§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has commissioned on the health hazards posed by dog faeces in public places; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department has not commissioned any recent research in this area.
The Public Health Laboratory Service communicable disease surveillance centre monitors human infections including those which may be transmitted from dog to man through the inadvertent ingestion of faeces from infected dogs or soil, environment, food or water contaminated by the source. The CDSC and Central Veterinary Laboratory are currently undertaking a study into the transmission of campylobacter from puppies to humans. Also, a multidisciplinary group on human toxocara infections, initiated by CDSC, has been convened within the United Kingdom, the primary aim of which is to investigate cases of childhood toxocariasis.
The Department takes the health risks posed by dog mess very seriously and strongly encourages adherence to basic hygiene procedures, such as wearing gloves when gardening and washing hands after gardening or, with children, when they have been playing in the garden or parks, et cetera, as well as responsible dog ownership.