Oral Answers to Questions

Oliver Heald Excerpts

Tuesday 6th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

And doubtless with the right hon. and learned Member for North East Hertfordshire (Sir Oliver Heald).

[Sir Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire) (Con)]

I am very grateful to the Minister for that kind offer. I just make the point that there is a gap in the law. There are legal difficulties with prosecuting under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, because of the drafting of section 4. Prosecuting for criminal damage means that the value of the animal determines the sentence. However, a police dog like Finn, who was eight years old, is not worth much money—he is of course invaluable to PC Dave Wardell and the country’s police enforcement efforts, but he is not worth a lot of money. I am therefore grateful that the Minister will to talk to us about this issue.

[Mr Speaker]

Perhaps we could have an Adjournment debate about Finn, if the right hon. and learned Gentleman has not already procured such.

[Sir Oliver Heald]

I have already done that, Mr Speaker, and I have a ten-minute rule Bill as well.

[Mr Speaker]

Very well done. The right hon. and learned Gentleman is obviously ahead of events. I was enjoying the family history he was educating us on just now.