Written question asked by Ruth Jones (Labour) on Friday, 20 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 February 2026. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Thursday, 26 February 2026 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, what assessment she has made of the financial costs to police forces of current waiting times in securing Section 20 hearings for dogs seized under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Answer: Defra does not collect data on the financial costs to police forces associated with waiting times for Section 20 hearings under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, nor does it hold records on the number of dogs seized under Section 18(5) of the Act, or the length of time such dogs are held in dog homes or council facilities. These matters are operational responsibilities of police forces and local authorities, and any relevant information would be held by those bodies.

Secondary information