Senator: ‘Public Have Seen Very Little Action’
“I am hopeful that in the coming weeks we will finally get some movement on this critical issue before another person or beloved pet is attacked by an out-of-control dog,” Opposition Senate Leader Robin Tucker said.
Senator Tucker said, “Last Wednesday in the Senate, the Junior Minister of Home Affairs, Senator Lindsay Simmons, responded to Parliamentary Questions submitted by the One Bermuda Alliance seeking information on matters related to dangerous dog.
“The Junior Minister responded that the Canine Advisory Committee has committed to providing their recommendations to both the Minister and the Ministry of Home Affairs by “late“ this week.
“It is hoped that, among other things, this report from the Committee can provide some clarity in respect of animal control officers’ ability to issue tickets to dog owners for minor offences.
“Clarity is required, because last year, in March of 2023, Minister Roban told the House of Assembly that new regulations were to be implemented. As reported in the media: “regulations are complete to implement ticketing for minor [dog] offenses”.
“Yet last week when the Junior Minister was then asked in the Senate how many tickets had been issued, Senator Simmons said “none”, explaining this was because the regulations were still in progress.
“The public might reasonably ask: which is it?
“If the Regulations are still not ready, as the Senate has just been told, why was the House told in March 2023 that they were being implemented?
“The ability to issue tickets to dog owners for minor infractions committed by their pets will be a step in the right direction – although far more still must be done to better protect the public and other animals from harm.
“As we await the details the Committee report, the public can only hope that their recommendations are such that Minister Roban can take them on board and act swiftly on them.
“Since the law on dangerous dogs was changed by the PLP Government some five plus years ago, Minister Roban has made a number of statements acknowledging the dog issues, and also made promises to address it.
“Yet the public have seen very little action from him on this critical issue.
“I am hopeful that in the coming weeks we will finally get some movement on this critical issue before another person or beloved pet is attacked by an out-of-control dog.”
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