On Thursday 8th September, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Conservative MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed and her five year old Cocker Spaniel, Trouble will compete with other politicians and their pooches to win the coveted title of ‘Westminster Dog of the Year 2016’.
Dogs of all shapes and sizes will be whipping their MP owners into shape as they head to Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster, London to see who will be crowned top ‘pawlitical’ dog for 2016.
Organised jointly by the Kennel Club and Dogs Trust, the competition offers the unique chance for Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP to show off her loyal four-legged friend, Trouble.
The theme of this year’s event focuses on the need for education to ensure that children understand how to interact safely with dogs. As well as this, the competition encourages an open dialogue on important dog welfare issues.
Proud owner, Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP explains: “Trouble is my biggest supporter and a part of the family. She deserves the centre stage after all of her years of loyalty and service on the political trail. She will always be a winner to me and proves very popular in Northumberland when we are out and about together.”
MPs will also be calling for their supporters to vote for them, in a bid to win the paw-blic vote, with additional judging on the day which will review the contestants on their heroic doggy deeds and winning personalities. This will then determine which political pooch will take home the ultimate parliamentary privilege of the ‘Westminster Dog of the Year 2016’ title.
The Westminster Dog of the Year 2016 competition starts at 10.00am on Thursday 8th September at Victoria Tower Gardens. The judging panel that will determine which pooch wins the highly desired crown includes last year’s winning dog owner Andrea Jenkyns MP, ‘pawblic’ vote winner Hugo Swire 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 Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Trouble please visit www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WDOTY2016