§ Mr. FREEMANasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the conviction recently obtained at Portsmouth against an owner of dogs for compelling them to perform tricks in such a manner as to cause them suffering; and whether he will consider the desirability of legislation forbidding all such public performances of animals?
§ Mr. SHORTMy right hon. Friend has seen a newspaper report of the case. The result would appear to indicate that the existing law is adequate to punish cruelty in connection with animal performances. The Select Committee of the House which was appointed to inquire into the subject in 1922 came to the conclusion that the exhibition of performing animals should not be prohibited and the present case does not seem to my right hon. Friend to afford any ground for reconsideration of that decision.