CASTLE Point MP Rebecca Harris has pledged her support to the Dogs Trust’s annual Christmas campaign.

The Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, held an event in Westminster this week to raise awareness of the 35th anniversary of its A Dog is for Life Not Just for Christmas campaign.

It highlights the issue that dogs should not be bought as Christmas presents.

During the event Mrs Harris took the opportunity to learn more about the charity’s work over the Christmas and New Year period.

She said: “I am delighted to support the Dogs Trust and help the charity mark the 35th anniversary of its famous slogan.

“A dog is a lifetime commitment and should never be bought on impulse as if it were a new television or a pair of shoes. This message is particularly poignant during the festive season, when people are buying all sorts of gifts without necessarily considering the consequences.

“I would urge anyone contemplating buying a dog or puppy as a Christmas present to think carefully before doing so.”

Clarissa Baldwin OBE, Dogs Trust chief executive, added: “We are delighted so many MPs are supporting us once again in raising awareness for our annual Christmas campaign.

“Although our iconic slogan is known all over the world, we still see dogs and puppies all too frequently purchased as inappropriate Christmas gifts.

“It is clear our message is as poignant now as it was in 1978, which is why it’s so encouraging to see MPs get behind our message that a dog really is for life”.