Campaign victory: Bailey the prison dog is in a forever home – controversy prompts official review

Ulster Unionist Party MLA Jon Burrows, and Bailey the dog

Bailey, the Cocker Spaniel at the centre of a high-profile animal welfare row, has been permanently freed from HM Prison Magilligan and rehomed with a loving family, Ulster Unionist Party MLA Jon Burrows has confirmed.

The breakthrough follows months of campaigning by Mr Burrows, animal charities and members of the public, after revelations that Bailey had been kept inside the medium-security prison despite not being trained for such an environment.

Bailey “in a forever home”

Mr Burrows announced the development after receiving written confirmation following a high-level meeting at Stormont with the Director General of Prisons in Northern Ireland and the Governor of Magilligan Prison.

The letter confirmed that Bailey “will never return to prison” and is now permanently settled in a family home.

“This is a wonderful outcome for him,” Mr Burrows said, adding:

“I want to thank Causeway Coast Dog Rescue and the public – working together we freed beautiful Bailey. This is a wonderful outcome for him, but it also highlights the need for a formalised and ethical policy going forward.”

Review into therapy dogs in prisons

The Stormont meeting also produced a significant commitment: a formal review into the use of therapy dogs in the prison system. This review will examine whether proper legislative frameworks, training standards and safeguards are in place to ensure animals are not left to live inside prison wings.

While welcoming Bailey’s release, Mr Burrows warned that his “serious concerns” remain. He said:

“I still have deep concerns that such arrangements have operated outside of formal legislation, without sufficient safeguards for the welfare of animals or clear boundaries to prevent them being left to live in prison wings.”

Earlier warnings

In an earlier letter to Magilligan’s Governor, Mr Burrows raised urgent questions about Bailey’s welfare, including the lack of a dedicated handler, the absence of specialist dog-handling training for officers, and the fact that Bailey did not leave the prison to rest in a domestic setting.

He warned the case represented “a departure from the professional standards and transparent processes which our justice agencies normally demonstrate when implementing policies involving animals”.

Campaign victory

The campaign, supported by Causeway Coast Dog Rescue and local residents, gained momentum after claims that Bailey was frightened of men, quivered at night when prison alarms sounded, and had not been trained for the challenging prison environment.

Public protests were held outside Magilligan Prison, demanding Bailey’s release.

Mr Burrows praised the “collective voice” that secured Bailey’s freedom, saying the case showed what can be achieved when communities and campaigners work together.

What happens next

With Bailey’s welfare now secured, attention turns to the forthcoming review. Animal welfare groups are expected to press for formal legislation governing therapy dogs in prisons, mandatory welfare checks, and independent oversight.

The Department of Justice has previously insisted Bailey was well cared for, citing veterinary records and council inspections, but the review may now determine whether reforms are needed to restore public confidence.