Police have apologised to a dog attack victim who was told officers could not investigate because they were off duty for the weekend.

Bus driver Dennis Robinson was savaged by two Pitbulls last Wednesday morning, as he walked along Spanish Point Road.

He was badly bitten in both arms -- and reported the incident to Police as soon as he was allowed out of hospital.

But Police had not taken a statement by Friday. And an officer at Hamilton Police Station told Mr. Robinson's wife the inquiry would have to wait because of the holiday weekend.

Evelyn James Barnett, public relations manager for the Bermuda Police Service, said last night: "It is regrettable that the Robinsons were told that the officers who would be dealing with the attack `didn't work on the weekend'.

"That was simply not true. And we agree with Mr. Robinson that the response was not good enough.'' Mrs. James Barnett vowed Police would investigate after Environment Minister Harry Soares made a similar promise in yesterday's Royal Gazette .

She added: "As mentioned on the front page of the daily newspaper, a sergeant was on duty over the holiday weekend.

"The entire incident is under active investigation and it is hoped that the matter can be brought to a conclusion, to the satisfaction of all involved.'' Government Dog Warden Leonard (Shinah) Simons confirmed he had visited the owner of the two Pitbulls who mauled Mr. Robinson's arms.

Mr. Simons said an assessment would be completed and a report filed to Police.

And officers finally took a statement from Mr. Robinson on Tuesday afternoon.

But Mrs. James Barnett added: "What is relevant here is the perception that after Mr. Robinson made the initial complaint to the Police, there was an unnecessary delay in Police follow-up to the complaint.

"The Police relationship with the public it serves is of paramount importance. That includes Police responsiveness.

"At no time can that relationship be compromised, either through erroneous information disseminated, through an inappropriate response or by a perception of disregard and lack of effort.

"In this particular case with the Robinsons, it appears that such a compromise did take place, to our discredit.

"We offer our apologies to Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, with our assurances that steps have been taken to ensure that such an episode is not repeated.'' Fifty-year-old Mr. Robinson, of Newman Lane, Pembroke, said he was "satisfied'' with the apology.

He added: "I really don't want to get anyone in any trouble. The Police called my wife this morning to clarify exactly what we were told.

"That was that there was nobody on duty during the weekend to investigate.

"I'm glad it appears to have been sorted out now and I'm beginning to feel much better.'' Doctors removed five stitches from Mr. Robinson's left elbow on Tuesday.

But his right arm, which was severely chewed, is still heavily bandaged and swollen because so much skin was torn off.

"The doctors say it could be three weeks or a month before the skin starts to heal,'' added the father-of-two.

"And even then it's going to leave a nasty scar.'' ANIMALS ALS