§ Mr. FraserTo 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. SainsburyA 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.