Dangerous Dogs (Hansard, 8 December 1992)

§ Mr. Foulkes
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice is given to police forces regarding identification of dog types in relation to prosecutions under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

§ Mr. Charles Wardle
The Home Office issued guidance to the police about the identification of specially controlled dogs shortly before the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 came into force in August 1991. Chief officers of police were also sent posters giving further indication of typical size and range of colouring of pit bull terriers.
In a Home Office circular containing further advice on the 1991 Act, issued this year, the attention of the police was drawn to a list, provided by the Stafforshire Bull Terrier Breed Council, of clubs which are willing to offer advice where there is any doubt about whether a particular dog is a Staffordshire bull terrier. This is the type with which the pit bull terrier is most commonly confused.

§ Mr. Foulkes
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding problems arising from the operation of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

§ Mr. Charles Wardle
We regularly receive representations from hon. Members, animal welfare bodies and other organisations and individuals about the 1991 Act. There is also regular contact with the enforcement authorities on various aspects of the operation of the Act. We shall continue to listen carefully to those who wish to offer constructive comments.

§ Mr. Foulkes
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimate of the cost of keeping dogs in kennels during the course of appeals in relation to prosecutions under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

§ Mr. Charles Wardle
Information relating to the total cost of keeping dogs in kennels pending the outcome of appeals under the 1991 Act is not collected centrally. Kennelling costs may vary around the country. However I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the cost of kennelling one dog for one day in the London area is about £8.
550W

§ Mr. Foulkes
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost to date of prosecutions under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991; how much has been paid to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and what other organisations have received payment.

§ Mr. Charles Wardle
Information on the costs to the police, local authorities, the Crown prosecution service and the courts of prosecutions under the 1991 Act is not available centrally.
The Home Office has not made any payments to the RSPCA or the SSPCA. At the time the exemption scheme was coming into effect, payments were made to the Index of Exempted Dogs, which administers the exemption scheme established under the Act, in respect of reminder letters issued by the index to the owners of specially controlled dogs who had registered with the police but who had not at that time completed the exemption process. The index also received revenue from fees collected in respect of applications made for certificates of exemption.