Lords Sitting of 9 May 1876

MINUTES.
Public Bills—First Reading—Burials in Churchyards* (77); Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation (Aldborough, &c.)* (78); Pool beg Lighthouse* (79).
Second Reading—Drugging of Animals (53).
Committee—Report—All Saints, Moss* (70); Local Government Provisional Orders (Nos. 2 and 3)* (62–63)
Third Reading—Irish Peerage* [32], and passed.

DRUGGING OF ANIMALS BILL—(No. 53.)
(The Marquess of Huntly.)
DRUGGING OF ANIMALS BILL—(No. 53.)

  SECOND READING.
  Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
  THE MARQUESS OF HUNTLY,in moving that the Bill be now read the second time, said, that the object of the measure, which had come up from the Commons, was to prevent the administration of poisonous drugs to horses and other animals by unqualified persons without the knowledge and consent of the owners. As was well known to their Lordships, wag goners, grooms, and other servants having the care of horses frequently administered drugs for the purpose of improving their coats, and for other purposes. Too frequently the operation of these drugs was injurious or fatal to the animals subjected to it: and he had letters from farmers and landlords in the Midland Counties stating that the practice was very common there and had resulted in very heavy pecuniary losses. The first clause of the Bill—which was the only operative clause—provided that if any person wilfully and unlawfully administered to any horse, cattle, or domestic animals any poisonous or injurious drug, unless reasonable cause be shown, he should be liable on summary conviction to a penalty of £5, or imprisonment in the case of a first offence for one month, or for a subsequent offence three months, with or without hard labour. The Bill had met with general approval in the other House of Parliament, and he trusted it would pass through their Lordships' House without opposition.
  Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(The Marquess of Huntly.)
  THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDON: concurred with the noble Marquess as to the necessity for such a measure as this. Very serious results, indeed, had followed the practice of carters in Lincolnshire and other counties giving poisonous substances to horses for the purpose of making their coats look well. If they devoted more time to the grooming of those animals they would bring about all that was desired in the appearance of the coat without the dangerous consequences which followed the administration of those drugs.
  Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.

BURIALS IN CHURCHYARDS BILL [H.L.]
A Bill for the better regulation of Burials in Churchyards—Was presented by The Earl Grey; read 1a. (No. 77.)
House adjourned at half-past Five o'clock, to Thursday next, half-past Ten o'clock.