St. Maarten Private Eye

Pitbulls outlawed

WILLEMSTAD – With the Island Council rushing the new dogs-ordinance through yesterday evening, the pitbull-like dog is definitely outlawed. As per immediate, the breeding of these dogs is banned, liable to punishment, and the idea is ultimately that this breed dies off completely.

The pitbull is not considered a breed, because they are bred especially on aggression. There is an estimate of 3000 to 4000 pitbull-like dogs on the island and these also include all sorts of crossbreeding between dogs like Dalmatians that are considered very amiable. For the time being, only the pitbull-like dogs are included in the ordinance; because most of the biting incidents happened with this type of dogs; and not only in Curacao, but also worldwide. This means that owners of Rottweiler, Fila Brasileira, and Dogo Argentine’s can be relieved, but chances are that in the future, these breeds may also be included in the ordinance. Rotweilers have attacked a child in at least two separate cases in the past two years. There won’t be a massive confiscation, since owners of pitbull-like dogs have to request an exemption for keeping their dog for as long as the animal lives. The owner must carry the exemption with him at all times, when walking the dog. Dogs with no exemption will be taken away from the owners and put to sleep. A 5000-fine will be imposed on the owner, or two-month imprisonment. The owner must also have a proper fence to make sure that the dog cannot get out. There are 39 features that can determine whether a dog is pitbull-like or not.