Residents may soon be able to import 'banned' dogs such as pitbulls, bull terriers, rottweilers and mastiffs — as long as they can prove themselves to be "responsible dog owners".

Government is to set up a Dog Authority to "consider applications for persons who wish to import or breed dogs that are currently restricted".

The 2003 'banned' list featured dozens of 'dangerous' dogs.

Government, however, now appears ready to scratch the ban, with a review of the restrictions on importation and breeding. Yesterday, an Environment Ministry spokesman disclosed that Minister El James has now requested the establishment of a 'Dog Authority'.

The Government spokesman said: "The Ministry is moving forward with the establishment of a Dog Authority as requested by the Minister. This Authority would consider applications for persons who wish to import or breed dogs that are currently restricted.

"The point of having an Authority is to be able to give consideration to good, responsible dog owners who have historically not been problematic, but who have been caught by the current restrictions that resulted from the misdeeds of unsocialised dogs and irresponsible owners."

Dr. Neil Burnie of Endsmeet Animal Hospital has long been an advocate that many dogs on the banned list can make loving family pets. He said: "I am delighted to see that Government is actually placing the onus on responsible dog ownership rather than a blanket breed ban. It has always been my view and that of other knowledgeable individuals within the veterinary business and legislation that the onus should be placed on the owner and not on the authorities, so the owner should be responsible for the care and condition of the dog."

Dr. Burnie, a former Government veterinarian, said: "Certain breeds which may require more diligent controls should still be permitted importation and breeding, but subject to more stringent controls in the keeping of the dog."

Deputy Premier Paula Cox first announced Government was to review the 'dangerous' dog ban in her Budget speech. Ms Cox said on February 15: "There is currently a policy in place which restricts the importation and breeding of dogs of certain breeds. This policy will be reviewed to ensure that dogs, dog owners and the public are protected while ensuring that dog owners and breeders have greater freedom of choice in selecting their dogs."

That same month, Government met with several dog groups to review the ban. An Environment Ministry spokesman told The Royal Gazette the time had come to reconsider the legislation, as part of a general review of dog laws under the Dogs Act 2008.

The spokesman said at the time: "This is not a (Government) backtrack, but an acknowledgement that the prohibition has been effective and the time has come to review the policy."

The Department of Environmental Protection stopped breeding and import permits for certain breeds in 2003 out of "a deep concern for public safety". According to 2007 statistics, since then complaints of dog bites have dropped by 59 percent and accounts of cruelty by owners have fallen by 73 percent, from 169 in 2001-03 to 45 in 2005-07.

Under the Dogs Act 2008 — passed in the House of Assembly ten days ago, the Environment Minister will be given powers to "make regulations" in terms of leashing, muzzling, the exclusion of dogs from certain places, special licensing conditions for breeding, dogs socialisation and "the controlling of dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs".

The Act states these regulations could be made specific "to the divisions of dogs into different breeds or kinds of categories", with various offences and penalties.

A Government spokesman said the provision — under Clause 31, "allows the Minister to make regulations pertaining to dangerous dogs and potentially dangerous dogs".

l The 2003 'banned' list includes: Akita, American Bulldog, American Pitbull terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Argentine mastiff (Dogo Argentino), Aryan Molossus, Australian Dingo, Boerboel, Brazilian mastiff (Fila Brasileiro), Bull Terrier & Miniature Bull Terrier, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Danish Broholmer, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa (Tosa Inu), Mastiff, Neopolitan Mastiff, Perro de Presa Canario, Perro de Presa Mallorquin, Rottweiler, Tibetan Mastiff, and Wolf & Wolf Hybrid. Crossbreeds are also included.