§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the estimated financial cost to farmers in West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Yorkshire and England as a whole, as a result of damage and destruction of livestock by dogs for the years 1979, 1980 and 1981; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerNo estimates are available. My Department's continuing publicity on the commonsense preventive measures that can be taken by dog owners has recently been reinforced by the issue of a new advisory poster. Existing legislation has been strengthened by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which imposes a specific responsibility upon owners to control their dogs when in the vicinity of sheep.