LORD H. BRUCE (Wilts, Chippenham)I wish to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the German wire muzzle is being largely used in London in consequence of the order that all dogs are to be muzzled, and that this muzzle is exceedingly liable to slip, when it causes great pain to the dog; whether he 727 observed in the scare of 1887 that most of these wire muzzles did not fit; that some were so loose that they got jammed over the dogs' eyes, and that others were so tight that these dumb animals were prevented from either eating or lapping; and whether he will appoint a committee of sportsmen to investigate the matter?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI am informed by the Commissioner of Police that he has no information whether the facts suggested by my noble Friend are accurate. He will, however, make inquiry. It would be beyond the province of Government to appoint a committee of sportsmen to do what every man, whether a sportsman or not, has a right under the Privy Council order to do for himself—namely, to select the form of muzzle which may best suit his dog, provided always that it is one which will prevent the dog from biting and will not interfere with its breathing or lapping water. There is nothing to prevent such an inquiry from being made by gentlemen acting in their private capacity, and I have no doubt that the public would gladly avail themselves of any suggestions they might offer if these suggestions are valuable.