§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What information they have about the growth of illegal cruel sports in England and Wales with particular reference to cock-fighting, dog-fighting and badger-baiting.
§ Lord EltonSection 1(1)(c) of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 makes it an offence for any person to cause, procure or assist at the fighting or baiting of any domestic or captive animal. Numbers of those found guilty of such an offence are not available centrally. Although individual complaints are received from time to time, the Government have no evidence that there is any increase in these offences.