§ 52. Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what priority he accords, in his overall policy towards law and order, to the elimination of illegal dog fights; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Government share the public abhorrence of the barbaric practice of dog fighting. We therefore supported the Protection of Animals (Penalties) Act 1987 increasing the maximum penalties available for these and other offences against animals, and are supporting the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Bill to increase substantially the maximum penalties for attendance at animal fights or baiting.