Shadow Environment Minister Cole Simons has joined forces with SPCA head Dr. Andrew Madeiros to call for an amnesty on illegal dogs, allowing owners to turn their dogs in to authorities rather than resorting to nightmarish tactics such as drowning or dumping the canines.

Mr. Simons and Dr. Madeiros spoke out following what dog wardens have dubbed "Hell-day" ? when five dead dogs were discovered on Monday.

The final call to animal wardens on Monday regarded a pit bull which was reported as drowned.

That body turned up on Tuesday afternoon near Spithead on Harbour Road. Wardens and Police are still actively seeking any information from witnesses or the dog's owner, whom they have not yet been able to identify.

One of the dogs found on Monday was drowned with weights tied around its neck, while the bodies of others were found abandoned in trees or in enclosed areas.

Dr. Madeiros emphasised he had not yet spoken with the SPCA about an amnesty and so could not speak for them. However he felt that, if given the resources, the SPCA would be prepared to spay and neuter any illegal dogs which are brought in.

The dogs would then be adopted or, if no place can be found for them or they are not adoptable, humanely put to sleep. The SPCA and Government already have a system in place whereby illegal dogs brought to the shelter can be adopted out under an extremely strict set of guidelines.

A second option, Dr. Madeiros added, would be for people to bring their illegal dogs to the dog wardens to keep at the Government kennels.

The wardens could then work with the SPCA to decide the fate of the dogs.

The main issue facing the idea, he added, is space. "That's something the wardens and the SPCA could work on together," he said. "They have space, we have space.

"These animals are probably better off being put to sleep than attacked or dumped into the sea. There has to be an alternative. We could take it, no questions asked. If the dog is adoptable we will do so, and if not, it would be humanely euthanised."

However, Dr. Madeiros added, he wished the SPCA could have had time to suggest such an amnesty when the dog ban was suddenly implemented in 2001.

Mr. Simons agreed, saying that could have helped prevent people from taking matters into their own hands for fear of being penalised by Government.

The Bermuda Kennel Association also supported the idea of an amnesty, he said. "This is not a punitive measure. We want to help those animals."