§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated number of livestock killed by dogs during the last 12 months, in Wales; what were the corresponding figures for the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsStatistics of livestock reported killed by dogs ceased to be kept centrally after 1978. The figure for that year was 1,916, and for 1977 it was 2,042. My Department will continue to give publicity to this serious problem, particularly during the period before lambing. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 imposes a specific responsibility on owners to control their dogs when in the vicinity of sheep.