MP ANGELA RAYNER AND LUNA GET PAWLITICAL AS RACE TO BE CROWNED WESTMINSTER DOG OF THE YEAR 2019 BEGINS

ASHTON MP Angela Rayner and her two-year-old golden retriever Luna, will compete with other politicians and their pooches to win the coveted title of Westminster Dog of the Year 2019 soon

Dogs of all shapes and sizes, regardless of breed, creed or "pawlitical" persuasion, will head to Victoria Tower Gardens in Westminster with their two-legged MP owners on September 5 to see who will be crowned Parliament’s top dog next month.

Organised jointly by Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club, the competition offers the unique chance for Ms Rayner to show off her loyal canine companion, Luna.

The theme of this year’s event focuses on promoting responsible dog ownership, making sure that alongside all the joys of having a dog, owners recognise the responsibility they have to ensure their four-legged friend is a positive member of the community and is able to live a happy and healthy life.

Alongside this, the competition encourages an open dialogue on important dog welfare issues, as well as providing an opportunity for MPs to meet with experts to discuss all aspects of the canine world.

Angela said: “Luna is a hero in our family. She came into our family to be a buddy dog for my son Charlie who was born at 23 weeks (17 weeks prematurely) and beat all the odds to survive.

"He is now 11 and will start at a mainstream senior school in September and is very excited.

"He is registered blind but Luna will accompany him to and from school every day and be by his side in the classroom.

"This will give him the independence he needs as he gets older while giving us the comfort of knowing that he has his buddy with him if he needs a bit of extra support.

"I would be over the moon to see her recognised for the way she has made my son’s life so much better.

“We’re really looking forward to Westminster Dog of the Year, it will be a great chance to highlight the importance of responsible dog ownership and to accelerate the work MPs are doing to improve dog welfare in parliament, particularly around irresponsible breeding.”

MPs will also be calling for their supporters to vote for their canine companions in a bid to win the "paw-blic" vote, with additional judging on the day by representatives from Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club, who will review the contestants on their heroic doggy deeds and winning personalities. After votes have been cast, one lucky pooch will take home the ultimate parliamentary privilege of the ‘Westminster Dog of the Year 2019’ title.

Details of all the MPs and dogs entered for Westminster Dog of the Year and voting information can be found at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/events/westminster-dog-of-the-year/