HC Deb 22 July 1919 vol 118 cc1150-2
62. Major NEWMAN

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware, now that the holiday season is commencing, of the hardship caused to the dog owners in the Metropolitan area by the Regulation for bidding the movement of dogs into areas where the Muzzling Order does not apply; and is it his intention to apply the Muzzling Order to England as a whole for, at any rate, the months of August and September?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)

The Board are aware of the inconvenience that is caused to dog owners in the Metropolitan area by the Regulation forbidding the movement of dogs from that area except to veterinary premises. The Board regard restriction of movement as the most effective means of preventing the spread of rabies, and it is within their knowledge that it has prevented the introduction of the disease into another area. The restriction of movement would, therefore, be maintained even if a general Muzzling Order were imposed, for which there is no case. The measures adopted by the Board are meeting with such success in stamping out the outbreaks of rabies that I ask the hon. and gallant Member to have patience and continue to submit to some inconvenience rather than imperil the satisfactory position that has been attained.

Major NEWMAN

Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the propriety of setting up State homes for Metropolitan dogs? How can a man go away if his dog as at home?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I will certainly consider any reasonable suggestion; but I would like to make it perfectly clear that the restrictions on the movements of dogs must be maintained?

Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY

Why should not pet dogs undergo the same restrictions as are imposed on cattle in the matter of foot-and-mouth disease?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I quite agree. In both cases the object is to prevent the spread of disease.

Major LANE-FOX

Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman realise the very strong feeling there is amongst the residents in those areas where rabies does not yet exist against their dogs being infected from other areas by dogs being brought in?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I am quite aware of that, and that is precisely what the Board wishes to prevent,

63. Major NEWMAN

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether several cases of rabies have again been notified in the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire coal-mining districts; will he say if the Muzzling Order is being strictly enforced in the whole of South Wales and Monmouthshire; and is it in tended to put in force in the districts where the latest outbreaks occurred of a similar regulation to that made recently for the western suburbs of London, and require all dogs to be led on a chain as well as muzzled?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

During the period 18th June—17th July seven oubreaks of rabies have been confirmed in Monmouth-shire and Glamorgan. Five of these were in areas to which special restrictions apply, the other two were at Cwmbran, Monmouth-shire, and special restrictions have-been imposed on an area which includes that place. Those restrictions require leading as well as muzzling.