§ Mr. Colin ShepherdTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the implications for local authorities of the provisions on dog control in the Environmental Protection Act 1990; and when he proposes to bring the new measures into effect.
§ Mr. BaldryThe measures proposed in the "Action on Dogs" consultation paper published by my Department last year were widely welcomed by local authorities. They have now been incorporated in the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The Act places duties on district councils and London boroughs to collect and detain stray dogs, to return them to their owners or find them a suitable home or have them humanely destroyed if necessary and to enforce the existing requirement to wear a collar and tag in a public place. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has also announced more flexible powers to make byelaws to prevent dog fouling and to control dogs in certain public areas.
In view of the widespread public concern about straying and fouling we want to encourage local authorities to act on these provisions as soon as possible. Many authorities already employ dog wardens and I would encourage others to follow their example and make greater use of their existing powers. We will be holding discussions with the local authority associations and other interested parties about the timing and additional resource implications of implementing the new duties and powers.