Animal activists are working with the Environment Ministry to find "common ground" on the dangerous dog ban, said Permanent Secretary Brian Rowlinson

But the life of a Pitt Bull cross puppy featured in a story in The Royal Gazette on Monday still hangs in the balance.

The puppy is deemed a dangerous breed by the dog ban. Under the legislation she cannot be issued a licence and may have to be put to death by the SPCA.

Pitt Bulls and their crosses, along with a handful of other dogs made their way into Government legislation that banned licences and import permits on certain breeds of dogs.

Illegally bred dogs, regardless of breed, can be put down although a suitable home is sought first, said Mr. Rowlinson.

But some breeds on the dog ban list are immediately euthanised as they are considered aggressive dogs that cannot be adopted.

Animal lovers have protested this stipulation saying innocent animals are being destroyed without reason and that young dogs of any breed can be successfully socialised.

The department is reviewing the ban and Mr. Rowlinson said dog activists including veterinarians and dog clubs have made written submissions.

"It is a very emotive issue and it requires common ground," he said.

Although the department is looking to refine the policy, Mr. Rowlinson said he did not want to suggest the ban would be lifted.

The ban was made necessary due to an upsurge in importation of breeds known to be vicious, he said.

"We suddenly saw a change in importation to some pretty nasty animals... it looked as if Pitt Bulls were going out of fashion and something bigger and nastier was being sought."

The policy is intended to protect people, he said, and referred to an attack on veterinarian Maureen Ware-Cieters who was savagely bitten by a Mastiff cross in September.

"A large number of jurisdictions have brought in dangerous dog bans including the UK, France, Germany and some states in the US."