Top of the pups! Boris Johnson adopts rescue dog thanks to Jewish vet

Animal welfare activist Marc Abraham advised Prime Minister and his partner Carrie Symonds on adopting Dilyn the Jack Russell

By Jack Mendel September 4, 2019, 10:50 am Edit

Jack Mendel is the former Online Editor at the Jewish News.

Beleaguered Prime Minister Boris Johnson can at least count on one loyal friend – even if it’s of the four-legged variety – after he adopted a rescue puppy thanks to the help of a Jewish animal welfare campaigner.

Johnson and his partner, Carrie Symonds, took in Dilyn the Jack Russell this week after seeking advice from celebrity vet Marc Abraham.

Dilyn had been rescued by charity, Friends of Animals Wales, which the PM’s spokesman described as, “a fantastic charity run by volunteers who work around the clock to make a difference to animals.”

Abraham, who successfully spearheaded the recent Lucy’s Law campaign to crack down on puppy farming, said the adoption “ticks all the boxes”.

Speaking to Jewish News, the campaigner said he knew Carrie, “because she is a big campaigner,” and that she “has always only adopted from rescue, and only adopted the most vulnerable dogs.”

He added: “She always gets older rescue dogs from a charity called Oldies Club.

“There was a rumour flying around Downing Street that they were thinking of getting a dog. I got in touch with Carrie and had a meeting. We chatted through the options, and I said, ‘if you really to get a dog that ticks so many boxes, with regard to rescuing a dog with a problem, a victim of third party puppy trade, being from a volunteer-run group, as well as promoting Lucy’s Law, then this is definitely the charity to go for.’”

Dilyn was handed over to the Prime Minister and Symonds at Downing Street on Monday, after which Johnson was seen taking him for a walk around the garden.

He will live with his new owners at the flat occupied by Johnson and Simons at No 11.

Abraham added: “Obviously Boris is quite busy this week, but he stuck around for a bit, and spoke to the volunteers who came with us.”

Speaking about the adoption, the activist said: “To be a grassroots campaigner who has led a 10 year campaign and changed legislation, and to have the PM wearing your campaign rosette is a dream come true. I’m incredibly proud”.