§ 43. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many stray dogs were brought to police stations in the Metropolitan area as lost or in need of protection in 1951; how long they are maintained at stations; how many were restored to their owners; whether separate accommodation is provided for dogs and bitches when the latter are in season; how many were destroyed; what is the method of slaughtering; how much per week a police station is allowed for maintenance of a dog; and what action he is taking in this matter.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeIn the Metropolitan Police District stray dogs are not usually kept at police stations for more than 24 hours as the two dogs' homes (Battersea and North London), appointed under the Dogs Act, 1906, collect dogs from stations daily except on Sundays. Many dogs are claimed by their owners whilst at the police station, but no precise 45W figures are readily available. In 1951, 18,517 dogs were sent to the two dogs' homes where they are kept for at least seven days 3,967 were restored to their owners, 10,441 were destroyed by an electrical process and the remainder were sold by the homes. Bitches in season are given separate accommodation at both stations and the homes and biscuits and water for dogs are provided at all police stations.