HC Deb 15 March 1976 vol 907 c366W
Miss Fookes

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to strengthen the precautions against rabies by the training of suitable breeds of dogs to seek out hidden and sedated animals being brough into the country.

Mr. Strang

The detection of illegally imported animals, in common with smuggling offences generally, is primarily a matter for Her Majesty's Customs, which has already considered the suggestion of using sniffer dogs in our campaign to keep out rabies. I understand that the main reason why it was not adopted was that if the detector dog encountered an imported animal both would have to be quarantined.