§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What right of entry by the police exists to land and premises (including a dwelling-house) where there are grounds for believing that cruelty is being inflicted on animals in contravention of the Protection of Animals Act 1911.
The Earl of CaithnessThe Protection of Animals Act 1911 does not give the police a general power to enter private land or premises when investigating allegations of cruelty to animals. But Section 5(2) provides that a constable shall have a right to enter any knacker's yard at any hour by day, or at any hour when business is, or apparently is, in progress or is usually carried on therein, for the purpose of investigating possible offences under the Act. There are police powers of entry provided under Section 47 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839, and also Section 36 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, to premises kept or used for the purposes of fighting, baiting or worrying animals.