§ 89. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture if, following his consultations with the National Farmers' Union, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other interested bodies, he has decided to take further measures to check sheep worrying by dogs.
§ Mr. G. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any further proposals to announce for bringing sheep worrying by dogs under control.
§ Sir T. DugdaleIn the consultations which, as the House knows, I have been having with representatives of farmers, local authorities and animal welfare societies in England and Wales and Scotland, a number of steps that might be taken to check sheep worrying by dogs have been very fully considered. Unfortunately most of the proposals considered would involve legislation and there is at present no prospect of the 177W Government being able to introduce legislation on the subject. But I would stress that no legislative measures can by themselves provide a complete solution to these problems and the difficulties about legislation at the present time do not mean that nothing can be done.
The organisations which I have consulted have referred to the large number of stray, ownerless or uncared for dogs which undoubtedly do much damage to livestock. I hope that the police in areas where livestock are kept will, so far as their other duties permit, make a special effort to round up such dogs.
The serious damage that may be caused by even a playful dog is not yet sufficiently realised by the public generally. The animal welfare societies and the farmers' unions have assured me that they will continue the valuable work that they have been doing in bringing home to dog owners the losses that their dogs may cause if not prevented from worrying livestock. The Agricultural Departments will also continue to give publicity to this matter.
I appeal to all dog owners to cooperate in preventing the suffering and loss of food that is caused by attacks on farm livestock.