Written question asked by Lynne Jones (Labour) on Monday, 10 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 January 2005. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 January 2005 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many sniffer dogs have been used by the police and security services in each of the last five years; and how many of these animals have died prematurely whilst in service. - Inc figures.

Answer: Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sniffer dogs have been used by the police and security services in each of the last five years; and how many of these animals have died prematurely while in service. [208244] Caroline Flint: The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) informs me that approximately 2,220 police dogs were in service at the end of 2004. 134 police dogs were retired during that year, and 26 died prematurely while in service. Information is not available for previous years. It has been the policy of successive Governments to neither confirm nor deny questions concerning the activities of the security and intelligence services.

Secondary information