A ban on certain dog breeds could be scratched to give owners and breeders "greater freedom of choice", Government announced yesterday.

In what appeared to be a backtrack on the ban on 'dangerous' breeds such as pit bulls, bull terriers, mastiffs and Rottweilers, Deputy Premier Paula Cox announced a review of restrictions on importation and breeding.

In her Budget speech Ms Cox said: "There is currently a policy in place which restricts the importation and breeding of dogs of certain breeds. This policy will be reviewed to ensure that dogs, dog owners and the public are protected while ensuring that dog owners and breeders have greater freedom of choice in selecting their dogs."

Just four months ago however, then Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield said that since a Government ban on "dogs of questionable temperament" in 2003, the number of reported dog bites had dropped by more than half.

She said the Department of Environmental Protection stopped breeding and import permits for certain breeds out of "a deep concern for public safety". Statistics showed that complaints of dog bites had fallen by 59 percent while complaints of cruelty by owners had fallen 73 percent, from 169 in 2001-03 to 45 in 2005-07.

In December however, Dr. Neil Burnie of Endsmeet Animal Hospital — a former Government veterinarian, claimed that many of the dogs on the 2003 banned list made loving family pets.

"I've seen responsible owners being prevented from having their beloved dog, because of this legislation. It tars all dogs with the same brush. It suggests the breed is the problem rather than the individual dog owner. The responsibility should be with the owner. There are many of these banned dogs who are loving family pets," he told The Royal Gazette.

Yesterday a Government spokesman said the time had come to review the ban as part of the new Dogs Act. He denied Government was backtracking.

"This is not a backtrack, but an acknowledgement that the prohibition has been effective and the time has come to review the policy.

"The Minister met with a large number of dog groups on the evening of February 13 to review the policy with them. The input received was valuable and will be used as the review of the policy continues.

"Some of the recommendations raised at the meeting are being incorporated into the new Dogs Act which is currently being drafted."