The emotionally charged national debate on the legitimacy of restricted dogs such as pit bulls has been acknowledged by Jeanne Atherden, the Minister of Health, Seniors and Environment.

But the Department of Environmental Protection cannot offer to export seized dogs from the Island once they are in custody.

Seized animals have been the subject of break-ins and attempted break-ins at the kennel facilities, and owners have even camped outside — but Ms Atherden said it was “simply impractical and unworkable” to offer to send impounded dogs overseas.

“The issue of restricted and prohibited breeds of dogs is an emotive one,” Ms Atherden told MPs, saying that when a person was found to own a prohibited breed of dog, there was no objection to the animal being exported before the Department was involved. No permission would be required.

But she said that offering to export would only burden the public purse with caring for an animal, potentially for weeks, while a new home was found, while prolonged kennelling inflicted stress on the dogs. Ms Atherden added that Government bore some responsibility when sending a potentially dangerous dog to a new home.

Receiving illegal animals remains an offence, the minister said, and expenses incurred by Government were caused by “the offender’s choice to acquire an illegal dog, yet are not recoverable from the offender”.

The issue came up last week after authorities put down two pit bulls that had been seized.

Ms Atherden appeared to refer to the matter as “recent events”, but said it remained under investigation and could not be commented on.

• For the full ministerial statement, click on the PDF link under “Related Media”.