§ 23. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now able to make a statement on his investigations into matters concerning the use of guard dogs.
§ Mr. MaudlingI have now received reports from chief officers of police. In 1970 rather more than 200 attacks by guard dogs were reported to the police in England and Wales. This includes attacks by dogs with handlers and attacks on employees or trespassers in the guarded premises. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are not satisfied on the evidence so far available that it would be desirable or feasible to prohibit the use of unattended guard dogs, which are widely owned or employed to protect property and to deter theft and vandalism; but a more detailed analysis is being made of the incidents known to the police, and we shall consider, in consultation with chief officers of police, whether there is any other effective action that could be taken to reduce the number of incidents.
§ Mr. LewisMay I express the appreciation of the House, and of people outside, for that report. No one has suggested that people should stop using guard dogs. 1581 What hon. Members and the public outside have said is that there should be stricter control of the people in charge of them. We pay tribute to the way in which the police look after their guard dogs, but there are some organisations and persons who should not be in charge of any dog, let alone a guard dog. Would the right hon. Gentleman consider some system of special licence so that these people—[Interruption.] Hon. Members know that no one stops me from barking. This is a serious matter, because some organisations use savagery and thuggery against the dogs in their so-called training of them. These people ought to be licensed. Ought there not to be some stricter control over some of these organisations?
§ Mr. MaudlingIf people use savagery and thuggery, they are committing an offence, and if it is known to the police they will be prosecuted. On the general question of licensing dogs, the reaction to the hon. Gentleman's question shows that it is not an easy one to answer.
§ Mr. FarrIs my right hon. Friend aware that there never was a need for an inquiry into the use of guard dogs, which only do the job they have been trained to do, but, rather, the inquiry should be directed to those parents who allow their children to run wild on the streets without supervision and, in consequence, endanger them?
§ Mr. MaudlingThat is a very much wider point. I think that there is concern about this. There have been incidents of a tragic character and it must be my concern, wherever possible, to prevent tragedies from happening.