§ MR. THOMAS BAYLEY (Derbyshire, Chesterfield)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the quarantine regulations issued by the Board of Agriculture compel a dog owner to keep his dog muzzled day and night indoor and outdoor for six months; whether he is aware that, in carrying out these regulations, the police have entered houses at all hours of the day and night; and have instructions been given to the police, and, if so, will he state what the instructions are.
§ MR. RITCHIE (for Mr. Long)My right hon. friend asks me to say that the regulations made by the Board of Agriculture ordinarily require that an imported dog shall be kept muzzled when in any public place or in contact with other dogs, but not at any other time. Where, however, a dog has been illegally landed or removed from the proscribed place of detention the dog is required to be muzzled at all times, except whilst being fed, until satisfactory arrangements for its detention have been made. It is the duty of the police to execute and enforce the Orders of the Board of Agriculture, but it rests with the various police authorities to take the necessary steps for this purpose, and the Board have issued no instructions on the subject. The answer to the hon. Member's second question is in the negative.