An Opposition MP has urged the Government to “immediately release” an 18-month-old report on how to tackle illegal dog breeding and associated problems.

Linda Smith, the shadow environment minister, said the “long-awaited” recommendations from the Canine Advisory Committee, delivered to the Government in December 2024, should now be made public by Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and Environment.

“The Government has been promising to bring forward legislation and new initiatives since the ad hoc Canine Advisory Committee completed its work …” Ms Smith said.

“Unfortunately, so far, the only deliverable has been an online dog licensing renewal process, which does nothing to control illegal breeding, neglect and dangerous conditions.”

Ms Smith spoke out after an animal welfare veteran called for the reinstatement of a ban on pitbull terriers, after new figures showed that 175 were destroyed by government vets last year.

The statistics also revealed that pitbulls accounted for 211 of the 322 dogs seized or found by wardens in 2025.

Debbie Masters admitted that legislation passed in 2018 removing the breed from the banned list had failed and there was still an “underground criminal network of mass breeding and ill treatment” which was not being dealt with.

Ms Smith said the call for reinstatement of the pitbull ban was “proof that current restrictions and enforcement efforts are failing”.

She said: “Updating dog law legislation is in the interest of public safety and animal welfare.

“It is also important for ongoing animal control, managing healthy breeding populations, mandating proper animal shelter, improving data collection and increasing the number of dogs licensed, as required.”

The One Bermuda Alliance MP cited performance measures for the animal control section of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which forecast that 2,600 dogs were licensed in 2025-26, representing just a quarter of the island’s canine population.

“If that is correct, then several thousand dogs that should be registered, are not,” said Ms Smith.

The statistic, from the Government Budget Book for 2026-27, appeared to show that there were about 7,800 unlicensed dogs.

The target for this year is to have 3,000 licensed dogs, or 30 per cent of the eligible population.

The public works ministry said in June last year that promised dog control legislation was on hold but it was actively reviewing “legislative options and communication strategies”.

Ms Smith said today: “So far, there has been a lot of talk but no teeth put in the effort to improve the dog control problem.

“We clearly need solid legislation and effective enforcement in place to protect our people and the welfare of our dog population.

“We do not need a publicity campaign, as most people who want to be responsible pet owners probably already are.”

She added: “If the Government wishes to provide real information to the public, the ministry should stop stalling and release the report now, complete with recommendations as presented by the committee.”

Data released by DENR to The Royal Gazette in response to a public access to information request showed that ten prosecutions were brought under the Dogs Act last year but none has yet resulted in a conviction.

The Gazette this morning asked the public works ministry for comment on Ms Smith’s remarks.