Ministry Reminds Public: Pit Bulls Are Banned
[Updated] Following the decision to euthanize “Hershey” last week, Minister of Environment & Planning Sylvan Richards said he wished to remind the public that pitbulls are a prohibited breed in Bermuda, while the Ministry said there have been four pitbull attacks reported over the last six days.
A public campaign to save the dog’s life was launched and achieved support both on the island and overseas, with an online petition reaching approximately 2000 signatures just before the dog [pictured] was put down.
Ms Gina Davis, the mother of the family that owned Hershey, said they were willing to ship him overseas, but did not have the chance. The family received an email on Friday saying the dog had been put down.
“We were the ones who offered to send the dog overseas, they never responded,” said Ms Davis. “They never offered to us, we offered them, and they never got back to us.”
“In fact it was always our hope, that if nothing else, he could leave Bermuda. One reason for the petition to save his life,” said Ms Davis.
In a statement today [Dec 9] Minister Richards said, “The decision to euthanize the dog was made by the Department of Environmental Protection.
“I, as Minister of Environment and Planning support this decision as it is consistent with the department’s policy and within the powers prescribed under the Dogs Act 1978.
“Under current policy the Pitbull is a prohibited breed and regardless of ownership, the animal was unquestionably illegal.
“The public should be reminded that Pitbulls were placed on the banned list for a reason. While small breeds of dog can bite, it is the power and severity of a Pitbull attack that is the most concerning.
“It only takes one tragic incident involving a child and this would be a totally different conversation. As Minister this must be my concern.”
“The principle law of the Dogs Act 1978 is to not to allow continued ownership of an illegal dog in Bermuda,” explained the Minister.
“Therefore euthanization or possible relocation are the only two options available. Local adoption is not an option for an illegally bred and prohibited dog.
“To date relocation of an illegally bred dog has been offered three times in the last two years. One person took advantage of this export option whilst the other two declined.
“While I recognize that there may have been considerable public support to send this particular dog overseas, this is not a sustainable nor consistent policy.
“As such the department acted in a consistent and responsible manner in order to protect the public’s interest,” concluded Minister Richards.
Audio of the Minister’s comments on the topic on Friday:
A Ministry spokesperson added, “There have been attacks locally on animals and people by this breed and some of the offending Pitbulls have been reportedly, socialized, ‘family’ dogs.
“For instance over the last six days there have been four pitbull attacks reported while two people reported chasing and threatening behavior by a pitbull, and a female and her dog were attacked on the railway trail by a pitbull.
“Additionally, a family dog was attacked and killed by a ‘socialized’ family-pet Pitbull, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.”
We have asked how many dog attacks in total were reported, and will update as able.
Update: When asked how many dog attacks in total have been reported over the last six days, the Ministry said that all 4 attacks over the last 6 days were pitbulls.
Minister Sylvan Richards is totally correct in this situation. All the animal lovers out there need to understand the law and the responsibility for having a banned animal (should you have one). Furthermore, Ms. Davis should have been fined for having the dog (ignorance of the law is NO excuse and I do not believe that she did not know pitbulls were a banned breed) as well as the person who stole the dog along with his/her fine for the theft of the dog.
I did not want the dog put down either but I fully understand the circumstances, the law and the reasoning for putting the dog down.
I find your comment amusing. There are a lot of known dogs on this island that are illegal. Nothing is done. What about the amnesty last year! Illegal is illegal.
Why would it be amusing? I find my comment true and relevant. Yes their are many illegal dogs on the island and the authorities may turn a blind eye to it. However, when a situation arises, they act appropriately hence why I say If you have an illegal breed then you know what the consequences will be should you be caught with it.
Give the dept a call and ask them how many illegal dogs have been given back after a situation. Would we be having this convo if the dog was never stolen. Yes first owner had it illegally I don’t dispute that but there were other options. They could have fined her and given her amnesty. And followed up on where she got it from.
The Minister has the ability to safely hide behind a bad law and be well within his right. He chose to do so.
That doesn’t make it a good decision neither does it make it the right decision. Killing a dog based on breed is no more intelligent than harassing all black people people because some have committed criminal acts. These things must be examined on a case by case basis.
He had an opportunity to rectify a bad law, instead he chose to hide behind it and in the process, kill an innocent animal.
Who can agree that all pitbulls (or any other animal on the banned list) should be killed purely because of its breed?
It nonsensical, law or not.
Watch Pitbulls & Parolees on national geographic maybe they can do that. Dogs are gods creatures ..
You could say the same thing with marijuana or conscription laws in Bermuda
Except that marijuana is less likely to suddenly turn on a defenseless person and inflict horrible and perhaps fatal damage.
You are correct in saying that the Minister is safely hiding behind a bad law. The media has been attacking pitbulls for years to make good publishing. Before they made pits a pariah, they made Bloodhounds a blood thirsty killer. Pits are actually wonderful and tolerant dogs, second only to Golden Retrievers.
Also the minister’s comments on how they ban the Pitbulls because of their bite power and so on is absolute cowardice. Pitbulls have less bite power then German Shepherds and Rottweilers.
Pitbulls are only bad dogs because their owners teach and encourage that behavior and are fueled to do so by the media’s portrayal. If you put a Golden Retriever in the same situation, you will find the exact same story. With only five minutes of research I was able to find about 22 stories where a media outlet described a dog that attacked a person as a Pitbull, despite the police and animal control describing the dog as a mix or another kind of breed that had similar body structure to a Pit.
Pitbulls are actually naturally bad guard dogs as they are very friendly and loving breeds, even with complete strangers. However, if a baby is killed by a Labrador, only the local media covers the story. If a baby is killed by a Pitbull because of an irresponsible owner (studies show that aggressive Pitbulls are aggressive because of their owner’s psychosis), over 200 media outlets worldwide will cover the story.
Furthermore, Pitbulls do not have locking jaws and they are incapable of the tiger-like mauling the media mythos has identified with them.
In a few years, the media will find another Dog breed to penalize for the crimes their owners are responsible for and again stupidity like this Pitbull banning law will be enacted to control and euthanize said breed.
I guess guns and swithch-blades don’t hurt people…but rather it’s the people using them that do. Therefore, let us bring back gun (and all manner of knifes) ownership and enforce regulated “responsible gun/weapon ownership”. Listen you lot, faaaaar toooo many anti-social people are NOT demanding pit bulls to have as a loving pet.
Another gutless move by an oba mp !!! I dont think we should be attacking poor ms. Davis, maybe her intentions were entirely admirable and done in with the love for this poor puppy, but yes i agree ignorance of the law is no excuse.
It’s not politics because the previous govt had the opportunity to change and didn’t. It’s about simple minded humans who need to go back to school and get themselves educated on these dogs or any dog on that banned list.
Actually if more people around the world educated themselves about dogs before they got them (people who purchase breeds such as pit bulls, rotts, etc) and understood the responsibility that is needed we probably would not have this issue with dogs in the world.
I totally agree. I hv had an Akita, a known fighter breed, and rotts also accused of being a fighter breed. But read everything I could and asked lots of question before I brought them. The Pitts in Bermuda got the bad rap from the guys who use them to fight or to protect their illegal stash. The wardens don’t bother those guys, I wonder why…
How was it gutless? The Minister stood his ground and even though the law is harsh he had it carried out rather then cave.
Sadly too many Bermudians are not socialised enough to be responsible for this breed of dogs.
How unfortunate that this particular dog wasn’t allowed to be exported.
It may not be a long term sustainable “policy” but it damn well would have sustained Hershey.
It was cruel and unnecessary not to take up that option.
Thanks to Michael Vick and others we find ourselves in this situation.
They are a dangerous breed because of breeding.
Now lets play football and make millions, serve our time and still make millions.
Bite me.
Pits are not banned because of dog fighting they are banned for biting HUMANS full stop.I don’t see anyone complaining about the rodeo bull and horse riding while sticking spikes in the poor animal. Or what about pigeon hunting and cockfighting? How about coyote and deer killing? Why is it that when a black man is successful and abuses an animal he becomes socially unacceptable while white men become sexy and macho? I know we’re talking about pitbulls but stop sensationalizing and essentializing crime by blacks. Read up on how the Roman empire led the way in blood sports and bred dogs for fighting in front of cheering crowds. In the US dogfighting began back in the 1700′s by WHITE people and has been a part of American culture. So pick your examples more carefully next time. Michael Vick deserves EVERY PENNY he makes and never deserved the harsh punishment that was dished out to him. But we all know why.
Bet you are glad you got that off your chest…. OK can we now return to the subject.
It’s close minded people like who cannot see the bigger picture
My mind is wide open and so are my eyes, ears and heart.
I agree!!!!!!
Dog fighting is IMMORAL. would you let your child fight to the death? No.
What Vick did to those poor dogs, should be done to him 10 fold!
Michael Vics very well deserved that punishment. Hes’s a cruel human being for fighting dogs.I take it you are in favour of dogfighting? ANd who says it’s sexy when done by white people? ANy one who abuses animals is a piece of trash. There is nothing sexy about it. Lately some americal celebrity for an enormous backlash online for posing with a dead lion. She was white, no one thought it was sexy., So get off your high horse, this has got nothing to do with race.
A question.
Which constituency does Mr. Richards represent.
Tuckers town
Let me get this straight, pit bull have been banned since 1978??? Can anyone explain how we even have these dogs 35 yrs later????? The law is the law, and being there has been SIX reported instances from pit bulls in SIX days, one can only assume this law was implemented for a very good reason!!! I think it is high time that anyone caught with these dogs get prosecuted and the dogs get put down!!! When will those that have the jobs to enforce the law, do their jobs???? It just never ceases to amaze me when it comes to those that think they are above the law or think the law doesn’t matter to them!!!!!
I would like to suggest if you have cable to watch channel 42. Pitts and parolees and educate yourself on this breed
What part of SIX attacks in SIX days did you miss????
Were they Pitts or did they look like Pitts. ASPCA.org. Under pet care. Just cause it looks like a pit doesn’t mean it is one.
You want people who are attacked by dogs to get them genetically tested? Just to prove what kind of pit bull it was?
No, I am not saying aggressive Pitts or dogs in general after a full inquiry should be put down. But a lot of dogs that look like a Pitt are stamped. ASPCA.org. Type in Pitt bull. Gives a good insight on the breed.
Ok when my son was 7 years old he was bit my 2 German Sheppards that always broke loose and bit people this was on a main road not even 20 yeards from a Primary School, and it was many times these dogs (full grown German Sheppards) were seen loose and running round the neighborhood and the Animal Control was called cause ppl were scared of the dogs and scared to leave their home if the dogs was loose the owner was warned to make sure they stay in their Kennel (in front of my face this was said) the owner offered me $150 for each bite which ended up being 2 bites 1 bite from each dog (the bite’s was not real serious but these dogs have caused worst bites) but the owners were allowed to continue to secretly keep the dogs after I found out my son was the 8th person to be bit by the same dog/s over a period of a year and everytime the owners got to keep their dogs and pay their way out and never go court and it was 3 more instances with the same dogs before I decided to move out of the area… All I’m tryna say is its just not Pit bulls that have a bad name and I guess its who u are to keep allowing u to get away with it…
Those dogs should have been put down. Children should be able to walk to school without fear of an animal attacking them. The owners obviously had enough money if they could afford to pay every time their dog bit a child. The police should have been informed and the owners taken to court and the dogs destroyed
I hope people know now that pitbulls are banned from this island. I just can’t wait until they all are no longer on this island.
Then they will find another dog to label
I think you are living in never never land sunshine, Pits will never disappear from the Island banned or not the breeding will just go further and further underground. The dogs will get more inbred and inherit physical issues due to the inbreeding not to mention the horrific liing conditions they will have to endure being hidden all of their lives! Guns are banned and so is marijuana last I knew and you havent gotten rid of them yet. We the public are totally aware that pits are on the illegal breeds list however some folks can and do have them legally, they are licensed members of their families. Time to wake up from your siesta and smell the coffee! Better to have the breed controlled and legal (with stipulations) than outright try to ban it time for the wardens to do their jobs by prosecuting irresponsible owners rather than euthanizing the innocent.
“While I recognize that there may have been considerable public support to send this particular dog overseas, this is not a sustainable nor consistent policy.
Who would have paid for the overseas transfer?
Can Ms. Davis tell us how much she paid for the dog? And whether she made sure the dog was legit?
Not red herrings but genuine questions, givven the huge support surrounding the sad circumstances. Interesting to note the Department response that she was responsible for the family trauma for buying an ilegal dog!!
I am not a dog lover… to me all these dog lovers leave their dogs chained up when they are away at work ….. and we neighbors have to listen to them bark all day……There are two sides of this story….enough of these dogs…..
ALL these dog lovers? My dogs have the freedom to wonder in the house all day. I leave the TV on (they like cartoons) and a stuffed KONG toy for each. Keeps them more than occupied.
I am personally against dogs being chained up day. We are not all the same Tina, perhaps you need to get out of the house more often.
I think your are lonely.. Maybe you should get a pet you old grouch.. #JustSaying..
sad what did hersey did 2 u mate u put down an innocent puppy ♀♀♀
over what ????
§☻☻§
dat f.. up good lord doesnt sleep
While I am fully aware of the law, this decision to euthanize Hershey was a bit tasteless but I guess this is the way some in soceity view life. So much for being man’s best friend but some criminals who actually behave worse than these banned dogs ( if ever caught ) get away with slap on the wrist! The irony!
“Additionally, a family dog was attacked and killed by a ‘socialized’ family-pet Pitbull, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.”
Relevance? I bet it wasn’t even a “pure” bred pitbull. So many times pitbulls are miss categorized and painted in a negative light. All “domesticated” and trained animals have a pertinacity to snap, horses, cats, birds, whales, are they any more dangerous in such a situation? Countless persons have been raised in good environments with plenty of opportunities and still turn to a life of crime, are we going to start offing them too?
You are absolutely correct. And this is why the breed is on the prohibited list. You cannot rely on a responsible owner. If the dog’s genetic make up consists of animal aggression and or human aggression no matter how much it is loved, or trained, it will when given the chance carry out what its genetic make up is telling it to do. People are going on about pitbulls and parolees. What they seem to fail to realize is they have dogs that they have not been able to adopt. They have dogs that will spend the rest of their lives in a kennel run and not in a home. Bermuda does not have the space to afford such a luxury. Also if the owner was so willing to send the dog away, why did they not make arrangements and go to Government with such proof. I imagine they simply said that in hopes that the minister would have caved under pressure and given them their dog back. Public safety is the ministers first priority, as unpopular as his decision was, it was the right one to make. Also, I recall a lot of talk about a one time amnesty. People apparently forget that there was an amnesty in 2011. That I believe would qualify as the one time amnesty, surely people cannot expect there to be a one time amnesty every 2 years.
Oops. Better go and untie my whale and bring him inside.
Seriously I hate people who leave their dogs chained up 24/7, it is cruel and unnecessary and I wonder why they even have a dog in the first place. If you have a household pet it needs to be part of the household, not a garden accessory.
Pill bulls were bred to attack and kill. They may appear cute and docile, but that can change in the blink of an eye.
The Minister is right: they are dangerous dogs that are banned for good reason. Those who import them illegally have only themselves to blame when the law is enforced.
Do you know what other dogs have been on the banned list? Maybe you should check it out.
I have 2 words for the minister
Great job?
Well done?
ask Mr Richards about the illegal pit bulls that got amnesty last year. Illegal is illegal right. How about asking him how come there are more Pitts on the island now since made illegal. How about get a new warden who is not afraid of Pitts and get someone in who can do their job and not put personal preference first. I am not saying all Pitts are nice but every case should be looked at individual and not condemned because of their type. My breed of dog was a rott the most docile animal my family had ever had. Because some idiot who felt it was easier to ban them then understand them I now have to have a diff breed of dog now that my rott had passed. Call Tia Torres from pittbull and parolees and learn something, remember my taxes pay you and next election I just might change my mind. You have the power to make a change. Educate yourself.
Six attacks in six days Cheryl. They’re a frikkin menace.
All of a sudden there is 6 attacks in 6 days.
And I say again were they true Pitts.
The minister was not in power then so you are a bit off base. Also, if the policy is for the dogs to be put down, and this dog was put down then the wardens are doing their job. And just a few months ago, there was an attack in the news involving one of your breed, a Rottweiler. Who very easily could have killed that 13 yr old boy. Just as not all dogs are the horrible vicious things people make them out to be, they are also not all the sweet lovable docile creatures you speak about
correct on the minister. Never disputed who made the ban. But this minister is now the peoples minister and this govt is always talking about change. Let’s relook all the laws and make changes. once again I say if it’s nasty and dangerous then it must go but don’t label every dog. Each case should be reviewed separately. Had any of my dogs, Akita, rott, even my latest boxer seriously bit a child or another animal it would be gone. I would deal with it not the warden. They wouldn’t have to. I am a responsible dog owner!
my mind just cannot fathom this situation…the dog wardens at the botanical gardens office has records of every dog which has a licence…how many of these animals fit the description of hershey..? also how many has the spca let out to adoption, whether they have been chipped neutered or spayed or found to be non aggressive…the point im trying to make is …how come we are not hearing about the confiscation of these animals everyday…the authorities KNOW who has them…everyday i see someone walking their pitbull…why havent they been picked up am i the only one who sees this ?if this dept did their job as they are expected to, there would be NO pits on this island…people shouldnt have to lower their existence by being a SNITCH, which is defined as being a lower form of life…even the police dont like a snitch but they will use them to their advantage then dispose of them when they become of no use to them. So if it’s YOUR JOB to police this problem then DO IT!!…and you dont need to be a swat team swooping down on someones house a 4 in the morning armed to the teeth to perform your JOB…im not 100% sure but the wardens should have the same powers as a police officer…less chances of the perpetrator committing another crime against the officers call for assistance if so necessary…if its the LAW then ENFORCE it…Now i expect to be reading a lot more about how my pet was taken and exterminated. You do not take a pedo and kill them …you do not take a murderer and kill them …YOU PUT THEM AWAY SOMEWHERE FOR THE PUBLICS’ SAFETY DON’T YOU ?? Build a compound up next to westgate and then offer day jobs to the inmates with the PROPER SUPERVISION cleaning grooming rehabilitating BOTH them and dog…Parolees an PitBulls. hey !! now we know what to do with the feral chickens… eggs for the guys and meat for the dogs…now let me shut up before i end up solving the worlds problems…lol
I am confused. How are these dogs illegal? Government, through the Department of Environmental Protection, gave these dogs amnesty some years ago. They needed to be spayed or neutered, chipped and then licensed. Minister Richards should refrain from calling them illegal especially because of the fact that a department under his remit is receiving fees from owners of these “Illegal dogs”.
I suspect those individual dogs received amnesty. This probably did not include breeding them and producing new, non-amnesty ones.
Public Reminds Minister: We elected you to create CHANGE… as in… change this law; it’s ridiculous.
Are you sure there will be unanimous support to change the law? Probably not. Most people won’t comment on their feelings about pitbulls because they know how psychotic animal lovers can be when they feel their animals are threatened. But they will support a ban.
@RawOnion,,, you need to get a life ,,,from where I stant you know nothing about the bread so excuse yourself from the topic…
“because they know how psychotic animal lovers can be when they feel their animals are threatened”
Insulting people who have an animal in their family.!!!!WOW, I guess you must fill that role in yours. You can head back to neanderthal cave dwelling now.
I have known pit bulls were banned all this time. However, I was mad at the dog being put down. The first article I read about the story was that Ms Davis was willing to send the dog away and they were willing to pay, and her statements after the fact also support that. The law states “they may seize the dogs and destroy them or otherwise dispose of them in such a manner as sees fit”. There’s clearly an option of sending the dog away. Correct me if I am wrong.
Also, what also angered me was how she got an email to say that the dog had been put down. That is highly unprofessional and shows so much lack of emotion. How would you like it if you got an email from the hospital saying someone from your family had died? Most owners get to say a few last words to their pets a few minutes before they are put down.
Another thing that bothered me is when Min Richards said his statement and his story was the complete opposite of what Davis had said, claiming that they offered her to ship the dog away. I do not know who is lying here but I do not think it is her as that is what she said since this story came to the light of the public.
I personally feel like this could have been dealt with in a different way.
@ animal lover – totally agree with you. I hope she gets answers. The expense to ship Hershey was being taken care of by the family overseas who was willing to take him. Like you said there is some lying going on here.
@ Animal lover:
Another thing that bothered me is when Min Richards said his statement and his story was the complete opposite of what Davis had said, claiming that they offered her to ship the dog away.
Speaking with a former S.P.C.A Inspector yesterday, I was reminded that any Dog being shipped too the U.S needs two Rabies injections, administered six months apart, starting(?) at six months of age. So if the Minister said this, he was wrong because he would be curcomventing the law. Ms. Davis wouldn’t have been able to ship the puppy for the same reason. Maybe if the Minister was able to explain the law and circumstances properly, we wouldn’t have this uproar.
This is incorrect. The only thing a dog needs to leave the island is a health certificate. A dog returning to the island would need a rabies protocol similar. This dog would clearly not be coming back so the information you received is incorrect.
Thank you Vet!
ASPCA.org
Click pet care
Big article on the Pitt. It’s origin etc.
The ASPCA. Hardly impartial. The stats and the injuries and deaths are the impartial judges, Cheryl.
Read the article. ASPCA.org. Search pittbull. It’s a very interesting piece. Once again if a dog of anytype is dangerous because it has seriously hurt a human or animal should be destroyed. This puppy and many others are stereo typed.
I wish Cheryl would stop spelling it as “Pittbull” the correct breed name is the American Pit Bull Terrier!
When is a pitbull not a pitbull? There are plenty of pitbull mixes out there. Where is the line drawn? Who is the judge? Yep, I have a pit mix. got her from the SPCA too. Looking at the dog there is a lot of pit. There is alot of lab too plus a bit of Bermuda guess what.
I have no real problems with banning certain breeds but I think that anyone convicted of a violent crime or drugs should be banned from owning a dog in their household first.
I have 3 Pitt bulls and have never been bit….. But Saturday night I got bit 6 times by a 4 year old lab! All dogs have teeth and can bite does not mean a certain breed should be punished…
Pitt, the point is if you were bitten by a Pitt Saturday night, you would either be too injured to type or dead.
U think that way because it’s a Pitt. There are dogs out there that can do the same or worse. An Akita for one, bred to kill bears. You ever seen the size of a bear.
Ridgebacks were bred to kill LIONS. LIONS! King of the Jungle. But everyone is afraid of a tiny pitbul.
The Akita is on the restricted list. To quote what some else said “Restricted breeds can be imported or bred, but there are restrictions on ownership, such as special enclosures, property inspections, etc.”
So to own an Akita here someone has to jump through a lot of hoops.
I know how aggressive Akitas can be. My in-laws have two Chihuahuas and my father-in-law was walking them one day in New England (they have a home there)and these two Akitas can leaping out of the back of someone pick up and came right at him. It was all he could do to pick the two little dogs up and hold them over his head while the Akitas snapped at them.
Akitas were also on the prohibited list here in Bermuda until they were moved to the restricted list.
I myself have also been badly bitten by a socialized, normally well behaved German Shepherd here in Bermuda, another dog now on the restricted list here after previously having been unrestricted.
I’ve also met some really sweat Pitts over the years, can’t deny that.
However as many others have pointed out, there are reasons that Pitts are banned here and in many other jurisdictions. Looking at the u.s. statistics for fatal dog attacks by breed in 2012 we see that Pitts accounted for 61% of fatal attacks. The next biggest offender was Rotties at 8%, followed by “Mixed-Breed” and German Sheps at 5% each while 1 attack was an attack by dogs of 9 different breeds (for information they were: American bulldog, husky, boxer-mix, bullmastiff, labrador-shepherd mix, presa canario, mastiff-Rhodesian ridgeback mix, cane corso and a golden retriever-mix).
So yeah, there are perfectly nice Pitts that never bite anyone, but the statistics frankly speak for themselves.
Do i like that Hershey was put down? Hell no, i love animals. However, i am also not opposed to so-called Breed Specific Legislation because the numbers are what they are.
My question is how many reported bites from dogs not on the banned list? I’ve raised pit bulls, Rottweilers, and a few others on the banned list and these dogs have a bad rap because of their size and ignorant people that use them improperly. Yes law is law but if it is overlooked for one it should be overlooked for all. Dogs are a product of their environment and if taught wrong they will do wrong. Placing a ban on anything will just make it more popular… Case in point…. Drugs. Illegal here but widely used and brought into the island. It’s about educating not banning.
Sometimes you cant blame the dog *sometimes*
I have 3 shepherds they have never bitten a person. But males walking up our street constantly reach over our 6 FOOT FENCE to grab our dogs. If they get bit that should be their f*****g fault not the dogs!
Maybe all of these “attacks” are happening because people do not know how to approach a large or “vicious” breed. Mind you some dogs are vicious, but how much of these attacks are humans being stupid?
My only comments are that we now need to Enforce the Law. If the law says no Pitt bulls then no Pit Bulls, period. The public can get to love other breeds. My wife was chased by a part or similar breed. They are dangerous, period, and the ban should be enforced. Round them all up and ship them out PERIOD. I applaud the minister to a point, but hold him responsible unless all Pitt Bulls and part Pit Bulls are shipped out for the safety of our children and other pets.
It’s called standing up for what’s wrong and what’s right
What is so confusing to me is that 10/11 of the dogs on the prohibited list are bull/mastiff breeds.. Yet there are 6 previously prohibited breeds currently on the legal side which are also bully breeds.. Where do the regulations stem from? Who decides which dogs are inherently that more dangerous? How is it that magically 6 ‘attacks’ have happened since Hersheys case began.. And why aret THEY in the news? The dog wardens and dept of environmental protection don’t go around checking or regulating anything – and then when something happene they do some wand waving and pull some statistics out of their rear ends. I’m tired o the sensation of having the wool pulled over my eyes.. I don’t know about the rest of you.
Here’s the list by the way –
Prohibited breeds may not be imported or bred. All of the below breeds were also prohibited under the previous prohibited-breed list.
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 crossbreed of above
Restricted breeds can be imported or bred, but there are restrictions on ownership, such as special enclosures, property inspections, etc. Some of the below breeds were previously on the prohibited breed list, and some of the below breeds were not previously restricted or prohibited. I have noted the changes. Restricted breeds are as follows:
Akita (previously prohibited)
Australian Cattle Dog (previously unrestricted)
Belgian Malinois (previously unrestricted)
Bouvier Des Flandres (previously unrestricted)
Bull Terrier (previously prohibited)
Bullmastiff (previously prohibited)
Chow Chow (previously unrestricted)
Doberman Pinscher (previously unrestricted)
Dogue De Bordeaux (previously prohibited)
German Shepherd (previously unrestricted)
English Mastiff (previously prohibited)
Rhodesian Ridgeback (previously unrestricted)
Rottweiler (previously prohibited)
Staffordshire Bull Terrier (previously unrestricted)
What about the responsible owners who have their pitts fixed, licensed and chipped. Are they next to be destroyed? Thoughtless move. I have a family member who’s pitt is sociable and has never bitten anyone. All dogs have the ability to bite but not all dogs will. Personally those little ankle biters tend to be much more aggressive. I don’t see a call for those breeds to be put down when they bite.
Totally agree, but wardens are scared of the little dogs and the criminals can’t fight them andake money off them. The Pitts are doomed because people are uneducated bought them. But the Akitas had a bad name in its day. So did the shepherds, Doberman and rotts. To ban a dog is a cowards way out.
Sorry typo. Aren’t scared of small dogs
Agree Cheryl 100% only I think the wardens are scared of some pit owners so instead of dealing with the problem (the owner) when they break the law they kill their dogs! That is the easy way out. I have owned many pits and variety of pit crosses never had an issue with any of them and they were all fixed, attended the vets regularly and were licensed. Our last Pit Am bulldog cross used to allow my 2 year old son to sleep with his head on him like a pillow and never moved until the child woke up, my child suffered worse injuries from out cats than he ever did the dog. This is all just too ridiculous!
Yes definitely agree on the wardens being more scared of the owners. Wouldn’t you? I know I would and if their dogs are dangerous than they go I don’t disagree. Even Tia on Pitts and paroles would do that. But don’t condemn the other Pitts that are good dogs.
Most definitley if a dog pit or other displays any signs of uncontrollable aggresion then by all means please remove him or her from society but the innocent well socialized animals shouldnt have to suffer for the others. Had a cane corso once which did kill another dog we immediately had him euthanized irregardless of the fact that the other dog had been teasing him for weeks while he was in his kennel on my property and the other dog was running free on my property!! I have much respect for Tia Torres she doesnt play perhaps we the pit lovers should pay to bring her here to give us clinics on how to house and train pits properly – just a thought!
Great idea bringing her here but she don’t fly. She fears flying go figure.
we have many cruise ships she can hop on, I’d love to see her come here
I sent her an email. They say she reads them all. Whether she answers that’s a different story. She is on Facebook also
I have Shepherds for protection. They might have a bad name but I tell you, no one bothers me when they are around.
All pit bulls less than 35 years old should be culled. They are illegal. A great start of reducing Bermuda’s anarchy.
Owning or breeding a pit renders you outside the law. Guilty as charged.
The ban has only been in lace since 2003.
Alright, you go ahead and try it, idiot.
Your just another uneducated fool
It’s still a really f…..up thing to do to dogs period they shud let pits b legal they attack ppl who treat dem like they dnt belong in this world wen government needs to realize it n change dat law cuz u ppl gonna bring more crime to dis island sooner then u think. u lot cnt even keep youths employed. Smh if pits r that bad den u shud make schoolin for youths for a training camp for Pitts bt government always brings out negativity
Can the Minister tell us how many pit bulls are put down per month for the last year?
A common thread in the blogs is people create the danger in these dogs. If that is the case we have an even bigger problem. If we are unable to catch and prosecute successfully murders, we will not do a good job with ignorant pitt bull owners either. The breed is unpredictable and the law is there to protect the great majority…..PEOPLE. I’m terrified of pitt bulls and have seen them attack an innocent Yorkshire twice on its own property. A case of poor owner responsibility with letting the pitts wander. Hershey could have been sent overseas. And if the law is to be changed make the non-negotiable option of immediate deportation the consequence. If the pitt has a history of aggression then euthanize to protect the Government from potential legal risks.
I can name 5 other dogs off the top of my head that bite just as hard an as aggressive plz give us a better excuse sounds mor like a hate issue toward a popular breed.
The Statistics do not lie regarding pit bull bites. They cause more serious injury and death than any other dog. FACT!
a 2011 study from the Annals of Surgery revealed that “attacks by pit bulls are associated with higher morbidity rates, higher hospital charges and a higher risk of death than are attacks by other breeds of dogs.”
The authors of that 2011 study go on to say, “Strict regulation of pit bulls may substantially reduce the U.S. mortality rates related to dog bites.”
Maybe they should start putting these guys that get convicted of murder to sleep like they do dogs., How will everyone feel than? A dog attacks someone (not kills) and gets put to sleep.. But a man kills another man and goes jail for a few years., SMH! #LifesaBxtch
The Pitbull Breed is Baned – yes -
but why is there so many around – baned’ [ lol ] did they mamage to get the Pit bulls Mother and Father and the sibblings too ‘
if they didn’t then the whole thing is nothing but another news story.
In my experience with dogs – the three most dangerous dogs have been [1] German Sheppard,[2] Rottweiler, and the
[4] Doberman Pincher than the Pit bull.—– this is from my experience! -all 4 Dog breeds I’ve mentioned should
never fall in the hands if a irresponsible owner.
4 attacks in the past 6days???? Come on now that’s a lie!!!! Don’t always believe the reports!!!!
I’m not a fan of Pitbulls, but 4 of 6 attacking the the past 6 days, really !!???
It doesn’t make sense. So how many attacks are reported per year ?
It sounds like made up numbers. Are there police reports filed? Is this just one dog? How come there was no reported news on each of these alleged attacks. On average there would have to be 243 Pitbull attacks per year if 4 attacks in the past 6 days.
Something smells
Them following the law. I don’t like this law, but I can understand. Them throwing out numbers without producing evidence and insinuating it’s the norm from a biased sample period really stinks.
Agree. All of a sudden we hv these attacks. True or not.. How come we never hear about the others. Tell the public when this happens. Not when there is an issue
Banning these dogs will not solve the issue!!!! It’s been 10 years since the ban was put in to place yet pit bulls are STILL the most owned dog on the island. So doesn’t that tell you that banning these dogs does NOTHING but kill innocent pit bull puppies. Get to the ROOT of the problem!!!! People!! Us!!!! Irresponsible people having owner ship of these dogs!!! Why make the dogs suffer for the actions of irresponsible people!!!!
This is not a lie. As one of the Wardens, I personally attended the fatal attack on Wednesday night of a yorkshire terrier. The report is not false.
HMM??? I wonder why it’s pit bulls which the light is shed on while there are other dogs attacking which are being put a blind eye to???? Oh because pit bulls are owned by mostly blacks!!!!!
I know of 3 non black families that have a pitbull, so I don’t think your point has merit. I don’t have one, not my thang.
MOSTLY
So what your saying is that blacks are more likely to own an illegal breed of dog? Is that no inadvertently racist. And if it is true can you provide evidence or statistics other than the gospel that spouts from your mouth, to support your said claim?
FACTS!
Dog related fatalities in the last 10 years United States (Wikipedia)
2003 14 Rottweiler (5) (36%) PIT BULL (4) (29%) Mixed breed dog (3) (21%)
2004 15 Mixed breed dog (10) (67%) PIT BULL (3) (20%) Rottweiler (2) (13%)
2005 29 Mixed breed dog (11) (38%) PIT BULL (10) (34%) Rottweiler (4) (14%)
2006 30 PIT BULL (14) (47%) Rottweiler (9) (30%) Mixed breed dog (4) (13%)
2007 34 PIT BULL (14) (41%) Mixed breed dog (7) (21%) Rottweiler (4) (12%)
2008 23 PIT BULL(12) (52%) Mixed breed dog (7) (30%) Husky (2) (9%)
2009 31 PIT BULL (11) (35%)
Mixed breed dog (11) (35%)
Rottweiler (2) (6%)
Husky (2) (6%)
Mastiff (1) (3%)
Boxer (1) (3%)
Alaskan Malamute (1) (3%)
Weimaraner (1) (3%)
2010 36 PIT BULL (15) (42%) Mixed breed dog (9) (25%) Rottweiler (4) (11%)
2011 33 PIT BULL (14) (42%) Mixed breed dog (8) (24%) Rottweiler (4) (12%)
2012 34 PIT BULL (13) (38%) Mixed breed dog (9) (26%) Rottweiler (3) (9%)
Wanna bet that the majority of mixed breeds involved in these incidences have pit bull in them?
The stats don’t lie, no dog kills more, maims more and is more unpredictable than a pit. Law enforcement services and the military will not use them as guard or attack dogs because they are too dangerous and unpredictable. -FACT!
It is too big a risk, if one of these animals turns on an human under any circumstance.
A five-year review of dog-bite injuries from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, published in 2009 in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, found that almost 51 percent of the attacks were from pit bulls, almost 9 percent were from Rottweilers and 6 percent were from mixes of those two breeds.
In the U.S., one in 50 Americans has a chance of being bitten by a dog. In 2012, about 32% of all dog bite victims were visiting or living temporarily with the dog’s owner when fatal attacks occurred. Pit bulls are usually the breed responsible for such fatal dog attacks, contributing to 23 deaths out of 38 in the U.S. in 2012. Rottweilers are another dangerous breed, and both pit bulls and rottweilers are responsible for most fatal dog attacks in the U.S. Most dog bite victims are male, and most of them are under the age of eight and younger. For girls, the number is lower: only 33% fell in the same age bracket.
Pit Bulls and Rottweilers kill, it is a fact. But we want to keep them as pets in order to endanger other humans, specifically children. If Hershey had grown up and ripped out a child’s throat, I am sure the owner would have said that he was so ‘lovable and friendly’.
Are these Bermuda Statistics. We are talking Bermuda. What are our statistics?
Bermuda to my knowledge does not have accessible information regarding Dog bite statistics and breeds. But a simple news search will help you gain a little perspective on Pit Bull attacks. The dogs are dangerous, regardless of who the owners are or not. That is why they are a banned breed both here and in other countries. I would suggest that the ministry start to keep statistics on dog bites and breeds. What I can tell you is that Bermuda is not the US but that does not change the behavior or temperament of certain types of dogs depending on what country we are in, there are pit bull attacks in the press every year on this Island and the majority are with devastating consequences. Bare in mind that allot the of the pit bull genetics we have in Bermuda come from dogs that have been bred to fight illegally and attack/ guard. Inbreeding is common.
pit bulls shouldn’t be banned
See articles on the USA’s stance on this issue
Breed-specific legislation and Pit Bull Discrimination
is a fear response, not a solution to a problem
https://www.google.com/#q=obama%20pitbull&undefined=undefined
Yeah, some people say the same thing about abolishing gun ownership, ‘a fear response’. It is the people that own the guns not the guns themselves that are the issue right!? But both pit bulls and guns are dangerous and have devastating consequences. An angry pit bull has the ability to kill and permanently maim anyone in an instant. That is the issue. They are a significant risk to human population regardless of who owns them.
https://www.google.com/#q=dog+attack
Google dog attack, not pit bull specific at all and see what comes up in the news. 2 fatalities in 2 different countries in the last couple of days.
Surprise!! Both from pit bulls.
u have nothing but bad 2 say about pibulls
how many good stories are out there
http://www.today.com/video/today/40471379#40471379
Premiere reduces cabinet. Was he listening to the public. Bye Bye Mr Richards….