MP makes special visit to Dogs Trust

Buy photos » Evesham’s MP Peter Luff got to scan a microchipped dog during his visit to the Dogs Trust rehoming centre in Wickhamford. (s)

EVESHAM'S MP Peter Luff was given a slobbery welcome as he paid a visit to the Dogs Trust rehoming centre in Wickhamford.

More than ten years on from his previous visit the Mid-Worcestershire MP was greeted by a number of new residents and discussed key dog welfare issues with staff last Friday (October 12).

After scanning a microchipped dog staff explained the benefits of microchipping - a simple and effective tool which the Dogs Trust believes should be made compulsory across the UK to help trace abandoned pets back to irresponsible owners and reduce the number of healthy dogs unnecessarily put to sleep in the UK.

Speaking following the visit, Clarissa Baldwin OBE, CEO of Dogs Trust said: "The staff at the centre and I were delighted to welcome Peter Luff once again to Dogs Trust Evesham.

"The dogs were all on their best behaviour and had extra waggy tails to make him feel welcome.

"Abandonment is one of the main reasons dogs come in to our centre, and this year we have seen 20,366 dogs picked up in the central region, equating to 55 dogs being picked up each day by local authorities.

"We believe these numbers could be reduced by the introduction of compulsory microchipping. We hope that Mr Luff’s visit to our centre will help to highlight this important issue and be a positive step towards tackling the problem."

Mr Luff praised the work the trust does in the Vale and surrounding area.

"Dogs Trust does outstanding work locally here in the Vale, nationally and internationally.

"Its campaign for the microchipping of all dogs is one I strongly support. It will make it easier to reunite lost dogs with their owners, curtail irresponsible dog ownership and save local authorities, who have responsibility for dealing with strays, a lot of money."

For more information about Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk.

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