§ Mr. Liddellmoved the Second Reading of the Dog Stealing Bill, the object of which was to make dog stealing a misdemeanor, and to visit the second offence with transportation for seven years.
§ Mr. Humeobjected to several provisions of the Bill, as opening the door to great oppression. He begged to move that the Bill be read a second time that day six months.
§ Mr. Warburtonopposed the Bill, as awarding punishments disproportioned to the offence, and as being inconsistent with the mild spirit of recent legislation.
§ Sir J. Grahamsaid, he believed it was well known that dog stealing was carried on in this city to an enormous extent, and it was also known that the present Police Act was quite insufficient for its prevention. The possession of a dog was a possession recognised in law; and, although he was not prepared to support all the provisions of the present Bill, he felt that he should act consistently with his duty in giving his support to the second reading.
§ Mr. Watsonsaid, that, as the law stood at present, dog stealing could not be made the subject of an indictment for larceny; but it was punishable with fine, imprisonment and whipping, and surely that was enough to protect the pug-dogs of the old ladies of England.
§ Mr. B. Escottsaid, that the object of this Bill was to obliterate the wise distinctions made by the law of England, and to do so in the most cruel manner. He hoped there would be a division, and that the House would reject this ignorant and meddling attempt at legislation.
§ Sir G. Stricklandfelt opposed to the Bill. However, he thought that there were some clauses in it which aided the operations of the existing law.
§ The House divided on the Question that the Bill be now read a second time:—Ayes 67; Noes 23: Majority 44.
| List of the AYES. | |
| Aglionby, H. A. | Forman, T. S. |
| Ainsworth, P. | Fremantle, rt. hn. Sir T. |
| Allix, J. P. | Fuller, A. E. |
| Astell, W. | Gaskell, J. Milnes |
| Baillie, H. J. | Gladstone, Capt. |
| Barneby, J. | Godson, R. |
| Barron, Sir H. W. | Gore, M. |
| Beckett, W. | Graham, rt. hn. Sir J. |
| Beresford, Major | Greene, T. |
| Berkeley, hon. C. | Grimsditch, T. |
| Berkeley, hon. H. F. | Hamilton, W. J. |
| Boldero, H. G. | Hamilton, Lord C. |
| Borthwick, P. | Hawes, B. |
| Bruges, W. H. L. | Heathcote, G. J. |
| Buller, Sir J. Y. | Henley, J. W. |
| Busfeild, W. | Howard, hon. C. W. G. |
| Cardwell, E. | Howard, P. H. |
| Clayton, R. R. | Hughes, W. B. |
| Clerk, right hon. Sir G. | James, W. |
| Cockburn, rt. hn. Sir G. | Jermyn, Earl |
| Courtenay, Lord | Lincoln, Earl of |
| Cowper, hon. W. F. | Mackenzie, T. |
| Dalmeny, Lord | Mackinnon, W. A. |
| Darby, G. | Manners, Lord J. |
| Denison, E. B. | Marjoribanks, S. |
| Ebrington, Visct. | Mildmay, H. St, John |
| Egerton, W. T. | Miles, W. |
| Newry, Visct. | Vivian, J. H. |
| O'Brien, A. S. | Winnington, Sir T. E. |
| Peel, J. | Wortley, hon. J. S. |
| Pringle, A. | Yorke, H. R. |
| Protheroe, E. | Young, J. |
| Scott, hon. F. | TELLERS. |
| Smith, J. A. | Liddell, hon. H. T. |
| Sutton, hon. H. M. | Berkeley, Capt. |
| List of the NOES. | |
| Baine, W. | Loch, J. |
| Brotherton, J. | Mitcalfe, H. |
| Dennistoun, J. | Mitchell, T. A. |
| Divett, E. | Norreys, Sir D. J. |
| Duncan, G. | Ogle, S. C. H. |
| Dundas, D. | Ricardo, J. L. |
| Escott, B. | Stansfield, W. R. C. |
| Esmonde, Sir T. | Warburton, H. |
| Fielden, J. | Watson, W. H. |
| Forster, M. | Wawn, J. T. |
| Gibson, T. M. | TELLERS. |
| Hindley, C. | Hume, J. |
| Irving, J. | Bright, J. |
§ Bill read a second time.