UPDATE: The fate of Lennox has been sealed. In a statement released today, the Belfast City Council's wishes were granted. Lennox will be unjustly MURDERED, never to see his family again. Why did a verdict that should have been handed down September 16, be made public today, September 30? On the 16th, those deciding his fate "ran out of time" and could not come to a decision. They agreed to reconvene on September 23 to make their final decision. On that date, they agreed that the verdict would not be read until Friday, September 30.
What justified this decision? Absolutely nothing. The fate of Lennox was decided based on a series of "what if" scenarios and no actual evidence that Lennox was a threat to people or animals...What if he were released and bit someone? What if he were released and mauled someone? What if he were released and killed someone? His looks, regardless of his temperament decided his fate. Apparently, it was too much of a risk to let a dog who has never harmed a living being be released to the comforts of his home and family because there's always that risk of him harming someone or something based on his appearance. What type of world are we living in if this is the mindset of some of the people running our legal systems? What a scary thought...
What is the family of Lennox to do now? According the the BCC, "The Lennox family has a 14 day window in which to present evidence to the judge proving that he may have missed a legal loophole." With that said, if you know of anyone in Northern Ireland with a legal background willing to help Barnes' family in their examination of the laws please encourage them to offer their time and services.
So you're outraged, right? What can you do? Here's a start: Bombard the Belfast City Council's facebook page with your thoughts along with the 106,000 others who signed the official Save Lennox petition. Contact those responsible for that decision directly via email. Show your continued support for Lennox and his family in his last days and hope for a "loophole" to be found.
In just 24 short hours, the fate of sweet Lennox will be decided forever. Lennox is living in the United Kindom. Belfast, Northern Ireland to be exact.
As news of his story has traveled to our side of the pond, it can only be assumed that many of us Bostonians have ties to distant areas such as the UK and have hopefully heard the desperate pleas from Lennox’s family and followers alike.
“On the 19th May 2010, Lennox, a now six year old American Bull dog Labrador cross was wrongfully seized by Belfast City Council Dog Wardens from his loving family home where he lives with his owners and his kennel mates. Lennox committed no crime nor did any member of the public complain about him. Three Belfast City Council Dog Wardens came with the Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI) to his home unannounced. The Dog Wardens then told the Police to leave as there was no need for them at the location. The Belfast City Council Dog Wardens then had tea with his owners, smoked cigarettes, chatted, played with the other family dogs after which the Dog Wardens then measured Lennox’s muzzle and rear legs with a dress maker’s tape measure and decided on those measurements without seeking any professional advice that he was possible “Pit Bull Type Breed” and so he was led from his home to be put to death by the Council.”
What prompted Belfast City Council Dog Wardens to arrive, unannounced to Lennox’s home you ask? Reports of a Pit Bull type dog barking. No actual complaints of an attack, bite, or unruly behavior. Nothing.
Lennox has now been without his family for 484 days and counting. Tomorrow could quite possibly be his last day on earth. This is his last chance. No more appeals will be granted and for Lennox, his fate is looking grim, simply because of the way he looks.
His last 484 days have been spent in an undisclosed area. He has spent his prison sentence in a small kennel, filled with his own feces and a bed made out of sawdust. His family has not been allowed to see him since he was confiscated on that day back in May, 2010 but was able to see one photo of him in the time since he has been gone—a leaked photo that will break the heart of any dog lover.
Upon getting Lennox as a puppy, the Barnes’ family set out to be responsible dog owners. They had Lennox neutered, microchipped, insured, DNA registered, Pet Safe registered, and licensed. And to this day, the Belfast City Council has issued Lennox with an up-to-date dog license. There were no secrets with the Barnes family. Their dog was not aggressive or a threat to anyone in their community, yet he was taken way because he looks to be built like a “dangerous dog”.
His family is at a loss for words; at a loss for understanding. How can officials be so cruel? So unwilling to do what is right in the eyes of the law? Those questions have been raised thousands and thousands of times.
So, in this dire time, what can you do? Join the 79,555 people who have signed the only “official” Save Lennox petition to be presented at Lennox’s appeal tomorrow. Send an email to the countless number of individuals involved in this case, pleading for the safe return of Lennox to his loving family. Please check out Lennox’s facebook page and official website as well. They both contain a wealth of information on his case, and only lead one to believe that this truly IS an injustice for sweet Lennox and his family.
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Thank you for reading and sharing. Oftentimes, it can save a life!
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