§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in respect of section 1 of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 arguing for an extension of the clause beyond domestic and captive animals.
§ Mr. MellorNo central record is kept, but we receive a number of representations on this matter from hon. Members and others, from time to time.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been brought under section 1 of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 in the last five years in respect of hedgehogs; and how many have resulted in conviction.
§ Mr. MellorThis information is not available centrally.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend section 1 of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 to cover animals other than domestic and captive.
§ Mr. MellorWe do not have any plans for legislation to extend the scope of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 339W to include wild animals. However, there are other statutes which provide protection for particular species, for example, deer and badgers. The course which the Government adopted in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 was to give special protection and to extend it where appropriate to certain species which were thought to be in need of it.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the present law protecting animals as it relates to preventing cruelty to hedgehogs; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorWe do not have any plans to extend the scope of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 to include wild animals. Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 contains restrictions on the killing of hedgehogs.