HL Deb 22 October 1991 vol 531 cc132-3WA
Lord Houghton of Sowerby

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are now taking to compile national statistics of the number of prosecutions of dog owners for keeping a dangerous dog not covered by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991; and

What number of pit bull owners have been prosecuted for keeping a dangerous dog in the course of the current year.

Viscount Astor

Arrangements are in place to collect centrally statistics related to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Statistics are also collected for prosecutions for offences under other legislation relating to dangerous dogs. The most recent year for which these are available is 1989. The information for which the noble Lord asks about pit bull terrier owners is therefore not yet available.

Lord Houghton of Sowerby

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they authorised the advertisement appearing in the national press on 12th August "Essential Information for Pit Bull Owners" and, if so, what was the point of including the dustbin in the illustration.

Viscount Astor

Yes. One of the purposes of the advertising campaign was to show members of the public the size and build of pit bull terriers. It was therefore decided to include a household object in the background of the illustration to give a sense of scale. The dustbin was used because it is a familiar object of relatively standard proportions.