Written question asked by Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 7 June 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 12 June 2018 (named day). It was answered by George Eustice (Conservative) on Tuesday, 12 June 2018 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dogs: Animal Welfare

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many fines for illegal tail docking have been issued in each year since the introduction of the ban in 2007.

Answer

The number of fines issued for illegal tail docking between 2007 and 2017 can be found in the table.

The number of offenders convicted and sentenced for illegal tail docking, 2007 to 2017⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
Convicted	3	30	17	11	9	17	1	2	2	0	1
Sentenced	3	30	17	11	9	17	1	2	2	0	1
Absolute Discharge	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
Conditional Discharge	2	7	6	2	5	3	0	1	0	0	0
Fines	1	18	9	5	3	5	1	1	1	0	0
Community Sentence	0	2	1	2	1	7	0	0	0	0	1
Suspended Sentence	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
Immediate Custody	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Compensation	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Otherwise Dealt With	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice.
Ref: PQ 151128
(1) The figures given in the table relate to defendants for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
(2) Includes males, females, persons where sex "Not Stated" and other offenders, i.e. companies, public bodies, etc.

Secondary information