month have put sharper teeth into the 1978 Dogs Act.

The changes to the act should see quicker action against dangerous dogs and their owners and more people liable in court for dog offences, hopefully putting an end to neighbourhoods being terrorised by out-of-control dogs.

The long-awaited new laws have empowered officers of Agriculture and Fisheries to immediately impound dogs they believe are dangerous.

They have also pushed up the maximum fine for those convicted of offences under the Dogs Act to $5,000 for a first offence and $10,000 for a second.

And under-18-year-olds can no longer obtain a licence for a dog. If someone under the age of 18 is given a dog, they must submit the name of an adult as the legal guardian of the dog.

The new laws further make it an offence to be in possession of a puppy or dog which came from an unlicensed source.

And anyone keeping or taking care of a dog, whether or not they own it, is liable in court for any offence that may occur.

"Government decided to toughen up the laws because of growing public concern for the number of incidents involving dangerous dogs, such as attacks on people, other dogs, livestock and damage to property,'' Government veterinarian Dr. Neil Burnie said yesterday.

The swelling dog and human population may be behind many of the dog complaints, he said.

"With tightly congested neighbourhoods there is more interaction, therefore, a greater tendency for incidents to occur,'' he explained.

Dr. Burnie said Government had no plans to ban vicious pit bulls or part-pit bull dogs as planned in the United Kingdom.

Pit bulls have been behind many recent savage attacks in Bermuda on other dogs, livestock, adults and children. There was even an incident of a man being robbed by someone using a pit bull as their weapon.

Dr. Burnie said the legislation was "broad in its intent so as to cover all breeds of dogs''.

"It is not geared specifically against pit bulls because there are many other dogs which have the potential to be extremely dangerous,'' Dr. Burnie said.

A flyer outlining the changes to the Dogs Act will be available at post offices Island-wide.

It will also list existing dog laws many people may not be aware of, such as all dogs must have a current licence tag displayed on them at all times; it is the duty of the keeper to secure bitches in heat so they cannot be accidentally bred; and no person should leave a dog alone on their premises unless it has access to water, is able to move freely and has reasonable shelter from the sun and rain.

The new laws will make it possible for quicker, more direct action against dogs and their owners, Dr. Burnie said.

No longer will the Agriculture Department or Police be required to get a court order before taking action.

Under the current act an owner/keeper cannot be held responsible for an out-of-control dog until an animal has breached a court order. But the new legislation will give officials the right to seize an animal they believe is out of control.

And it will replace all references to "owning dogs'' with keeping dogs -- a term extending liability for dog offences to all possible handlers.

"This means that the previous ploy of denying ownership of a dog will no longer render an individual free of responsibility for the dog,'' he said.

In many instances officers fail to prosecute because the dog owner is absent or its keeper is a minor, Dr. Burnie pointed out.

The new laws will also enable the Agriculture Department to better keep track of dogs because new owners must licence dogs immediately and not within six months as previously required. If anyone has any questions regarding the new laws they can call the Animal Husbandry division of Agriculture and Fisheries at 236-4201.