HAMILTON, Bermuda — Efforts to tighten regulations on dog ownership remain stalled despite rising concerns over animal attacks. Although a new online dog relicensing system is set to launch soon, legislation aimed at improving animal control has been delayed.
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment confirmed last week that the proposed changes are still under “active review.” A spokesperson explained that the ministry, which now oversees dog-related policies, is examining ways to improve animal control, including promoting responsible dog ownership and updating existing regulations. The government is working on various legislative options, and further information on public awareness campaigns and potential changes to ticketing regulations will be released once final decisions are made.
In January 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs, which previously handled animal control, announced plans to introduce new legislation by the summer. The push came after a series of animal attacks, including incidents involving loose dogs that led to calls for fire department intervention. In response, a Canine Advisory Committee was established to provide recommendations on amending the Dogs Act of 2008.
Walter Roban, former Minister of Home Affairs, confirmed in July 2024 that the ministry had received input from the advisory committee, which suggested giving additional support to dog wardens and possibly restricting certain dog breeds. A ticketing system for minor offenses, expected to roll out last September, has yet to be implemented.
Government Response
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment reassured the public on Sunday that the revised dog policy remains a priority. A spokesperson acknowledged that delays, partly due to the February 2025 elections, have slowed progress but emphasized the government’s commitment to improving dog control legislation.
Minister of Public Works and Environment, Jaché Adams, discussed the issue during a recent budget debate, confirming that the Canine Advisory Committee’s recommendations are now under review. He outlined plans for continued efforts to enhance dog management, including new ticketing and citation regulations aimed at more effective enforcement and mandatory bite reporting for better data collection.
Adams also highlighted the work being done by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to raise awareness of the Dogs Act and promote responsible pet ownership. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, the DENR investigated 1,027 complaints, with a slight improvement in response time. However, Adams noted that these figures do not reflect the complexity of cases or the challenges of caring for 387 animals taken in by the department during the year.
The minister reiterated that irresponsible dog ownership and poor management have contributed to the rise in attacks. He emphasized that managing dogs is a shared responsibility and cannot fall solely on animal control officers. “Dogs should be treated as man’s best friend,” he stated.
Adams reported that 30% of eligible dogs were licensed in 2023, a modest increase from the previous year. However, he acknowledged that economic difficulties and a lack of awareness among dog owners were likely contributing factors to the low licensing rate.
Looking ahead, Adams set a target of licensing 40% of eligible dogs in the next fiscal year, supported by a public outreach campaign and stronger enforcement measures. He also mentioned that the long-awaited online relicensing system is nearly ready for public use after undergoing beta testing. This system will allow existing dog owners to renew licenses online, though it will not be available for new dog licenses due to necessary checks for new pets.
Slow Progress on Legislation
The delay in legislation has raised concerns among opposition members. Robin Tucker, the former Opposition Leader in the Senate, questioned last June why the proposed laws had not yet been implemented.
Despite the setbacks, the government remains focused on improving the current dog control laws to enhance public safety and encourage responsible pet ownership in Bermuda.