§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many charges have been brought following illegal dogfighting in the north-west; in how many of those cases the accused was convicted; and what was the average custodial sentence in such cases.
Persons proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced in Magistrates' Courts for offences under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 England and Wales Number of defendants Year Proceeded against Found guilty Committed for sentence Detention centre Unsuspended imprisonment 1977 640 557 1 11 8 1978 704 605 1 7 3 1979 669 598 — 3 7 1980 809 719 — — 11 1981 833 719 — 1 10 1982 820 728 — 2 6 1983 839 747 — 4 10 1984 875 764 — 1 10