June 6, 2012Dear Sir,I would like to use this media to ask (Minister of Environment, Planning & Infrastructure Strategy) Marc Bean to reconsider lifting the ban on pit bulls and other breeds considered dangerous. I ask this, not because I do not like these dogs, as I love the pit bull and personally know that they have many wonderful characteristics. However, our laws on animal health and care apparently follow England’s laws, which are totally antiquated. The accepted care of these animals is so basic as to be outright cruel. These dogs need to be cared for properly and they need a lot of love and training and many of the people who want these types of dogs do not have the knowledge, or, for some, the inclination to put the effort needed into nurturing a safe animal. Because of our basic laws, many animals on this island do not receive the care that they should have. So long as they get water on a reasonably regular basis, aren’t out in the sun all day and aren’t a nuisance, they can remain tied up and basically ignored for their entire lives. I can’t even get into the “lower than life” who want these dogs to fight and the way they are treated.The SPCA does not have the powers it needs to aid and prevent, and the penalties for those who are bought to court are a fly swat. Even with the current ban on dangerous dogs, there are people who own unneutered and unspayed pit bulls and neither the dog wardens nor the SPCA seem to have the power to enforce this, and these procedures should be enforced. Registering animals should be up to date. If a person gives or sells their animal to another person they must make sure that the registration is changed with the new owner’s information; something similar to what we have when we resell our cars. If an animal is found loose in an unacceptable condition, the penalty will lie with the current person registered as owner. Mr Bean, please work on getting better laws in place and better care for the animals we have. Enforce the neutering and spaying, and get truly stiff penalties for those who break laws and mistreat any animal. If we can do these things then I would happily support lifting a ban. We have heard stories of other animals being harmed or killed, and I know some people will not think that that is enough reason to continue the ban, simple because it is ‘just’ other animals. Losing a pet that you love is the same as losing a family member, not to mention that no living thing should have to die like that, but with lifting the ban, as is, there will be more attacks and it will only be a matter of time before it will be a person/child.DEBRA FPaget