§ 20. Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to change the law with regard to the disposal of confiscated animals; and if he will make a statement. [11285]
§ Mrs. BrowningUnder the Protection of Animals Act 1911, as amended, the police have powers to remove animals, pending a prosecution for cruelty offences, or to require an animal to be slaughtered where a veterinary surgeon has certified that it would be cruel to keep it alive.
The Act also empowers courts, on conviction for cruelty offences, to order the disposal of an animal if they are satisfied that it would be cruel to keep it alive, or to deprive the person convicted and to make orders as to the disposal of the animals concerned.
We have no plans at present to introduce changes to this legislation.