HC Deb 03 May 1991 vol 190 c364W
Mr. Fraser

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to introduce legislation to prevent the import of dangerous dogs.

Mr. Sainsbury

A ban on such imports would present serious practical difficulties because it would clearly be impossible to identify on import whether individual dogs would later prove dangerous; controls would thus have to focus on identifiable breeds but cross-breeding would allow evasion; and smuggling would be encouraged, so adding to the risk of rabies spreading into the United Kingdom. Dangerous dogs pose problems regardless of whether they are imported or domestically bred. A Home Office consultation paper published in June last year on "The Control of Dogs" sought views on a range of possible remedies. Responses are currently being considered before the Government announce their decisions.