We plan to take forward measures from the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill individually through other means during the remainder of this Parliament.

Data on the number, and outcome, of recorded incidents of livestock worrying is held by individual police forces rather than centrally by Defra. The proposed ban on the use of electric shock collars controlled by hand-held devices, or e-collars, in England was developed after considering a broad range of factors, including the impact of a ban. When considered alongside the academic research, the public consultation responses, and direct engagement with the sector, the Government concluded that e-collars present an unacceptable risk to the welfare of dogs and cats and that their use should not be permitted.

The Government takes the issue of livestock worrying very seriously, recognising the distress this can cause farmers and animals, as well as the financial implications. New measures to crack down on livestock worrying in England and Wales are to be brought in through the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, which was introduced in Parliament on 8 June 2021.

Meanwhile we maintain that it is best practice to keep your dog on a lead around livestock. Natural England recently published a refreshed version of the Countryside Code, which highlights that it is best practice to keep dogs on a lead around livestock. The Code also makes specific reference to keeping dogs in sight and under control to make sure they stay away from livestock, wildlife, horses and other people unless invited. Moreover, the Code helpfully sets out certain legal requirements, encouraging visitors to always check local signs as there are locations where you must keep your dog on a lead around livestock for all or part of the year.

The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs includes guidance and reminders for owners about their responsibilities to provide for the welfare needs of their animal, but also to keep their dogs safe and under control. The code of practice is available here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/697953/pb13333-cop-dogs-091204.pdf

The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill was introduced in Parliament on 8 June. The Bill allows us to protect the welfare of pets by introducing restrictions to crack down on the low welfare movements of pets into Great Britain and includes powers to introduce new restrictions on pet travel and on the commercial import of pets on welfare grounds, via secondary legislation.

The Government launched a consultation on 21 August on our proposed restrictions to the commercial and non-commercial movement of pets into Great Britain, including our proposal to ban the commercial and non-commercial movement of puppies under the age of six months into Great Britain. We will take into account the views of the public and will continue to work closely with stakeholders to ensure that our final measures are well considered and are guided by the latest evidence.

The ban on commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens in England, also known as Lucy's Law, came into force in April 2020. Defra recognises that raising awareness of deceitful sellers is another integral step towards tackling low-welfare and illegal supply of puppies. That is why we launched the communications campaign "Petfished" in March 2020 to raise the public's awareness of the consequences of buying from a low-welfare seller and challenging the assumption that it is easy to spot bad practice. The campaign also signposts to resources available to help them make a good decision and source from responsible breeders or rehoming centres in the UK.

Anyone who sees a dog being advertised online with a suspected illegally docked tail should report the matter to the relevant local authority who have powers to investigate such matters under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The RSPCA can also investigate such matters.

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

The consultation closes on 27 April. It is normal practice to respond within three months.

Defra’s public consultation, launched on 12 March, on the proposal to introduce a ban on the use of electronic training collars includes anti-bark collars.

Military Working Dogs (MWD) provide an invaluable service to our troops, and every effort is made to rehome them at the end of their service life. Decisions are taken following an extensive assessment of the dogs and any potential new home. Sadly, there are some occasions where it is not possible to rehome, for example when the dog poses a risk to public safety. In such cases decisions are taken following a full assessment by military veterinarians and dog behaviourist experts.

Information relating to the number of MWDs rehomed since 2013 can be found in the table below. Information prior to this date is not held centrally.

Information on why MWDs are euthanised is not held in the format requested. For information on the reasons why MWDs have been euthanised since 2012 I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the then Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans (Mark Lancaster) to Question 66528 on 8 March 2017. Information regarding why MWDs have been euthanised since 6 March 2017 is provided in the table below.

^[1] All descriptions are based directly on veterinary records. Some dogs included in these categories will have not been suitable for rehoming based on behaviour and temperament, with potential consequences to public safety. The expression ‘failing to maintain standards’ can include a combination of welfare and behavioural issues.

Decisions to euthanise any animal in military service are only taken by a veterinarian officer after all possible treatment avenues have been exhausted and where it is considered to be the most humane option for the animal. The only other scenario where an animal would be euthanised is where it is considered to pose a risk to public safety.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the then Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, (Anna Soubry) on 24 November 2014 to Question 205235 and the answer I gave on 22 June 2015 to Question 2717; both to the hon. Member for North Durham (Kevan Jones). Information relating to dogs euthanised by the Ministry of Defence in each year since 2015 can be found below:

¹ The animal is not suitable for re-homing based on behaviour and temperament, with potential consequences for an individual’s welfare.