§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many convictions for offences under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 were recorded in courts in England and Wales during the most recent two years for which figures are available; and:
How many prosecutions for offences against the Protection of Animals Act 1911 were brought before courts in England and Wales by the police during the most recent two years for which figures are available.
§ Lord BelsteadThe records available to me show 809 persons proceeded against in England and Wales in 1980 for offences under the Protection of Animals Act 1911, 390 of whom were proceeded against by the police, and 719 of whom were found guilty. Corresponding figures for 1979 were 669 proceeded against of whom 598 were found guilty; the number proceeded against by the police could be provided only at disproprotionate cost. The information on proceedings brought other than by the police may be incomplete.