By Martin Banks - 12th February 2009
Parliament is here to represent citizens in Europe but this sort of thing does our reputation no good at all
Neil Parish MEP, chair of parliament's animal welfare intergroup, on the security services' refusal to let assistance dogs on the premises
Parliament’s security officers have been branded “unfeeling” for refusing to allow access to assistance dogs accompanying people attending an event on Wednesday.
They included people with disabilities and members of the Belgian police dog team participating in European pet night, an annual event which aims to raise awareness of animal welfare issues.
It is claimed the assembly’s security staff told several people who turned up with their dogs that the animals would not be allowed on to parliament’s premises because they posed a potential security threat.
The dogs are classed as assistance animals because they belong to people with reduced mobility or a disability but one of the dogs refused entry belonged to the Belgian police, who had a stand at the event.
Portuguese Socialist MEP Paulo Casaca said the only dog allowed in was Jet, which belonged to wheelchair-bound Belgian Celine le Conte, from Brussels.
Casaca, vice chair of parliament’s animal welfare intergroup, said, “It is absolutely ludicrous. We insisted that these animals should be allowed access because they were well-trained dogs and were accompanied by responsible owners, but they [parliament’s security] were adamant.
“This was a totally unjustified restriction and I will raise it with the parliamentary authorities.”
His comments were echoed by British EPP-ED deputy Neil Parish, who chairs the group. “This ban defies commonsense,” he added. “While I accept that security has to be tight, I cannot believe that a few dogs accompanied by their owners attending an event constitutes a security risk.
“We had not such problem when we held the event in a hotel last year. Parliament is here to represent citizens in Europe but this sort of thing does our reputation no good at all.”
Parish, who said he will raise the matter with parliament’s quaestors – who look after MEPs’ administrative and financial matters – went on: “The decision caused upset and illustrates the need to look at the whole issue of security in this parliament.”
Another MEP attending the event, UK centre-right deputy John Bowis, said, “When I was told what had happened I couldn’t believe it.
“The idea that dogs belonging to people with disabilities and the police might pose a security threat is ludicrous. It shows a complete lack of feeling.”
The pet night attracted a broad variety of organisations representing animal welfare and animal health sectors. It aims to highlight the many benefits of animals to people.
Declan O’Brien, managing director IFAH-Europe, which represents the animal health industry, said, “Animals are important to society, so we should work together to protect their health and welfare.”
Parliament’s security services were unavailable for comment.
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