A DOG IS FOR LIFE, NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN

Early day motion 202, tabled 3 December 2003 by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative). Signed by 63 members.

That this House notes that the Dog's Trust famous slogan, A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas, was created in 1978 by the charity's Chief Executive, Clarissa Baldwin, at a time when thousands of people were buying puppies to give to family and friends as Christmas presents, resulting in animals being abandoned in the New Year; recognises that despite many years of campaigning by the National Canine Defence League, now called Dog's Trust, a serious problem still exists of dogs being given as Christmas presents; further recognises that the Dog's Trust has established that the most popular time of year for puppies to be abandoned is the start of the Easter holidays, when dogs who were given as Christmas presents have grown up to be big boisterous dogs; further recognises that the problem of dogs being given as Christmas presents continues to be a major concern, in a country where there were at least 117,000 strays and abandoned dogs taken in by local authorities last year; and wholeheartedly supports the Dog's Trust in its determination to ensure that one day, all dogs are cared for by responsible owners, and have a home for life.

Signatures by party: Labour 36, Liberal Democrat 12, Conservative 9, DUP 1, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.