Government veterinarian Dr Neil Burnie confirmed yesterday.

However, two responsible rottweiler owners have come out in defence of the breed of dog after recent bad publicity over two attacks by the same rottweiler on small dogs being walked by Mr. Bob Nielsen in the same location in Pembroke.

Trainers Mr. Charles Butterfield and Mr. John Fryer, claimed the negative Press given the rottweiler is unfair, and that problems with dogs -- any dog -- often start with the owner.

Mr. Butterfield, a rottweiler owner for 11 years, and Mr. Fryer, a Policeman, knew of the dog.

"I was called immediately after it happened,'' said Mr Butterfield. "She (owner) did try her best to come to me for obedience training when the dog was younger. With rottweilers it's important that the dog is trained as early as five months.'' Mr Butterfield said to run from a dog is often the worst thing that can be done.

"If that dog did try to run it's only a natural thing to charge it.

Statistics show that in the US the dog that bites the most people or other dogs is the cocker spaniel.'' Mr Butterfield, who has been trained in the US in all facets of dog work, says there are some positive things being done with rottweilers, like search and rescue.

"You won't hear how a rottweiler pulled an invalid owner out of a burning truck in the US seconds before it exploded or how a rottweiler took a bite from a rattlesnake in the backyard of a house when it jumped in front of the snake just as it was about to strike a boy,'' he said.

While expressing sympathy over the death of the dog, both Mr Butterfield and Mr Fryer were also saddened to hear the rottweiler had been put down. "They needed to put discipline in the dog as early as possible so that he realises you are in control and not him,'' Mr Butterfield said.

"Training and socialising are most important. It also has a lot to do with breeding. That's why it's important to buy the dog from a reputable breeder because with pet stores you don't know the background of the dog.'' Said Mr Fryer: "In my opinion it's not the dog's fault but the owners fault.

"Anybody who buys a rottweiler must spend time with the dog. Rottweilers require a lot of attention. If you put in the time it's almost like having a child.'' Mr. Butterfield and Mr. Fryer are two of six men who call themselves Rottweiler Associates and own a female rottweiler called Nina. The two men, who breed rottweilers under the name Cha-Jon Rottweilers, also own Akasha which is expecting a litter in less than two weeks.

Along with other responsible rottweiler owners like Mr. Terrence Smith, Mr.

Marcelino Ferreira and Government dog warden Mr. Leonard (Shinah) Simons, they regularly show their pets in dog shows.

Mr. Fryer's rottweiler Bear, which was Best of Breed at the Bermuda All Breed Club show last weekend, left this week for a show in Canada.

He said: "I think it's a shame that the dog has been put down. It would have taken a couple of months to re-socialise the dog, in the same way people can be rehabilitated.''