HC Deb 01 February 1990 vol 166 cc243-4W
Mr. Marlow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the measures the Government have introduced over the last five years, including their geographical application, concerning the control of dog nuisance; and if he will set out the Government's future proposals and the time scale for their implementation.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

As to measures introduced over the last five years, these are as follows:

  1. (i) In 1987 revised model byelaws for dog control and the control of dog fouling in England and Wales were issued by the Home Office, including a new model byelaw requiring dog owners to clear up after their dogs in certain areas ("poop-scoop byelaws").
  2. (ii) Section 39 of the Local Government Act 1988 gave duly authorised officers of local authorities in England and Wales powers to seize, detain and dispose of stray dogs.
  3. (iii) The Dangerous Dogs Act 1989 includes provisions which strengthen the existing legislation relating to the control of dangerous dogs in England, Scotland and Wales.

As to future proposals, the Environmental Protection Bill includes a new duty on local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to keep public land clear of litter and refuse—the term "refuse" for this part of the Bill can, by order of the Secretary of State, include canine faeces. In 1989 consultation papers entitled "Action on Dogs" were issued both for Scotland and for England and Wales. These set out various proposals for the control of dogs including in particular a new duty on local authorities to collect up and deal with stray dogs.

Copies of both these consultation papers have been placed in the House of Commons Library. We are considering how to take forward the proposals contained in them.