§ Sir Graham BrightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many dog breeding establishments have been inspected by local authorities since the Breeding of Dogs Act 1991 came into force; and how many were inspected in the period 1986 to 1991; [3760]
(2) how many licences have been issued each year since the passing of the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973; and what proportion of applications are refused; [3759]
(3) how many dog breeding establishments have been closed under the Breeding of Dogs Act 1991; and how many offenders have been fined the maximum amount under this legislation; [3771]
(4) what measures are being taken to ensure local authorities are complying with the requirements of the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973. [3773]
§ Mr. SackvilleInformation is not collected centrally about the number of dog breeding establishments inspected by local authorities, the number of licences issued and applications refused, and the number of296W breeding establishments which have been closed down. So far as we are aware, no offender has been fined the maximum amount under the legislation.
The level of priority given to implementing the provisions of the Breeding of Dogs Acts is a matter for local authorities to determine.
§ Sir Graham BrightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dog breeders have been convicted under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 since 1966. [3772]
§ Mr. MacleanIt is not possible, from the information held centrally, to identify offences specific to dog breeding from other summary offences under the Protection of Animals Act 1911, as amended. In 1995, there were 754 recorded convictions under the Act.