A former Reform MP has called himself a ‘coward’ after he had his pet dog shot to death with a shotgun.
Rupert Lowe, who was a member of Nigel Farage’s party until a high-profile clash with the leader earlier this year, decided against having his beloved 17-year-old Labrador put down at the vet after it lost the use of its back legs.
Instead he reportedly told fellow MPs that he asked his gamekeeper Kevin to put dog Cromwell out of its misery with a shotgun on his Gloucestershire estate.
Lowe, who now sits as an Independent, argued it was more humane for a dog to die in their own back yard than take them to a vet, where they can sense something is wrong and panic.
The Great Yarmouth MP told the Mail on Sunday: ‘My keeper shot our dog the other day. He was a labrador of 17.
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‘Dogs do go through ups and downs for a bit, but in the end Cromwell’s back legs went and our keeper Kevin very kindly did the job.
‘Cromwell didn’t go anywhere, he wasn’t away from home and he wouldn’t have known anything about it. So much kinder.
‘They are not driven to the vet, they don’t smell the vet, it’s just all over very quickly.’
Lowe said he would have been ‘proud’ to shoot his pet himself, but did not have the heart to do so.
He added: ‘I would find it difficult, which is why my keeper did it. So you can call me a coward on that basis, if you want.
‘I’ve got friends who can shoot their dogs. [They] just take them on a walk, put a shooting rifle at the back of their head and bang, done.
‘They don’t feel anything. I would have found it hard. He was 17 and had been with us that long.
‘I would be proud to tell you it was me who did it, [but] I can’t claim that credit.’
Cromwell was buried by a tennis court, next to Lowe’s previous pets.
The politician openly told his colleagues in Westminster about his decision, triggering debate among MPs about what to do with a sick pet.
Elizabeth Davenport, campaign manager at Animal Aid, said: ‘It highlights a serious failing of animal protection in the UK.
‘There is currently no legislation that protects dogs from this kind of “at home” euthanasia – or indeed many other concerning practices.
‘Legislation that does exist, such as the Animal Welfare Act 2006, only protects animals from “unnecessary” harm but allows individuals – who may have no prior knowledge or experience of animal health and welfare – to decide what is or is not necessary.’
Politicians have previously upended their political career by admitting their dog was shot to death.
Over in the US, South Dakota governor Kristi Noem was a leading contender to be Donald Trump’s vice-presidential running mate when she described shooting dead her pet.
She decided that was the best outcome for her 14-month-old wirehair pointer called Cricket because of its ‘aggressive personality’.
The revelation in her memoir prompted a wave of backlash and she was ultimately not chosen to be Donald Trump’s number 2.
Lowe’s decision differs from that of his former colleague Lee Anderson.
The Reform chief whip posted on social media last December about having his West Highland terrier Alfie, also 17, put down by a vet.
Anderson wrote: ‘This morning Alfie went to sleep for the last time. All his pain has gone. He has left a massive hole.’
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