Put down for looking like a pit bull

[Raven]

RIP Lennox

I've just heard about this on Facebook and thought to look into the story, It's been a 2 year battle, not sure how I have missed it, but my gods I can't imagine what the family must be going through. To have your pet snatched and condemned to death.



The pitbull terrier-type dog was seized by council officials after it was reported to be snarling/barking at wardens.

“Lennox isn’t a bad dog — he’s just frightened of people he doesn’t know. He is a big dog but he has no issue with anyone or anything, except strangers.



“If people came and saw how he behaves at home, how much a part of our family he is, they would make a different decision.”



Lennox was picked up by council dog wardens after the animal showed signs of aggression during a routine licence inspection.

Bloody hell, my dog growls and barks at strangers, does that mean he is a danger to the public? No it's a natural instinct to a dog!



Lennox was even given the option of being re-homed in the US but the judge said no.



The family were not allowed to say goodbye and not allowed to bring Lennox home, they have been told they will get 'some' ashes through the mail.



Absolutely disgraceful. This angers and upsets me so much.



http://www.express.c...andle-lit-vigil



The below site gives abit more background and description of the law in Belfast.

http://www.piaberren...dom-for-lennox/

 

[Jazzy]

This is very sad but there are issue that taken into consideration that makes me believe Lennox was indeed a threat:



The issues are as follows:

[background=rgb(0, 0, 0)]The court heard that officials were warned by Miss Barnes’ partner at the time that the dog would “rip your head off” if approached.[/background]

[background=rgb(0, 0, 0)]But animal behaviour expert Peter Tallaght said Lennox’s aggressive behaviour was “unusual”.[/background]

[background=rgb(0, 0, 0)]“As incredibly sad as it is, there is just so much risk in that dog being involved in a family environment,” he said.[/background]



[background=rgb(0, 0, 0)]Mr Tallaght told the court about an incident in which Lennox had tried to attack him as he shut him in a kennel.[/background]



[background=rgb(0, 0, 0)]“My professional opinion is that this dog is not safe,” he added.[/background]

Not only that, she knew this breed was banned but decided to take a chance:

[background=rgb(0, 0, 0)]The 1991 order bans the ownership, breeding and sale of certain types of dog used for fighting purposes — including, among others, pitbull terriers.The dog’s owner, Caroline Barnes, at first contested that her pet fell outside the definition, arguing that the animal was a crossbreed. She later accepted that Lennox’s size made him a pitbull terrier-type.[/background][background=rgb(0, 0, 0)] [/background]

In closing, you all know that I am an animal lover. Just because Lennox acted fine at home, did not make him harmless if he were to get loose.



RIP Lennox