MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a case of cruelty to a donkey which came before the magistrates at Lancaster on the 7th instant; whether he is aware that the animal referred to was mauled, during a public performance at the Morecambe Winter Gardens in Whit week, by lions, and died of the injuries received; and that the magistrates dismissed the case upon the ground that there was no intentional cruelty; and whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation for the prevention of performances attended with such risks to animals which take part in them.
§ * MR. RITCHIEI have seen the newspaper extract referring to the case which the lion. Member was good enough to send me, and, having made inquiry, I must say that, while 1 doubt the practicability of any more stringent legislation in the matter, it seems to me that a view of the facts might have been taken which would have brought the case within the terms of the existing law. That, however, is a question for the magistrates, and I have no power to interfere.