MLA Jon Burrows confirms Bailey the support dog removed from Magilligan Prison amid welfare concerns

Bailey the dog

Bailey, a support dog kept inside HM Prison Magilligan, has been removed from the facility and placed in a temporary home following weeks of protests, public concern and political intervention.

The controversy, which has attracted national media attention, centres on whether a high-security prison was ever an appropriate environment for a timid and untrained animal.

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MLA Jon Burrows, who has campaigned on the issue, confirmed:

“Bailey is out of Magilligan and in a temporary home. We now need to ensure he stays out of prison and proper safeguards are introduced for animals brought into the prison estate.”

Concerns Raised in Letter to Prison Governor

In a letter to Magilligan Governor David Milling, dated 18 September 2025, Mr Burrows set out his concerns and requested a formal site visit to assess Bailey’s conditions.

He argued there was an “apparent lack of a robust legislative and policy framework, along with necessary safeguards, for the placement of a dog in a high-risk prison environment.”

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MLA Jon Burrows

He listed three key issues for discussion:

• That Bailey appeared to have no dedicated, primary handler or master, something he described as “fundamental for the well-being and effective management of any working dog”.

• That prison officers with responsibility for Bailey had not received formal, specialist dog-handling training.

• That Bailey did not appear to leave the prison environment after his ‘shift’ to recuperate in a domestic home, raising “serious questions about his long-term welfare and socialisation.”

Mr Burrows told the Governor he was also in contact with animal welfare charities, many of whom feared that the case reflected a wider breakdown in professional standards and transparency in how policies involving animals were implemented by justice agencies. He stressed:

“Given the significant public interest and the serious animal welfare considerations at stake, I would request that this be considered as a matter of urgency.”

Conflicting Views

The Department of Justice (DoJ) has previously strongly disputed claims of neglect. In a statement, officials insisted:

“Bailey is registered with a local veterinary practice and is in good health. Local council officials have recently visited Magilligan Prison and confirmed that Bailey is in excellent condition, appropriately housed and properly safeguarded.”

Inspections by Mid & East Antrim Borough Council previously found Bailey’s welfare to be in line with required standards.

The DoJ has also defended the use of support dogs in prisons, highlighting their value in rehabilitation programmes for inmates with mental health challenges or addiction issues.

“Quivered at Night”

Yet campaigners remain unconvinced. According to Causeway Coast Dog Rescue, Bailey’s former owner “had no idea he was going to a prison” and described him as timid and fearful of men.

Mr Burrows said this explained why Bailey “quivered at night when alarms were sounding or fights broke out.” He added:

“Bailey was not trained for a prison environment, let alone living in one. That is why he quivered at night when alarms were sounding or fights broke out.”

What Happens Next

With Bailey now rehoused, campaigners want to ensure no similar case occurs again. Mr Burrows said:

“Let’s now work to ensure lessons are learnt, and proper safeguards are introduced. Our job isn’t yet completed. The peaceful protests at Magilligan remain an opportunity to let the Justice Department and Prison Service leaders know we demand proper care for animals. They refused to listen to us!”

Animal welfare groups are now pushing for a clear policy on the introduction of animals into the prison estate, mandatory welfare oversight, and proper training for staff.

The Justice Department has indicated it will continue to liaise with prison service staff and animal charities to ensure support dog schemes are properly managed.

Meanwhile, a protest organised by Causeway Coast Dog Rescue outside Magilligan Prison is set to go ahead on Monday 22nd September between 11:00am to 2:00pm. Campaigners are calling for proper policies and guidelines to be set in place for the use of “support dogs” in prison settings in Northern Ireland.