26. Captain ARTHUR EVANSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been directed to the fact that the method employed by the provost-sergeant at Kait-el-Nil Barracks, Cairo, in disposing of stray dogs is to tie them up and beat them to death with a club; and if he will take immediate steps to deal with the non-commissioned officer concerned as the case warrants?
§ Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEBefora the question is answered, may I ask whether it is fair and proper on any hon. Member's part, without offering evidence, to accuse anyone of barbarous treatment of dogs in Egypt?
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSI am informed that two dangerous dogs, whose immediate destruction was necessary, have recently been killed by stunning. The General Officer Commanding, Egypt, telegraphs that in his opinion this action was justified in these particular cases, but that the general method is that stray dogs are collected under arrangements approved by the National Society for the 1858 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and handed over to the Society for destruction.
Captain A. EVANSWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman receive privately the information that I have on the subject?
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSI shall be glad of any further information, but really this is an exceptional case, and it was felt better to club possibly mad animals to death rather than risk the troops being bitten.
§ Commander BELLAIRSHave the War Office been put to the expense of telegraphing to Egypt, and receiving a telegraphed reply, in order to get this information?