HC Deb 23 May 1991 vol 191 cc567-8W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will introduce legislation requiring those persons owning certain breeds of dogs to obtain third-party insurance; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will introduce legislation enabling American pit bull terriers to be humanely destroyed; and if he will make a statement;

(3) if he will bring forward proposals to add American pit bull terriers and Japanese tosas to the list of dangerous animals specified under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976; and if he will make a statement;

(4) if he will bring forward proposals to amend the Dangerous Dogs Act 1989 to make owners liable to prosecution even if a dog is put down after an attack; and if he will make a statement;

(5) if he will introduce legislation requiring owners of certain breeds of dogs to have their dogs on a short chain lead and muzzled whenever in a public place; and if he will make a statement;

(6) if he will introduce legislation banning the breeding within the United Kingdom of fighting dogs, including American pit bull terriers; and if he will make a statement;

(7) what legislation he proposes to introduce concerning dangerous dogs; and if he will make a statement;

(8) if he will introduce a ban into the United Kingdom on the import and export of fighting dogs, including American pit bull terriers; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Marek

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ban with immediate effect the import of pit bull terrier and tosa dogs.

Ms. Rumbold

I refer the hon. Member to the statement that my right hon. Friend made in the House on Wednesday 22 May at columns 945–46.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the arrangements for those attacked and injured by dogs to apply to the criminal injuries compensation scheme for compensation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

The board can entertain applications from victims of attacks by dogs or other animals where a crime of violence has been committed, for example, where a dog has been deliberately set on the victim.