Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Martin Linton (Labour). It was answered on Thursday, 4 February 2010 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dangerous Dogs

Question: My hon. Friend saw during his visit to Battersea that almost half of all the dogs that are admitted are Staffies or Bull-breed crosses. Most have to be put down even though they are of sound temperament, because back-street breeders are selling puppies in pubs—often to complete strangers—for £250. Does he accept that the dog control laws are no longer fit for purpose, and will he institute a review looking not only at the Bateson report, but at compulsory microchipping, a minimum age for dog ownership and some form of registration for breeders?

Answer: I cannot agree to the call for a review, because I understand that that has formal implications in respect of the procedures of the House, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the Bateson report will inform Government policy on this important issue. Recent tragic attacks have demonstrated that these very dangerous dogs still present a danger in ordinary people's homes, so we do need to look at the issue, and I agree with my hon. Friend that the Bateson report gives us an opportunity to do so.

Secondary information