Sir David Amess with his pugs, Lily and Boat, in 2013
(Picture: PA)Members of the public are calling for David Amess’ French bulldog Vivienne to win the title of Westminster Dog of the Year, in tribute to the Tory MP and animal lover who was murdered on Friday.
The Southend MP was stabbed “several times” at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, where he was holding a constituency surgery. A 25-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder, with the Metropolitan Police formally declaring the incident as terrorism.
Sir David is the second MP to be murdered in five years, after Jo Cox – the Labour MP for Batley and Spen - was killed at a constituency surgery in 2016.
As people across the political spectrum pay tribute to the “dedicated” and “kindest” public servant, attention has also turned to ways to honour the MP, who long campaigned for Southend to be made a city.
He was a committed animal rights activist, voicing support for a ban on fox hunting, speaking out against pet theft and sponsoring the Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act in 1998 to protect horses, asses and mules.
He also entered his pup Vivienne into the Westminster Dog of the Year contest, a competition run by The Kennel Club to reward a dog’s “good deeds and devotion to their owner rather than policies or opinions”.
In a description of his beloved pooch, Sir David said: “Every time I walk into the room Vivienne throws herself at me, lies on their back with her legs in the air to be tickled. But before that she always brings a toy so she is of a generous, giving nature.
Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter
“If I am feeling down, the dog lifts my spirits as she is always pleased to see me and she makes me smile.”
Now Twitter users are encouraging others to crown Vivienne top dog in what’s been described as a “fitting” tribute:
Just voted for Vivienne in honour of @amessd_southend https://t.co/YYb43jbCpg
— Christine Williams Ⓥ (@TillyFlop1) October 15, 2021
I just voted for Sir David a fitting tribute.
— CraiginWales All tweets common sense. (@ghost_wales) October 15, 2021
Please feel free to vote too. https://t.co/32CsIMTMfD
A gentle tribute to Sir David. https://t.co/56azJpPWzY
— Mama Doughson (@MaMaDolson) October 15, 2021
Lets get this trending people and take a moment to vote for Sir David and Vivienne.
— Sandra (@SandraLouR14) October 15, 2021
Such a sad loss to the world of politics but more importantly, a good, kind man cruelly taken from his loving family and friends. https://t.co/jigkBfgJzQ
Sir David Amess was in politics for all the right reasons and put his constituents at the heart of everything he did.
— Cllr Michelle Kelly (@ShellKell00) October 16, 2021
His other great passion was animal welfare and he’d have been delighted to win this competition as another opportunity to highlight dog theft.#ripdavidamess https://t.co/jsgKsqEX7W
Let's vote for Vivienne, in memory of Sir David https://t.co/JWJpFpf0BU
— Andy Poole (@andrewgpoole) October 15, 2021
I voted for Sir David and his dog Vivienne #RIPSirDavidAmess https://t.co/ZcMhsyHE1F
— ParentChain (@parentchain) October 15, 2021
The public vote section of the contest is open until 27 October 2021, and votes can be cast on The Kennel Club’s official website.
