Following the announcement about restrictions being placed on American XL Bully type dogs in Northern Ireland, the Dog Control Coalition – which is made up of Battersea, Blue Cross, BVA, Dogs Trust, Hope Rescue, PDSA, RSPCA, SSPCA, The Kennel Club, USPCA and Wood Green – has issued the following response:

Battersea has seen a concerning increase in the number of puppies and kittens and young animals being brought to its centres; the charity’s latest figures reveal in time for Word Spay Day.

The average adult in the UK spends 17 minutes each day watching animal content online according to new research from animal welfare charity Battersea. Millennials (35-44 year olds) were the most likely to be scrolling social media for animal content, with one in ten watching animal videos for over half an hour each day.