§ 38. Mr. Crouchasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of flocks of sheep that have been attacked by dogs this year.
Mr. AmoryThe latest available information relates to 1955. During that year, 3.676 attacks on sheep by dogs in England and Wales were reported to the police.
§ Mr. CrouchIs my right hon. Friend satisfied with the result of the constant appeals that are made to dog owners to restrain their dogs and to take more care?
Mr. AmoryI am not too happy about the position. We make these appeals from time to time with the co-operation of the National Farmers' Unions and the animal welfare societies. In spite of that fact, the number of attacks remains at too high a level. I would very much like to see it reduced.
§ Mr. ChampionIs the Minister satisfied that the working of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act, 1953, is sufficient to prevent these attacks?
Mr. AmoryI am not too satisfied about the present position. The number of casualties among sheep in the reported cases runs to about 8,000 per year. That seems to be deplorably high.
§ Sir L. Joynson-HicksIs my right hon. Friend aware that his appeals will continue to be of no success so long as local magistrates impose completely derisory penalties for these offences?
Mr. AmoryI have no information about the size of the fines imposed, but I noticed that in the reported attacks fines were imposed in about 1,500 cases, and I was glad to see that.