Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson's ability to head his department came under question this week after he played down the problem with dogs on the Island.

Veterinary surgeon and chairman of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Andrew Madeiros said he doubted whether Mr. Hodgson knew what was going on in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries after he was reported (on the radio) as saying he had seen nothing to substantiate claims that problems with dogs were on such a massive increase.

Mr. Hodgson hit back late last week to accuse Dr. Madeiros of staying quiet about the issues until after legislation was passed. And he challenged him to come forward with practical solutions which he promised to consider.

The Minister said the main issue was indiscriminate breeding, which he admitted needed to be tackled, but said he believed other concerns, such as dog fighting and cruelty, were not as major as some would believe.

His comments followed reports by The Royal Gazette about a record number of dogs waiting to be taken into the already full Government and separate SPCA kennels.

And last week at a public meeting, a call went out for people to lobby Government to spend more cash hiring additional dog wardens, providing more kennels and ensuring cases moved through the courts quicker.

Mr. Hodgson said he was considering hiring extra wardens, but no commitment was given.

Dr. Madeiros said: "The mind boggles when someone in his position can play down such a problem as this when everybody is trying to explain to him what is going on.

"If it is not such a big issue, why is everybody complaining about it and saying more must be done? "From my experience, I don't think he has a clue what is going on in his own department.

"I know the Government vet and the Government dog wardens and I can't believe they are telling him there is not such a problem and that he does not have to address it.

"Everybody involved in this field has had meetings, and I have met with Mr.

Hodgson, and everyone has agreed that there is a huge problem and unless we address it now, it will become greater.

"We need more dog wardens, more kennels and better facilities to get cases brought to court more quickly. If any one of those things is deficient, it will not work.'' He agreed much of the problem came from illegal breeding, but added that people were being allowed to have dogs when they obviously could not afford to care for and treat them and had little room for them.

see also Animal rights activist makes progress Hodgson hits back at critics As a result, many dogs were subjected to some form of neglect and cruelty, whether it was intentional or not.

He said questions should be raised about why the pit bull terrier and American bull dog population had exploded to such an extent in the last few years.

"The increase is so significant, it has to be linked with dog fighting in some way.'' Mr. Hodgson said Mr. Madeiros had produced a report for his department in 1995, but had said nothing about it since then. He made no contribution when the legislation was being framed and only began criticising afterward.

He said: "Nothing had been done about his report when I came to office, but I decided to act upon it. Before then, I released it to the Press, gave publicity to it and put it before the House of Assembly.

"There was no response from him or his committee. I made it absolutely clear that I was willing to consider any issues that any member of the public raises.

"Since then, he has been to see me and I have written to him. He wanted more dog wardens and I gave a commitment to work towards that.

"They wanted contracts with private vets and I asked them to draft what they wanted. I haven't heard from them since.

"There were some issues, including muzzling, which the vets were not in agreement among themselves and I gave no undertaking with respect to those.'' Regarding the allegation he did not know what was going on in his own department, he said: "Far be it for me to be critical of his opinion, but I inherited the department 18 months ago and I hardly think a disaster has suddenly taken place.'' Anyone with views on dogs in Bermuda can write to Director of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries John Barnes, at PO Box HM834, Hamilton HMCX.

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