Animal lovers are inviting people to support their cause by sporting special bracelets and key chains.

Punish the Deed not the Breed Bermuda is giving away the items free to raise awareness for its campaign.

The group advocates for the welfare of all dogs on the Island and has been petitioning the Bermuda Government to take pitbull-type dogs off the prohibited list and place them on the restricted list.

“Our goal is to bring about a greater awareness of the current atrocities happening in Bermuda and the need to examine and amend the current policies,” a spokeswoman said. “The group has purchased rubber bracelets and keychains to hand out to supporters free of charge. We began the initiative this week by sharing this on our site and have received an overwhelming demand.

“A few local businesses have offered to keep the merchandise on hand for those wanting a bracelet or keychain and we are still getting requests.”

The merchandise is being received so well that the group is considering ordering more.

Supporters can get their hands on the bracelets and key chains, some of which glow in the dark, at Rock Island Coffee Shop and the Booth on Reid Street among a growing list of other locations.

Punish the Deed not the Breed Bermuda condemns the “unwarranted destruction of any healthy, non-aggressive and responsibly owned dog” and is advocating for an immediate amnesty to prevent further local seizures and the destruction of mixed bull terrier breeds such as pitbull terriers and American Staffordshire terriers.

“We advocate for these targeted breeds to be licensed under an immediate amnesty and regulated with new and stricter licencing ordinates,” the spokeswoman said.

The group submitted documents and relevant legislation amendments to a canine advisory committee in August to “provide a clear way forward to a new era of human accountability and responsible ownership with strict breed recommendations and valid licencing regulations that reflect the level of training and measures of responsibility needed to license these breeds”.

However, it is still waiting for a response, with a government spokesman stating previously that Jeanne Atherden, the Minister of Health, Seniors and Environment, had reviewed the interim report and was awaiting more documentation to determine next steps.

Meanwhile, an online petition launched on change.org by the group eight months ago has received 2,455 signatures.

The spokeswoman added that the group welcomes questions and invites anyone looking to assist in bringing about positive change.

• For more information e-mail deednotbreedbermuda@gmail.com or call 703-7283