dismissed by a Government Minister.

Youth and Sport Minister John Barritt spoke out after Opposition MP Renee Webb raised complaints from a constituent in the House of Assembly.

Ms Webb said a visitor to Paget Island -- one of several Government camp sites -- had complained about a Doberman running loose.

But Mr. Barritt said the dog was the pet of the campsite caretaker and was not a danger to the public. He added that anyone who wanted to camp on or visit Paget Island had to get permission from the Ministry first.

Mr. Barritt said: "The caretaker is very careful to keep his dog under lock and key in a kennel at all times when campers or visitors are scheduled to be on the island.'' He added: "The incident to which Ms Webb referred was not a case of the dog being loose -- it was out for a walk with its owner.

"The dog and its owner spotted four unexpected visitors and the dog ran up to them, in the way dogs do. The caretaker advised the visitors that they really should have let the Department know they were coming, collected his dog and moved on.

"That was the extent of it. The dog was not menacing in any way, as I understand it.'' Mr. Barritt said policy was that -- although Paget Island was open to the public -- anyone who wanted to visit had to ask the Department first.

He explained: "The reason for this policy is not to prevent people from using the Island, but to make sure that we know who our clients are and that we provide for their needs, safety and comfort as well as we can while they are with us.'' And he insisted: "The public should not in any way be intimidated by this report. The caretaker's pet dog is no threat to anyone. The only thing I would ask is that people obey the rules and call the Department when they want to visit or camp out.'' ANIMALS ALS