§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware that printed notices have been erected in some sheep farming areas stating that the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it illegal for a person to have a dog in a field or enclosure in which there are sheep unless the dog is on a lead; whether they will confirm that these notices are wrong and that the law is that (subject to specified exceptions) a dog in such a field or enclosure must be either "on a lead or otherwise under close control"; and whether they will draw the attention of the 873WA Countryside Commission, the national park authorities, the National Farmers' Union and other interested organisations to the importance of not including inaccurate statements in any notices purporting to set out the provisons of paragraph 3 of Schedule 7 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Earl FerrersI can confirm that the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, as amended by paragraph 3 of Schedule 7 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, makes it an offence, subject to certain specified exceptions, for a dog to be in a field or enclosure in which there are sheep unless it is on a lead or otherwise under close control. Preliminary inquiries have not established evidence of notices having been erected which do not accurately reflect this provision. If the noble Lord would send me relevant details, I will arrange for these to be drawn to the attention of the responsible organisation or individual by local staff of the Ministry.