A cocker spaniel named Bailey has been ‘freed’ from a jail in Northern Ireland after concerns were raised over its welfare.

Bailey was introduced into Magilligan Prison in County Londonderry through a scheme offering comfort dogs for prisoners.

But insiders said the three-and-a-half-year-old dog was being held in Block H2, said to house the most violent inmates, including sex offenders, as first reported by Sunday World.

Prison officers alleged Bailey had been limping and ‘quivering’ at night because of the prison alarms, shouting and fights.

News about Bailey’s condition sparked campaigns such as #ProtectBailey and #AllDogsMatter as people lobbied the Department of Justice (DoJ) to relocate the former family pet.

Volunteers and staff at Causeway Coast Dog Rescue held peaceful protest

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