I was very pleased to be able to host a round table event in Westminster this week with representatives from leading animal welfare charities. We discussed a range of subjects, including the long awaited Kept Animals Bill, but primarily it was about enforcement of existing legislation and how best Councils can collaborate to make enforcement effective.
There was an interesting conversation about licensing of dog breeders, and the issues that have become very apparent around XL Bully Dogs, which have been responsible for a number of horrendous dog attacks across the country.
This week was also the Liaison Committee with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak being questioned by Select Committee Chairs. The topics this time were the Budget, the problems with small boats crossing the Channel and the Windsor Framework.
I also had a PMQ on Wednesday - this time directed to the Deputy Prime Minister as the PM was at the funeral of former Speaker, Betty Boothroyd. Earlier in the week I had met Georgia Harrison, a very brave young woman who has been the victim of revenge porn. Georgia, quite rightly, wants to see the law strengthened to make it easier to prosecute this hideous crime, and I will be doing all that I can to support her.
