Dangerous dogs 'have to be muzzled'

Dog owners are obliged by law to muzzle dogs that are temperamental or dangerous when they are in public, the Rural Affairs and Environment Ministry said.

In a statement, the ministry stressed that although some dog breeds are not dangerous by nature, they could become so through certain types of training or through the mixing of breeds.

The statement followed comments in the media after a Chihuahua-cross was killed by a pit bull in Sliema last month. The pit bull was on a leash but was not muzzled.

The owner of the Chihuahua had said she was now campaigning to have the law changed to ensure that dangerous dogs are muzzled in public.

The ministry said it was going to request the Animal Welfare Council to consider whether there was the need to make any amendments to the law.