Breed ban overhaul changes way dogs are classified

FRIDAY DEC. 30: A major overhaul of the way dogs are classified in Bermuda has been approved by Government.

The new regulations will see previously banned breeds such as Rottweilers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers placed in a new ‘restricted’ category and subject to additional conditions for keeping, licensing and breeding.

Pit Bulls and American Bulldogs will remain on a ‘prohibited’ list that includes a total of 12 breeds.

While breeds such as Dobermans, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and German Shepherds, which were never on the banned list, have now been placed in the restricted category.

The three-category approach of prohibited, restricted and non-restricted was first put forward by the Canine Advisory Committee last year.

Yesterday Environmental Minister Marc Bean said that although the original dog ban had achieved good results in reducing the number of biting incidents it had also penalized responsible owners.

He said: “A Canine Advisory Committee will be maintained to act as the review board for any applications pertaining to the keeping or breeding of restricted breeds. The Committee will monitor the modification of the restricted policy closely and report on the performance of that policy to the Minister semi-annually for the next three years.”

Under the new regulations ‘restricted’ dogs have to be kept in an escape-proof enclosure no less than 60 square feet and cannot be tied on the property.

Anyone wishing to own a restricted breed must also apply to have their property inspected to make sure they meet the requirements before getting the dog.

Jack Castle, who has been forced to breed his Rottweilers in California as a result of the original dog ban, welcomed the change.

He told the Sun: “I am very excited about this move. It has been a long time coming — we have been campaigning for this for more than eight years.

“I now believe we have to start moving forward and doing more to educate people about dogs.

“We need to get involved with schools and help children understand dogs and different breeds.”

Vet Andrew Madeiros, who was part of the Canine Advisory Committee, added: “This is a progressive look at the breed ban issue and represents an easing of the ban without relinquishing some of the positives achieved by the original ban.

“It shifts the responsibility on to the owners and should represent a better level of care over all for Bermuda’s dogs.

“If people behave responsibly we may be able to move more dogs off the restricted list in the future.

“It will require a commitment for increased policing by the animal wardens. If people who break the law are dealt with swiftly and appropriately the message should get out that they mean business.”

Prohibited Breeds 

American Pit Bull Terrier    

American Bulldog     

American Staffordshire Terrier      

Argentine mastiff (Dogo Argentino)          

Boerboel        

Brazilian Mastiff (Fila)         

Cane Corso    

Presa Canario           

Neapolitan Mastiff   

Tosa Inu        

Wolf   

Wolf Hybrid  

Any Cross of the above        

Restricted Breeds

Akita

Australian Cattle Dog

Belgian Malinois

Bouvier Des Flandres

Bull Terrier

Bullmastiff

Chow Chow

Doberman Pinscher

Dog De Bordeaux

German Shepherd

Mastiff – English

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Rottweiler

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Any Cross of the above