§ Mr. Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the methods currently adopted by local authorities to control dogs, in particular by the use of their own licensing system; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoynihanThere is a range of powers available to local authorities to control dogs and dog nuisance by means of byelaws or orders. For example, dogs can be banned from certain areas or required to be kept on a lead on certain roads. Authorities may also provide a dog warden service; I understand that some 200 do so. It is for each authority to decide the extent to which it uses these powers.
Although authorities are responsible for issuing licences and keeping registers of licence holders, they do not have separate licensing systems.