§ Mr. BROOKEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of prosecutions for sheep worrying by dogs in the county of Dumbarton for the period January to December, 1929, and from January, 1930, to the present date?
Mr. W. ADAMSONSheep worrying as such is not an offence, in respect of which criminal proceedings can be taken. Section 1 of the Dogs Act, 1906, provides a remedy at civil law against the owner of a dog for injury done to sheep. I understand that no civil actions were brought in Dumbarton County under that provision in the periods referred to in the question. The Act also enables a Court of Summary Jurisdiction to make an order under Section 2 of the Dogs Act, 1871, requiring an owner of a dog to keep it under propel control or to have it destroyed if it is proved to have injured or chased sheep. In Dumbarton County eight such orders were made during 1929, and three have been made in 1930 to date.