§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the 1993–94 estimate of expenditure in the Home Office Vote in respect of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)It is not possible to estimate in advance what costs will be incurred by the Home Office in 1993–94 in administering the Dangerous Dogs Act.
§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many staff, and of which grades, are employed full-time in the Home Office on the current work and constant review of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Earl FerrersNo Home Office staff work full-time on the Dangerous Dogs Act. The task of administering and monitoring the operation of the Act falls principally to the Home Office Division responsible for animal matters.
§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What statistics and other information are being collected centrally or being compiled locally to enable constant review of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Earl FerrersInformation on the number of prosecutions, convictions and cautions under this Act for 1992, the first full year for which information will be recorded centrally, is expected to be available76WA around autumn 1993. Information on prosecutions and convictions will be available for each police force area.
Other information on the working of the Act is brought to our attention through contacts with the enforcement authorities, and by Members of both Houses of Parliament, organisations and the general public.
§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What rules are laid down for the putting down of dogs condemned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 as regards (a) the method of killing; (b) whether it is carried out by a veterinary surgeon; and (c) whether the owner can claim to be present and to remove the body for private burial.
Earl FerrersNo rules have been laid down in respect of these matters. Arrangements for putting down dogs following an order of the court under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 are an operational matter for the enforcement authorities.