December 1, 2011Dear Sir,I have to agree with the letter of today from “Paget” about the dog ban. As an international traveller and resident for many years in the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain I find it extraordinary that Bermuda has scored an own goal by this unsubstantiated ban. My dogs, all rescued, have travelled in and out of the UK to the Middle East and back, and to Europe.It must be remembered that DEFRA in the UK was forced to study this issue not only by public pressure but by the then-Governor of Hong Kong, in whose jurisdiction now lies the defunct and much missed Bank of Bermuda, now HSBC.His two dogs Whiskey and Soda were taken to France on the end of his tenure in 1997 while the situation was sorted out and the absurd and outdated worries about rabies were proved to be baseless.Bermuda needs international business men to help develop and bring the Island out of this troubled time and they, on arriving here, are likely to have children and family animals. If the UK with its world-class animal care skills, universities and experts deem that properly checked animals from countries like Bahrain and Saudi Arabia can get to the UK, under what premise can an “expert” from Bermuda be allowed to tell them they are incorrect?As an Overseas Territory, Bermuda is deemed to accept the UK authority on some matters and you have many more important matters to attend to than this ridiculous ban.With dog rescue centres in Bermuda full of Pitbulls and other dangerous dogs coupled to gang culture it is correct to allow UK-based staff to bring their animals here, especially dogs to the Island. Dogs bring a sense of well being, family values and harmony and Bermuda should not be allowed to make arbitrary decisions based on flawed evidence and prejudice.THOMAS KELLYTunbridge Wells, UK