§ MR. NORRIS (Tower Hamlets, Limehouse)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the Regulations as to the muzzling of dogs are issued by the Chief Commissioner of Police under the Metropolitan Streets Act of 1867, or the Dogs Act of 1871, or on the direct authority of the Secretary of State; whether, under present Regulations, he will consider the desirability, in order to avoid disputes and litigation, to define clearly, for the guidance of magistrates and the information of the police, what is meant by a dog being under "proper control;" and, whether he will issue stringent regulations that all dogs should be muzzled in the streets and roads within the Metropolitan jurisdiction, whether accompanied by their owners or not?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)In answer to my hon. Friend I have to say that regulations, in as wide and stringent terms as possible, as to dogs are issued under both the Statutes named by the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolitan District, and referred to in the Question, and not by the Secretary of State. The Metropolitan Streets Act, 1867, enables the Commissioner of Police to direct that dogs in the district of the Metropolitan Board of Works shall be muzzled or led. The Dogs Act, 1871, only enables the Commissioner of Police to direct that dogs in the Metropolitan Police District shall be subject to restrictions unless they are under "control." That phrase is one used by the Legislature, and it is for the magistrates to interpret it. There are now in existence regulations under both Statutes which appear to me sufficient.
§ Subsequently,
§ MR. NORRISsaid, that the right hon. and learned Gentleman had not answered the latter part of his Question.
§ MR. MATTHEWSI stated that regulations had been issued under both Statutes, in as wide and stringent terms as those Statutes admitted of. I cannot do any more.