Bermuda's animal problems should be tackled by a full-time troubleshooting unit designed for the job.

A comprehensive animal control department, replacing the current dog wardens and other animal staff, would help the country deal with issues such as the problem of vicious pitbulls.

Veterinarian and Bermuda Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter chairman Dr. Andrew Madeiros yesterday revealed that he believed a completely new department is the way forward to deal with the many difficulties caused by out-of-control animals.

The SPCA is on the receiving end of many of the problems created by animals, and in particular the rampant breeding of pitbulls.

"The breeding of pitbulls is worse than ever,'' Dr. Madeiros told Hamilton Lions at their weekly luncheon at M.R. Onions Restaurant. "Most pitbulls are quite people friendly, but very animal aggressive. In the wrong hands a pitbull may as well be a loaded gun.

"The current trend is for young, male Bermudians to acquire a pitbull from a friend. Many of the owners are still in their teens and have no means to care for a dog.

"These men, with a macho image, get pitbulls for personal protection.'' Dr. Madeiros added that some of the dogs are also used by drug dealers who care little for their welfare, resulting in many animals ending up on the streets and ultimately at the SPCA.

"Many of these dogs are kept by individuals of questionable moral ethic for personal and property protection,'' he said.

Up to 70 percent of all dogs brought to the shelter are pitbulls and can be extremely difficult to adopt out. Those that cannot be found homes are put down. Dr. Madeiros said he believes the current dog wardens are overloaded with work and cannot deal with the number of complaints adequately.

In addition to this, he said, the time it takes to bring a case to court is "ridiculous'' and even puts people off pursuing a prosecution.

"I believe the Government must re-create the dog control programme and form an animal control department,'' he said. "This must have agents responsible for all animal species and the legislation to back it up.

"A minimum standard of care and housing for all species should be set and enforced. Cases coming to court must be dealt with promptly and any penalties must be significant enough to demonstrate that failure to comply is a serious offence.'' Mr. Madeiros said a spaying and neutering programme should be made mandatory for cats, in addition to some sort of identification scheme to cut down on the number of strays.

The SPCA shelter chairman also hit out at horse owners who poorly treated their animals and failed to supply them with adequate housing or care.

Carriage horses often have a tough life dealing with pollution and the heat, he said.

"Many of these horses labour all summer hacking and then spend the winter neglected in miserable conditions,'' he said.

He added that there was little the SPCA could do in those circumstances since there were no laws covering minimum standards of housing horses, especially private stables as long as water, food and shelter is provided.

Mr. Madeiros called upon new Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson to look at the contents of a report compiled by an animal committee convened under the previous Government.

Andrew Madeiros