§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any evidence that the provisions of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 reduces the incidence of organised dog fighting for sport.
§ Mr. MellorThe provisions of the Protection of Animals Act 1911, which make dog fighting unlawful, were originally enacted in the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Animals etc. Act 1835 and subsequently consolidated in the 1911 Act. Evidence of the scale of this activity before 1835 is not available, but there can be no doubt that these provisions have been effective in substantially eliminating this objectionable practice.