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Govt amends ban on importing dogs for breeding

A Bull Terrier which will now be allowed into Bermuda for breeding.

Government has lifted a ban on breeding or importing dogs deemed a moderate risk for causing injury.People will be allowed to keep pets including rottweilers, Staffordshire bull terriers, German shepherds and doberman pinschers as long as they act as responsible owners, Environment Minister Marc Bean said today.Campaigners welcomed the move, saying it allows them to train and breed animals and opens their door to international competition.The ban was initially imposed by then Minister Dennis Lister in 2003 following increasing complaints of biting, injury and aggressive behaviour.This morning, Mr Bean told a press conference that would be relaxed after a review from a Canine Advisory Committee of dog experts.He said conditions imposed on “restricted breeds of dogs” will include keeping them on a leash when they’re not in an escape-proof enclosure, which will be inspected by officials.Also today, the Minister announced Government has decided against banning puppies and kittens from the UK, despite that country relaxing its rabies laws.Government veterinary officer Jonathan Nisbett was reportedly in favour of blocking young animals from Britain as it eases its regulations on January 1, prompting an outcry from dog lovers in Bermuda.But Mr Bean told the media today: “We have concluded that the risk is sufficiently low to enable Bermuda to continue accepting dogs and cats of any age from the United Kingdom without requiring any rabies vaccination, and to allow these animals to enter Bermuda as young as three months of age.”