March 8, 2014

Dear Sir,

After turning to Page 5 of The Royal Gazette, March 5, 2014 it would appear that once again some minor player in the human race with delusions of grandeur deems it necessary to flex its muscles by warning Bermuda’s dog owners that by having their unleashed dogs on the beach he will have them heavily fined and thrown in jail!

Even Bermuda’s convicted child molesters can get away with just probation but don’t let anyone be caught allowing some little Yorkshire terrier — or God forbid — a Chihuahua loose on society. I can only assume that whoever drafted these regulations is not a dog owner and has no idea of the joy that owning a dog and walking with that dog can bring. There is very little open space in Bermuda and no dog parks so what does this Gestapo wannabe suggest. Perhaps a few days of being permanently restrained by a leash would change his outlook; it would certainly improve things and isolate him from society.

Of course this same person also one of the overpaid, waste of space, government civil servants that is now trying to justify their employment when under the spotlight of the SAGE commission. Section 6 of the National Parks Regulations is just one more example of Bermuda’s government overstepping its boundary and restricting its people’s freedom and rights. Sub sections (a), (b) and (c) are all unnecessary. The meat of the act is simply stated in section (d) No person shall cause, permit or suffer such dog to annoy or disturb any person in any protected area. It is irrelevant whether the disturbance happens on a beach or in Hamilton city. I have no problem with dogs being restricted from sensitive ecosystems. That is just common sense although being sensible does not appear to be very common among those who draft legislation.

If someone owns unruly or vicious dogs than they shouldn’t take them off their property. Owners of gentle and well trained dogs should be respected and not lumped in with the low life idiots who train their dogs to be vicious.

CAVE CANEM, TE NECET LINGENDO