Today we have another big dog story from the Emerald Isle — this one from Northern Ireland. It’s not a good one, unfortunately, but your support for the dog may help make a difference. There’s a global campaign going on to save the life of a dog whose owners say he is an American Bulldog-Labrador cross, but who authorities took from them in May 2010 and put on doggy death row because of his likeness to a pit bull.
Breed-specific legislation is in full bloom in Northern Ireland, so pit bulls are illegal there. The dog, Lennox, would have long ago been killed if not for his family fighting in the courts with everything they have in order to get him back.
Lennox, 6, never committed any “crimes” when the family had him for five years, but authorities now say they view him as a public danger. Family members (one of whom is apparently a disabled and heartbroken 12-year-old girl) say he’s protective of them and wears a muzzle in public. Various reports say his people have always been incredibly responsible, having him microchipped, Safe Pet registered, DNA registered (and not a hint of Pittie, FYI), etc.
The Save Lennox Facebook page says, “If this was a human we would declare this racism. We ask every kind-hearted compassionate person for your support; don’t let them murder him. This may be our dog today but it could be your best friend tomorrow!”
And there’s even a plea from Lennox himself. Talk about a heartbreaker: “I have been taken from my loving family by Belfast City Council and locked up because of how I look, I want to go home to my family, I have never done anything wrong.”
Lennox has spent day after day, month after month, in a tiny, sawdust-covered kennel where supporters say he’s frequently left to live with poop all over the floor. It’s a far cry from the loving home life he once knew.
What could be a final ruling on his case is expected within a couple of weeks. A judge in September ruled that Lennox must be killed, and his family appealed. The judge has until January 20 to make his final decision.
More than 122,000 petition signatures have been collected so far. To sign the petition, click here. To learn more about this case, go to the Save Lennox website.
