Call to end euthanasia of healthy dogs: Robin Swann MP joins Dogs Trust campaign

Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann

Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann has voiced his strong support for urgent reforms to dog control and welfare legislation across the UK, following his attendance at a Westminster event hosted by the Dogs Trust.

The event, which brought together MPs and leading experts in animal welfare, aimed to address the growing number of dog-related incidents and the pressing need for more balanced, evidence-based policy interventions.

“It was a privilege to attend the Dogs Trust event and join the important conversation on how we can better protect people and dogs through smarter legislation, and I support the push for a more balanced, evidence-based approach to dog control,” Mr Swann said.

The MP for North Antrim highlighted his party’s commitment to animal welfare, citing a recent successful Ulster Unionist motion in the Northern Ireland Assembly. The motion emphasised the importance of high welfare standards and called for reforms to the oversight and operation of local dog pounds.

“Animal protection and the humane treatment of dogs is an important issue for me and the Ulster Unionist Party,” Mr Swann added.

“The Northern Ireland Assembly recently passed a motion proposed by my Party colleagues which read:

‘That this Assembly believes in the highest standard of welfare for dogs in Northern Ireland; commends the work of the Dogs Trust and many other rehoming organisations and charities; expresses concern at the lack of support and oversight from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs regarding enforcement of animal welfare legislation by local councils; is alarmed at the policy of euthanising healthy dogs after just five days if they are not reclaimed; supports the Dogs Trust’s calls for legislation to ensure that all animal welfare establishments, including dog pounds, are licensed and have regular unannounced inspections; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to review local councils’ dog pound and kennelling policies, including the euthanising of healthy dogs and bringing forward a standardised approach across all councils.’”

The motion attracted cross-party attention and concern, particularly over current policies that allow healthy dogs to be put down just days after arriving at council pounds. Mr Swann criticised attempts to weaken the motion’s key calls for reform.

“Unfortunately, at the time the Alliance Party tried to amend this motion, removing all responsibility from their Minister, removing the call to stop the euthanasia of healthy dogs after just five days, and removing the call for a review of local councils’ pound and kennelling policies. This amendment was, thankfully, rejected by the Assembly.”

Mr Swann has since contacted Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council directly to enquire about their current policies on kennelling and euthanasia, and whether they plan to review practices in line with the Assembly’s call for humane reforms.

“I have written to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council to find out more about their dog pound and kennelling policies, and to enquire if they have any need or plans to review their own policies in order to protect dogs here in the South Antrim area,” he said.

“I hope the DAERA Minister can recognise the importance of this issue, and that he commits to a review of all councils’ policies to ensure healthy and safe dogs are not unnecessarily euthanised.”

The Dogs Trust continues to urge governments across the UK to prioritise animal welfare by introducing legislation that prevents unnecessary euthanasia, improves oversight, and promotes responsible dog ownership.