Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance his Department has given to local authorities to prevent dog attacks on (a) domestic pets, (b) livestock and (c) wild animals.

Earlier this year, my department provided local authorities and the police with guidance which reminded them of the measures and powers they have in order both to prevent and to deal with dangerous dog attacks. These measures include the ability to issue Community Protection Notices to individuals whose dogs are causing low level nuisance, and hence to intervene before a dog becomes dangerous. Other measures include using the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 where a dog is considered to be dangerously out of control, in any place. The guidance, as with the measures, apply regardless as to whether the dog has attacked pets, livestock or wild animals. My officials have also confirmed with the National Police Chief Constables Livestock Offences Group that the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 can be used in cases of attacks on other dogs or other animals, regardless as to whether a person was present.