§ Mr. BRIGGSI beg to move, in page 1, to leave oat from the word "therefor" in line 20 to the end of the Clause, and to insert instead thereof the words:
§ "4.—(1) Any person (in this section referred to as 'the finder') who takes possession of a stray dog shall forthwith either—
- (a) return the dog to its owner; or
- (b) take the dog to the police-station which is nearest to the place where the dog was found and inform the police officer in charge of that station where the dog was found.
§ (2) Where a dog has been so taken to a police-station then—
- (a) if the finder desires to keep the dog he shall inform the said police office of his name and address, and the said police officer shall make out in duplicate a certificate in such form as may be prescribed by the Secretary of State stating the description of the dog, the place where it was found, the date on which it was brought to the police-station, the name and address of the finder, and shall give one copy of the certificate to the finder and retain the other, and thereupon the finder may remove the dog, but shall be under an obligation to keep it for not less than one month;
- (b) if the finder does not desire to keep the dog the said police officer shall treat it as if it had been seized by him in pursuance of section three of this Act.
§ (3 If the finder fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section lie shall he liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding forty shillings."
§ This Amendment is supported by a number of those interested in dogs, including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, of which the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Lieutenant-Colonel Moore) is a member of the Council, the National Canine Defence League, the chairman of which is the hon. Member for Central Hackney (Sir R. Gower) and the Glasgow Dogs' Home, the vice-chairman of which is my hon. Friend the Member for the Maryhill Division of Glasgow (Mr. Coupes). I will not weary the Committee by explaining it, because this is absolutely an agreed Bill.
§ Sir ROBERT GOWERI wish to support the Amendment.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ Question, "That the Clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill," put, and agreed to.