HC Deb 28 June 1831 vol 4 c445
Mr. Alderman Wood

rose to move for leave to bring in a Bill to prevent the spreading of Canine Madness. Neither the smiles of one party nor the frowns of another should prevent him from doing his duty. He had, at the suggestion of the right hon. Baronet then Secretary of State (Sir Robert Peel), moved for a Committee to inquire into the subject, and it was proved before that Committee that the disease was spreading. He did not know whether it was intended to offer any opposition to the motion, but if it was so, he should certainly take the sense of the House on the question, in order to see if they were more disposed to favour brute animals than the human species. On the question of the necessity of some legislative provision, there was, in his opinion, no doubt, and he therefore moved for leave to bring in a Bill to prevent the spreading of Canine Madness.

Leave given.