§ 51. Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to introduce legislation to prohibit those who have been convicted of badger baiting or the illegal destruction of badger sets from being allowed to own dogs.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggBadger baiting is an offence under the Protection of Animals Act 1911. A court may disqualify someone from having custody of any animal on a second or subsequent conviction for any offence of cruelty under the 1911 Act. The Protection of Animals (Amendment) Bill, which the Government are supporting. seeks to make such disqualification available on first conviction.
The Criminal Justice Bill currently before Parliament will also empower the court on conviction of any offence to order the forfeiture of any property (which could include an animal) used in the commission of the offence.