On Thursday 8th September, Alex Chalk, Conservative MP for Cheltenham, and a Dogs Trust rescue dog 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 Alex Chalk MP to show off his four-legged friend.
As well as this, the competition encourages an open dialogue on important dog welfare issues including the theme of this year’s event, the need for education to ensure that children understand how to interact safely with dogs.
Proud entrant, Alex Chalk MP explains: “I am delighted to be entering a Dogs Trust Rescue dog on behalf of Cheltenham as this is an excellent way of highlighting the work of Dogs Trust and some of the wonderful dogs that require a new home. I am hoping that we can not only be victorious in the competition but that if we win, my rescue dog will find a loving home for life in the process.”
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 reviewing 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, ‘paw-blic’ 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 Alex Chalk and his Dogs Trust pooch please visit www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WDOTY2016