Mr Bronx’s future? Minister has a ‘paws’ for thought

Monday 28 November 2016

The Assistant Minister responsible for Mr Bronx’s future has yet to come to a decision on the dog's fate, although one of the options available to her is destruction of the animal.

A fortnight ago the courts decided that Mr Bronx should be classified as a pit bull terrier and under the UK Dangerous Dogs Act it is against the law to buy or sell certain types of dogs, including pit bulls, without a license.

Home Affairs Assistant Minister Deidre Mezbourian must now decide whether to give Mr Bronx’s owners a licence so they can keep the dog, or to order that it be destroyed.

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.

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.

After an extensive legal wrangle which culminated in the court case a fortnight ago, the family lost their case and Mr Bronx has now been held in kennels at the animals' shelter for the past ten months.

A petition has received support from thousands of Jersey residents and a beach walk for Mr Bronx was held at the weekend with hundreds taking part.

But they will have to wait a while longer as a Government of Jersey spokesperson today issued a statement saying the Assistant Minister had yet to reach her decision.

The statement reads: “Following the court’s confirmation that Mr Bronx is indeed a pit bull terrier type, and with no appeal against that ruling, we are now carefully considering all available options. Our approach to restricting the importation of certain breeds of dog is no different to that of many jurisdictions around the world, including the UK and France.

“We are acutely aware that this is a sensitive issue and we are striving to resolve it as quickly as possible. As was acknowledged during the legal proceedings, this has been a complex case and has taken longer than either party would have liked. However, the Assistant Minister now has a duty to properly assess any potential risks and consider all advice before arriving at a decision.”