Time runs out for Lennox
Lennox, locked up as he has been, hasn’t been running for two years now, but his story has, around the world.
Now it appears, despite a massive online campaign to save him, his time has run out.
After three court hearings, orders to execute him — because of his resemblance to a pit bull — have come down from the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. (Now there’s a scary title.)
The seven-year-old dog was seized in May 2010 from his owner, Caroline Barnes, after amendments to the Dangerous Dogs Act were extended to Northern Ireland in 2011.
Two lower courts have already ruled that he should be put down because he poses a risk to the public under that legislation, which declares all pit bull types dangerous.
During his year on death row, lawyers presented evidence that Lennox has never bitten anyone and has behaved well since being impounded, according to the Belfast Telegraph.
In the latest, and final, court decision, judges said dog wardens who tried to examine Lennox in May 2010 were told by a man that the dog would “rip their head off.”
An expert dog handler retained by the City Council concluded that the dog had a severe personality defect.
Experts presented in Lennox’s defense, meanwhile, described him as well-handled and a wonderful family dog, who served to comfort the Barnes special needs children before the city took him away.
“Lennox will essentially be killed for looking like a pit bull not actually acting like one,” Patrick Roberts opined in Irish Central.
“It is like saying every Catholic in Northern Ireland should be jailed because some in the past were violent.”
While a date hasn’t been specified, officials say his euthanization is imminent.
Posted by jwoestendiek June 14th, 2012 under Muttsblog.
Tags: animals, bans, belfast, breed specific legislation, campaign, caroline barnes, dangerous, dangerous dogs act, dogs, euthanasia, euthanize, execute, execution, internet, ireland, lennox, lord chief justice, online, pets, pit bull, pit bulls, pitbulls, put down, save, save lennox
Comments
Comment from Fiona Melhuish
Time June 14, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Where did you get the information his euthanisation is imminent? The latest on the Save Lennox website is that they are in talks with their lawyers, and it’s assumed the next case will be heard in London or the European Parliament.
Please sign his petition!
Comment from Naomi
Time June 26, 2012 at 11:58 pm
Belfast CC and the dog wardens will be despised by thousands worldwide if Lennox is not saved. There is no reason to kill an innocent dog. Lennox licked the face of one of those wardens. Pictures tell a thousand words. Stop the madness and free Lennox. All the dog experts say Lennox is NOT a danger to anyone. SAVE LENNOX. FREE LENNOX NOW!! Stop the coverup and the B. S.



























































Comment from robert schlosser
Time June 14, 2012 at 11:22 am
Go to the Belfast City Council Facebook page to voice displeasure- unfortunately it may be too late( plus they hired extra people just to constantly delete those comments)