HC Deb 14 December 1979 vol 975 c819W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many stray dogs have had to be destroyed in each of the last five years.

Mr. Fox

No central records are kept. However, estimates made by the interdepartmental working party on dogs suggest that about 30 per cent. of strays handled by the police, or about 60,000 dogs, are destroyed every year.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local area authorities now have dog wardens.

Mr. Fox

No information is kept centrally. In 1977 the joint advisory committee on pets in society carried out a survey of local authorities in the United Kingdom which indicated that about 80 local authorities had dog wardens.