Dog of the Year 2017.

Rebecca is co-chair of the influential All Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare and regularly speaks up on animal welfare issues in Parliament such as calling for longer prisons sentences for offences of animal cruelty and combatting dog fighting.

Organised jointly by Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club, the competition offers the unique chance for Rebecca Pow MP to show off her companion for the day from a local Dogs Trust rehoming centre.

The theme of this year’s event focuses on training and behaviour and the vital skills which all dogs and their owners need to build strong relationships with each other. As well as this, the competition encourages an open dialogue on important dog welfare issues.

Proud entrant, Rebecca Pow MP explains:

“I am delighted to be entering with a Dogs Trust rescue dog on behalf of Taunton Deane. This is my third year entering with a Dogs Trust dog and is an excellent way of highlighting the work Dogs Trust do and some of the wonderful dogs they care for whilst they await their forever home. I hope we will not only be victorious in the competition, but also that my companion will find a loving new home for life in the process.”

MPs will also be calling for their supporters to vote for their canine companion, in a bid to win the ‘paw-blic’ vote, with additional judging on the day by representatives from Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club, which will review the contestants on their heroic doggy deeds and winning personalities. After all the votes have been cast, one lucky pooch will take home the ultimate parliamentary privilege of the ‘Westminster Dog of the Year 2017’ title.

The Westminster Dog of the Year 2017 competition starts at 10.00am on Thursday 26th October at Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster. The judging panel that will determine which pooch wins the highly desired crown includes last year’s winning dog owner Jonathan Reynolds MP, Stephen Jenkinson of the Kennel Club and Graeme Robertson from Dogs Trust.

Details of MPs and dog entered for this year’s Westminster Dog of the Year can be found at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/westminsterdogoftheyear and to vote for Rebecca’s companion from Dogs Trust please visit https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NCRL3QV