Former X Factor contestant Mary Byrne features in a new ad campaign for the Animal Rights Action Network, posing holding her rescued mixed-breed dog, Sheba, with the tagline 'Only Cowards Abuse Animals'.

Byrne, who hopes the ad will encourage people to speak out against animal abusers, follows in the footsteps of other celebrities who've supported the animal cruelty charity, including Jedward, Anjelica Huston and Jim Corr.