§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement as to what steps he is taking to seek to increase the penalties for those found guilty of offences involving dog fighting.
§ Mr. MellorThe Government share the public abhorrence of all acts of cruelty against domestic and captive animals. The sentence to be imposed in any particular case is a matter for the court concerned and not one in which it would be proper for the Government to intervene. We keep under review the maximum level of the penalties provided for offences under the present law, and are looking at the matter again in the context of a Bill proposed by my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Greenway).