Mr Bronx: now States members to discuss his case

Monday 28 November 2016

A Jersey politician is quizzing the Home Affairs minister in the States on Tuesday to find out if Customs officers have the skills and resources to identify and detain certain breeds of dogs.

Deputy Tracey Vallois’ questions to Deputy Kristina Moore come in the wake of the recent furore over Mr Bronx.

The Gomes family imported the seven-and-a-half week old pup into the Island as a pet for their three-year-old daughter in September last year without any problems. But, in November, the family and dog went on holiday to France, and were stopped by Customs on their return. They spotted the dog and questioned the family about him.

Under the UK Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 it is against the law to buy or sell certain types of dogs including pit bulls. The Gomes family say, because the officers thought the dog was a pit bull-type they photographed it and sent the pictures to a UK expert. He said the dog was too young and no definitive answer could be given straight away.

In February Customs contacted the family again and told them Mr Bronx was being impounded and would have to stay at the Animals’ Shelter until he could be assessed. Although an independent expert, paid for by the family determined the dog was not a pit bull,  a Customs’ expert disagreed, a decision that was recently upheld in court.

Over the weekend a group of dog walkers gathered at Green Island to show support for him. The dog’s future is now unclear. 

In the meantime though Deputy Valois wants to find out more about the skills and resources available to Customs in case a similar situation comes up again.