An import ban has been imposed on the fighting dog breed perro de presa canario under an order approved by Parliament this week.
The breed is commonly known as presa canario and none of the dogs are known to be in New Zealand.
Associate Local Government Minister Craig Foss said the ban,
recommended by the local government select committee, was a precautionary measure to stop the breed becoming established here.
"It is a large, heavy dog with powerful jaws ... the breed originates from the Canary Islands, where it has been used for organised dog fights," he said. "There have been two known fatal attacks in the United States involving the breed since 2001."
The presa canario is now on the banned list along with several other breeds, including the American pitbull.
