R.I.P. Lennox – the fight is not over.
UPDATE: The final appeal has been denied and Lennox has been sentenced to death, according to the BBC. The high court judges of Northern Ireland have dismissed the application of the Barnes’ family, which was to force Judge Derek Rodgers to make his case of sentencing Lennox to death on points of law. The Barnes’ family has yet to speak about the decision.
(BBC news report)
As of MAY 10 2012 – The final appeal for Lennox’s release is set for May 24 and will be heard in the high court.
Lennox, a six year old American Bull Dog and Labrador mix, has become the victim of ignorance and fear among the corrupt court of the Belfast City Council in Northern Ireland. The prejudice known as “breedism” has reared its ugly head and taken aim at an 11 year old girl’s best friend. Now Lennox, guilty of only being born, has been sentenced to death after being housed in deplorable conditions that consist of concrete walls and a sawdust floor for 15 months. Lennox, the target of a canine witch hunt, is being made an example to the residents of Northern Ireland. And hundreds of thousands of animal lovers are calling for Lennox’s freedom and urging a change in the laws.
On September 30, 2011, Judge Derek Rodgers ruled against saving Lennox’s life, stating he “can not be satisfied that this dog is not a danger to the public.” This very same dog who has been a disabled girl’s companion since he was a puppy. Lennox was taken from his home of love and caring on May 19, 2010 by Belfast City Council dog wardens because after measuring his muzzle and rear leg, was determined to be of the “Pit bull type breed”. The Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 in Northern Ireland states that any dog that appears to be a Pit bull, Japanese tosa, Dogo argentino or Fila brasileiro is prohibited, regardless of whether that dog is actually one of these breeds.
A warrant was issued for the seizure of Lennox but the warrant was both incorrect and addressed to the wrong house. They took Lennox anyway. When the American Dog Breeder’s Association got wind of how the BCC dog wardens determined Lennox’s breed, they issued an immediate cease and desist order for using their previous but no longer certified breed guidelines for seizing Lennox. Thus making the seizure of Lennox illegal. However, according to the DDA of 1991, a dog not of the breed types listed can still be considered dangerous by the dog wardens and seized.
A 1997 Amendment to the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 allows families with dogs that are deemed “dangerous” to keep their family pet so long as the dog is neutered/spayed, microchipped, and muzzled and leashed when out of doors; all provisions the family of Lennox have abide by. To date, Northern Ireland has not accepted this amendment. Otherwise, Lennox would have been freed and sent home.
The first hearing was set for September 7, 2010 and finally happened on November 23, 2010. The court date for Lennox’s fate was set for February 2011 and occurred in late March. The Judge ruled to destroy Lennox and his family appealed the decision. The date of the court appeal was September 16, 2011 and the final decision was rendered September 30, 2011. The Judge stated Lennox was “unpredictable” and the expert witness for the BCC, ex-Metropolitan Police dog handler Peter Tallack, declared Lennox is “just waiting to go off”. Neither sentiment is scientific in nature nor do these statements have any basis in animal behavior.
A BCC dog warden, who testified under oath, committed perjury when she stated that she was too scared to go near Lennox and labeled him aggressive. In photographs circulating the internet, she is pictured with Lennox numerous times: kneeling next to him while he gives her kisses, sitting near him with his paw on her knee, sitting near him while she nuzzles his face and pats his head. Not in any one of these photographs does she look scared or unwilling to be near Lennox.
The Belfast City Council stands behind their decision, yet does not have to answer for the illegal seizure of Lennox or for one of their own committing perjury. There is no bite history or complaints lodged against Lennox – he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. While Judge Rodgers maintained he is sentencing Lennox to death so people can feel safe, there are thousands more who feel less safe. Thousands of individuals now live in fear – that one day, without provocation, their furry child (whom they love as they would or do their own human child) will be taken from their home and killed because someone has made the decision their beloved dog looks “dangerous”.
Man is the only species to kill with intent. Man is the only species to torture others. Is it time we round up every individual that looks “dangerous” on the basis they might do something wrong? Man has taken it upon himself to predict the future and use a power beyond human understanding – taking life into his own hands, playing God and issuing orders of death.
Lennox and hundreds of dogs like him are victims of ignorance and fear. Ignorance, acting on the lack of knowledge, is not bliss, it is a sin. Fear is merely false evidence appearing real. Ignorance and fear are at the center of all prejudice. It drove Hitler to eradicate Jews and Hussein to attack Americans. Now it is feeding a canine witch hunt with Lennox at the stake.
Lennox has until October 14, 2011 to be freed by way of a loophole in the law used to sentence him to death. Email [email protected] if you have any law expertise in regards to the Dangerous Dogs Act. Clearly and concisely send them transcripts, decisions, names and details of previous cases tried under this act. If you know of any legal advisors who are experts in this area, email them names and contacts.
The October 14 deadline for the fate of Lennox has been suspended until October 21, 2011.
As of OCT 21 – Lennox’s family has filed an appeal with a point-of-law argument to free Lennox. The appeal was filed on Friday, October 21, and could take up to three months to decide on Lennox’s fate.
As of JAN 25 2012 – An appeal was made on January 23, 2012 by Lennox’s family (as confirmed by same) in relation to the Judge presiding over the case. Earlier in January, the Judge upheld his own decision (same Judge who ruled against Lennox also heard the appeal) and upheld his original ruling. The new appeal is to have a new Judge hear the appeal to the ruling.
If you wish to express your concern regarding Lennox, please email the following addresses with a polite, clear letter.
Belfast City Council Complaints: [email protected]
Belfast City Council Chief Executive: [email protected]
Belfast City Council Dog Warden Department: [email protected]
Belfast City Council Dog Warden Manager:[email protected]
Prime Ministers Office: primeministersoffice
Northern Ireland Assembly: [email protected]
First & Deputy First Ministers Office:[email protected]
And if you wish to join the thousands in support of freeing Lennox, please visit Save Lennox.
http://www.savelennox.co.uk/
http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/dogwardens/dangerousdogs.asp
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1991/2292/article/3/made