§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many sheep have been killed by dogs in Scotland during the last six months; what were the corresponding figures for the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownThese statistics are available only for complete calendar years. Figures for 1977 and the previous decade are as follows:
Year No. 1967 842 1968 983 1969 767 1970 838 1971 617 1972 719 1973 996 1974 792 1975 624 1976 740 1977 841 I am very much aware of the suffering caused by the worrying of sheep by dogs and of the losses borne by farmers. This summer we have carried out a publicity campaign in the national press and on local radio to bring home to dog owners the penalties which they face if they permit their dogs to worry livestock. The maximum fines for this offence were considerably increased by the Criminal Law Act 1977.