HC Deb 08 May 2002 vol 385 cc163-4W
Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost to the taxpayer of keeping dogs under the provisions of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 has been in the last 12 months. [54522]

Mr. Morley

There are no centralised records of figures or costs of dogs held, by all police forces, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (as amended). However the Metropolitan police, who hold the largest number of dogs under the 1991 Act, have informed us that the cost for holding such dogs in their area for the last 12 months was £280,030.10.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average length of time dogs have been held by the police under the provisions of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was. [54524]

Mr. Morley

There are no centralised records of figures or costs of dogs held, by all police forces, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (as amended). However, the Metropolitan police, who hold the largest number of dogs under the 1991 Act, have informed us that the average length of time for a dog to be held in their area since 1991 is 418 days, but for the one year 2001–02 the average was 51 days.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to review the terms of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. [54576]

Mr. Morley

There are no plans to review the 1991 Act.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many dogs are held by the Metropolitan police service under the provisions of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. [54575]

Mr. Morley

The Metropolitan police are currently holding 34 dogs under the 1991 Act.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what has been the total cost of keeping dogs under the provisions of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. [54523]

Mr. Morley

There are no centralised records of figures or costs of dogs held, by all police forces, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (as amended). However, the Metropolitan police, who hold the largest number of dogs under the 1991 Act, have informed us that the total cost within the Metropolitan police of holding dogs under the 1991 Act since it came into force is £4,567,692.36.

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