§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received concerning legislation for control of dogs; what replies he has sent; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there is any action he will be taking in response to the increasingly frequent reports of serious attacks on children and others by dogs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what immediate action he is taking to deal with attacks by Rottweilers on people and animals.
§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will introduce measures to ensure that dogs with inborn aggressive tendencies must wear muzzles when in public places;
(2) if he will introduce measures to ensure that all dogs must be kept on a lead when in public places.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there is any action he will be taking in response to the increasingly frequent reports of serious attacks on children and others by dogs; if he intends to use the statutory powers that may alleviate the problem; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe have received about 55 representations and are examining the possibility of strengthening the legislation on dangerous dogs.
§ Mr. David YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ban Rottweilers as domestic pets or from being held on domestic premises.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI am not persuaded that a ban would be the right answer, but we are examining the possibility of strengthening the legislation on dangerous dogs.
§ Mr. David YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make it his policy to ban Rottweilers and other dogs bred for fighting from being kept in domestic premises or as domestic pets, without the express permission of the police;
(2) what action he intends to take to deal with the problem of violent dogs and the environmental problems caused by neglected dogs.
§ Mr. Douglas Hogg[holding answer 6 June 1989]: The Government are examining the possibility of strengthening the legislation on dangerous dogs.