Written question asked by Lord Beamish (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 January 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 January 2012. It was answered by Lord Robathan (Conservative) on Monday, 6 February 2012 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces: Animals

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 24 January 2012, Official Report, column 178W, on animals: euthanasia, what local contracts his Department uses for the disposal of bodies of working military animals.

Answer: [holding answer 30 January 2012]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 January 2012, Official Report, column 178W. The Ministry of Defence only ever puts down military working animals as a last resort because it has been judged unsafe to re-home the animal or where veterinary reasons indicate that re-homing would conflict with the animal's welfare. Where this proves necessary the animal is put down humanely.The bodies of deceased military working dogs and horses at the Defence Animal Centre are disposed of via a contract with Nottingham University Veterinary School. This contract covers the majority of military working animals that are put down.In addition, there are around 90 veterinary practices in the UK that are contracted to dispose of military working animals should the need arise.In Germany and Cyprus military working animals are normally put down by military veterinarians and then disposed of through local contract arrangements. In the Falkland Islands deceased military working animals are buried by service personnel at a site set aside for that purpose.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 92634; 540 c15W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Animals: Euthanasia
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Written questions
House of Commons; Armed Forces: Animals
Friday, 5 December 2014
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Armed forces Animals
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk