Lennox the dog, a Pit Bull-Labrador mix, was murdered (euthanized) - put to death by order of the courts, in Belfast, N. Ireland, allegedly this past Tuesday, July 10. His "crime"? Being a Pit Bull-Labrador mix, emphasis on Pit Bull!
I found the story on CNN the other day, however the sad saga began over two years ago when Belfast authorities somehow got wind of Lennox the dog. They investigated a possible Pit Bull sighting - Pit Bulls are illegal in Northern Ireland - and found Lennox indeed living with Caroline Barnes, of Belfast, as a family pet. Lennox was seized immediately and confined for two years in a high security prison for dangerous animals. If the city had had it's way he would have been killed in short notice like other "dangerous animals".
In N. Ireland, like marijuana is in the US, Pitt Bulls are considered a serious threat to public safety. Lennox however was a mut. A mixed breed dog. He was 7 years old when imprisoned.
During his two years imprisoned on "death row", guards report Lennox was very good natured and gentle. The seizure trials, appeal process bought time, but according to the news article the city council was all for setting an example of Lennox.
In all the 7 years Caroline Barnes had Lennox, he threatened no one.
Over 200,000 people protested in an online petition to release Lennox. Northern Ireland's First Minister, Peter Robinson, appealed also. He's the man responsible for running the Country.
Victoria Stilwell, of "Animal Planet" fame, a very renowned expert with dogs, made a genuine offer to the city to take Lennox back to the states. The council and courts rejected her offer. They were adamant, as a way to protect the public, Lennox had to die.
Caroline Barnes never got to hold or say good-bye to Lennox. Appeals exhausted, Lennox was put to death in secret.
I don't think there's anything to add to this tragic story. Yes, it sickens me. Yes, to protect the public, certain laws are necessary... but all too often governments go over the line. And they think nothing of it.
Lennox had no choice over how or what he was born. Perhaps Caroline Barnes had a choice, but Lennox was a mixed breed dog, not a full bred Pit Bull. The moral here is the city showed no humanity, no thought for life. Lennox harmed no one. Yet Lennox was put to death, even with the offer by Victoria Stilwell to take him to the states.
It's murder. The unjust death of a living creature. No different than poachers around the world that kill for insane reasons.
My condolences to Caroline Barnes... and 1 strong shout of protest for the death of Lennox!
I found the story on CNN the other day, however the sad saga began over two years ago when Belfast authorities somehow got wind of Lennox the dog. They investigated a possible Pit Bull sighting - Pit Bulls are illegal in Northern Ireland - and found Lennox indeed living with Caroline Barnes, of Belfast, as a family pet. Lennox was seized immediately and confined for two years in a high security prison for dangerous animals. If the city had had it's way he would have been killed in short notice like other "dangerous animals".
In N. Ireland, like marijuana is in the US, Pitt Bulls are considered a serious threat to public safety. Lennox however was a mut. A mixed breed dog. He was 7 years old when imprisoned.
During his two years imprisoned on "death row", guards report Lennox was very good natured and gentle. The seizure trials, appeal process bought time, but according to the news article the city council was all for setting an example of Lennox.
In all the 7 years Caroline Barnes had Lennox, he threatened no one.
Over 200,000 people protested in an online petition to release Lennox. Northern Ireland's First Minister, Peter Robinson, appealed also. He's the man responsible for running the Country.
Victoria Stilwell, of "Animal Planet" fame, a very renowned expert with dogs, made a genuine offer to the city to take Lennox back to the states. The council and courts rejected her offer. They were adamant, as a way to protect the public, Lennox had to die.
Caroline Barnes never got to hold or say good-bye to Lennox. Appeals exhausted, Lennox was put to death in secret.
I don't think there's anything to add to this tragic story. Yes, it sickens me. Yes, to protect the public, certain laws are necessary... but all too often governments go over the line. And they think nothing of it.
Lennox had no choice over how or what he was born. Perhaps Caroline Barnes had a choice, but Lennox was a mixed breed dog, not a full bred Pit Bull. The moral here is the city showed no humanity, no thought for life. Lennox harmed no one. Yet Lennox was put to death, even with the offer by Victoria Stilwell to take him to the states.
It's murder. The unjust death of a living creature. No different than poachers around the world that kill for insane reasons.
My condolences to Caroline Barnes... and 1 strong shout of protest for the death of Lennox!
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