§ Captain GEEasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Peoples' Dispensary for Sick Animals of the Poor treat over 200,000 animals yearly, and that not one of the persons who administer medicine and perform operations is a qualified veterinary surgeon; and what steps does he propose to take to prevent avoidable pain to these animals at the hands of unskilled persons?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSMy attention has not previously been called to this matter. Treatment of animals by a person not having a veterinary qualification is not an offence against the law. The Protection of Animals Act forbids,inter alia, any wanton or unreasonable act causing unnecessary suffering and any operation "performed without due care and humanity." But I have no reason to suppose that the work of this society, the object of which appears to be the relief of animal suffering, is carried on otherwise than with care and humanity.