HC Deb 11 March 1895 vol 31 cc751-2
MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S. E.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture if he can state the number of cases of rabies (dogs) in 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, and 1894?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. HERBERT GARDNER, Essex, Saffron Walden)

The number of cases of rabies in dogs during the six years in question has been 312, 129, 79, 38, 93, and 248. I may add that, practically, the whole increase in 1894 as compared with 1893 has been in the two counties of the West Riding of Yorkshire and Lancashire, and that we have constantly been in communication with the Local Authorities in those counties as to the measures to be taken to bring about a more satisfactory position as regards this dangerous disease.

MR. A. B. FORWOOD (Lancashire, Ormskirk)

Is it not a fact that only parts of Lancashire are under the proclamation as to the Muzzling Order, and that in places the dogs on one-half of a street may be muzzled, while on the other they are allowed to be running about freely?

MR. GARDNER

I do not think that that is quite the case. What the right hon. Gentleman says is, however, partly right, for some portions of Lancashire are not under the Muzzling Order.