Domestic Animals: Welfare

Baroness Butler-Sloss Excerpts
Monday 16th December 2024

(2 days, 14 hours ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Hayman of Ullock Portrait Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
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Clearly, dog fighting should not be taking place in this country. We are extremely keen to root it out where it is happening, and it is matter for Defra and the Home Office to work on together to ensure that, where it is found, it is properly cracked down on.

Baroness Butler-Sloss Portrait Baroness Butler-Sloss (CB)
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People remain in danger from and are occasionally killed by dangerous animals. Are the Government satisfied that the current law is sufficient?

Baroness Hayman of Ullock Portrait Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
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Ongoing attacks show that we need to do more to protect the public from dangerous dogs. There has of course been a ban on XL bullies, which has been updated recently. That is there to protect public safety, and we expect owners to comply with all the conditions in that legislation. More broadly, we are working with enforcement agencies and animal welfare groups to help prevent further attacks by encouraging responsible dog ownership, addressing dog control issues before they escalate and using the full force of the law where needed.