Owners of restricted dog breeds joined together for a peaceful walk around Hamilton’s Queen Elizabeth II Park to allow members of the public to meet their pets.

The Royal Gazette photographer and proud pit bull owner Mark Tatem said Saturday’s walk, organised by the group Our Misunderstood, was “not a protest against anything — we just hope that the authorities will take another look at breed-specific laws”.

Along with four pit bulls, a Doberman Pinscher, a Pointer, a Rhodesian Ridgeback and a German Shepherd-pit bull mix enjoyed the outing, with about 150 people stopping by to pick up information sheets.

“The main thing were’s hoping to get across is that it’s not about the breed,” Mr Tatem explained.

“Any breed has the tools to be dangerous, but a dog is only as dangerous as the person on the end of its leash. At the end of the day, it’s about responsible ownership and knowing the capabilities of your animal.”

The group thanked the pet store Noah’s Ark for donating goodie bags for dogs, and hopes to hold more awareness forums in the future.