§ Mr. Crouchasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to introduce legislation to give the police increased powers for the capture and extermination of stray dogs involved in the killing and maiming of sheep; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 already provides for the seizure and disposal of dogs which have been worrying livestock. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (schedule 6, paragraph 7) has, with effect from 1 January 1986, added to police powers under the 1953 Act by providing justices of the peace with power to issue a warrant authorising the police to enter and search premises in order to identify a dog suspected of worrying sheep or other livestock.