78. Mr. BECKETTasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the recent cases of savagery committed by Alsatian dogs towards children, he will consider banning or placing severe restrictions upon the ownership of these animals?
§ Captain HACKINGThere is no power to take any action of the nature suggested, and on the information before me I see no reason to suppose that the ordinary law as to dogs is not sufficient for the protection of the public.
Mr. BECKETTIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in the Press this morning there was a report of a fresh outrage by these dogs, necessitating the use of armed men?
§ Captain HACKINGWhen Alsatians bite anybody, it is always advertised, but Alsatians are not the only dogs that bite.
Mr. BECKETTIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that these are only half dogs, and the other half is wolf?
§ Captain HACKINGI think that is hardly true. They were known as wolfhounds originally, not because they were bred from wolves but because they were there to protect sheep from wolves.