Blame owner, not the dog

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter to the Editor adding my voice to the numerous voices against the current breed specific ban that was imposed on July 21, 2003.

In a Ministerial Statement on the above mentioned date, the previous Minister of the Environment, the Hon. Min. Dennis Lister J.P. M.P. states: ?Officers of the Department of Environmental Protection brought to my attention their concerns over the number of applications to import dogs that were of large breeds and potentially dangerous.? The breeds that were banned was listed as, ?pit bull terriers, Saffordshire terriers, several of the mastiff breeds including the Cane corsas, Presa Canario, Japanese Tosa, Boerboel, Argentine mastiff (Dogo), Brazilian Mastiff (Fila), Australian Dingo, Akita; and crossbreeds thereof.? On the government website, www.animals.gov.bm, the breed of Rottweiler dogs was added to the list of banned dogs.

In the statement the Hon. Min. Mr. Lister ?directed the Department of Environmental Protection to implement new policies surrounding the importation of dogs and the issuing of breeding licenses for dogs? (the current ban) based on a combination of factors which were stated as:

(1) the Island?s population density

(2) the number of dogs in Bermuda

(3) the presence of dog fighting

(4) the potential for crossbreeding

(5) complaints received from members of the public about dogs.

The Hon. Minister also stated that these policies was ?a starting point for the better education of breeders, higher standard of animal care and a higher degree of public safety from animals that are potentially dangerous irrespective of the breed.?

In reference to the opening sentence concerning ?large breed and potentially dangerous dogs? on the banned list, in October of 2000 a baby was killed by a four pound Pomeranian in California. More recently, in February of 2002, a Jack Russell terrier mauled a six week old baby in Tennessee (www.thedogplace.com ? Dog bite statistics). Both are small breed dogs. Do we consider these breeds as ?potentially dangerous? dogs? Do we stop issuing breeders licenses and ban the future importation of these dogs? Most small ?terrier type? dogs were bred to be aggressive and fearless. Most constantly bark when you walk past their property. Why not ban these breed of dog also? I did some research and found that the Pit Bull was developed from the terrier group of dogs. (More support for the banning of small ?terrier type? dogs.)

Before the ban was put in place, I wonder if the following points were addressed.

(a) How many dogs are there in Bermuda? How many are large breed dogs?

(b) How many dog attacks have been reported to the Police or the Department of Environmental Protection?

(c) How many people are treated at King Edward Memorial Hospital on an annual basis for dog bites?

(d) What types of complaints did these members of the public make about these dogs (i.e. did they complain about loud dog barking, etc.)?

(e) What type of dog breeds are involved in reported incidents?

(f) How many people have been bitten by ?large and potentially dangerous breeds of dogs?.

(g) What is the percentage or number of ?large and potentially dangerous breeds of dogs? in reported incidents?

(h) What type of reports have been made about ?large and potentially dangerous breeds of dogs?? (Are persons merely making reports because a person is out walking his ?large and potentially dangerous dog? in public on a leash as required by law?

Can these facts be made public?

At 7 p.m. on November 20, 2003, the Kennel Clubs of Bermuda held a meeting at the Whitney Institute to discuss the dog ban. This was a meeting open to all members of the public and was published in . Did any member of Government attend this meeting in an official capacity to present more information on the Government?s view of the ban? Should I feel satisfied because you say that a large breed dog is ?potentially dangerous?? Any dog can be potentially dangerous (i.e. a Jack Russell terrier or a Pomeranian).

Where is the research conducted on dogs in Bermuda? Not on dogs in Germany, U.K., United States, Japan or Canada. What are the facts and figures for Bermuda? Why were these not presented at the time the ban was imposed? Were you only advised by officers from the Department of Environment Protection? Did you consult with the vets, dog breeders, Police, or any other persons that frequently interact with dogs? What did they say?

In you can read on a daily basis about break ins and burglaries from St. George?s to Somerset. A large breed dog is a great deterrent for would be thieves who would love to use your valuables for their benefit. Ask any person who owns one of these dogs about the last time someone decided to commit a break or burglary at their residence. Ask any woman who lives alone with a ?large and potentially dangerous breed of dog?, how safe do you feel?

The dog amendment act has a section that supports dogs and owners for when a dog bites a person whose acts are deemed criminal in nature. In this time of rising crime fuelled by drugs must I hope that my house is never broken into? Must that single woman hope that her house is never broken into? Must I hope that my privacy is never invaded?

In addition most people who own large breed dogs (aside from some owners of the pit-bull variety) are very responsible law abiding dog owners. So why must we suffer for the irresponsibility of a few. Is that fair? In a society of Bermuda?s size the identification of the irresponsible dog owners should not be a problem. As a matter of fact, most responsible breeders and dog owners would assist in the identification of those who would wish to use a dog for illegal purposes.

To the current Minister of the Environment, the Hon. Min. Neleatha Butterfield JP. M.P., I understand that you have inherited these policies as you were recently appointed to your post, but I wish for a speedy resolution of this matter and the removal of this ban. It does to solve the problem ? it only alienates those who can help solve the problem.

Lastly, any dog can be turned into a dangerous dog. The owner is most often responsible ? not the breed, and not the dog.

An irresponsible owner or handler creates a situation that places another person in danger by a dog, without the dog itself being dangerous.

Any dog can be a good loving pet, even though its breed is considered to be likely to bite. A responsible owner can win the love and respect of a dog no matter its breed. No one can look at any breed of dog and then say that it is dangerous. The problem is with owners not with the dogs.

A lover of ?Large and Potentially Dangerous Dogs? and a responsible dog owner.

CALVIN THOMAS

Huntsville, Alabama