More on Lennox

Save Lennox

Lennox supporters living in the UK can tune into The Wright Stuff on channel 5 at 9.15am later this morning (20th June 2012) with host Matthew Wright who will be discussing Lennox.

International Lennox supporters who cannot tune into the live show can however watch the recorded version later in the day once the programme has been uploaded to the channel 5 website. To watch the recorded version of The Wright Stuff international supporters should click on the below link after the programme has aired.

http://www.channel5.com/shows/the-wright-stuff

This was posted on FB this morning.....it was taken off of a Twitter feed.
I googled the title of the story...but I could not find the newspaper this was printed in.

I've found the story appearing in the Belfast Telegraph. They refer to him having spoken to the Daily Mirror, but I have searched their site and can't find the story. Sometimes things appear in paper editions and not online.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/n...o-fight-to-save-deathrow-lennox-16174348.html


There is an article in the Guardian today. There has been very little coverage of the story in the mainstream British press.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jun/20/lennox-killed-looking-like-pit-bull


P.S. The article in the Guardian explains some of the oddities of the law quite well.

Thank you, Clowie!!

Dog whisperer adds voice to fight to save death-row Lennox

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

On death row: Lennox awaits his fate

A TV dog whisperer has voiced his support in the fight to save Lennox the pit bull terrier sentenced to death by a court.
Renowned canine trainer Cesar Millan has said his team was working “to find a better solution” than the destruction order imposed by a court, which followed Belfast City Council’s decision that he was an illegally held dog by virtue of his breed.
Tweeting from his California home about Lennon, Millan said: “It’s a decision I truly don’t agree with. My team is working to find a better solution to help.”
Millan became a global celebrity after he displayed uncanny abilities to train and calm even the most dangerous dog.
A source told the Daily Mirror that doomed dog Lennox was just the type that Millan gets involved with. “He’s saddened by what happened to the dog and family.
"It’s a matter of working out what can be done and if the authorities would give him the chance.”

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/dog-whisperer-adds-voice-to-fight-to-save-deathrow-lennox-16174348.html#ixzz1yMR44vxO

This is Lennox. He is about to be killed for looking like a pit bull

In Northern Ireland, dogs can be sentenced to death after a tape measure 'proves' they are a pit bull

Beverley Cuddyguardian.co.uk, Wednesday 20 June 2012 03.55 EDT

'Lennox was even an unofficial assistance dog for the family’s 11-year-old daughter Brooke, who is registered disabled'

Last week in Belfast, the highest court in the land rejected the final appeal for a pet dog called Lennox to be saved. Only an appeal on a point of law in the next four weeks – or a pardon – can save him now.

If Lennox was a human, Amnesty International would have him as a poster boy. He was an adorable puppy, as you can see from the photos. His owner, Caroline Barnes, a former vet nurse, thought he was probably a mix of American bulldog, labrador and staffie – as a crossbreed, she didn't know how big he would grow. For his first five years, he was an adored family pet.

Then, one day in May 2010, he was placed on death row. He hasn't been seen by his owners since. He had done nothing wrong. Under Northern Ireland law, it is illegal to own a dog that looks like a pit bull and they can only be saved from execution if a judge rules they are "satisfied that the dog will not be a danger to the public". But this exemption is hardly ever used – to date, only one dog that I can find has survived being identified as a "pit bull type" in Northern Ireland.

In England, Scotland and Wales our unpopular and ineffective Dangerous Dogs Act was amended in 1997 to remove the mandatory death sentence for any dogs identified as pit bulls. Northern Ireland's devolution meant they no longer followed our dog laws, and they had to wait until 2011 and the Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 for well-behaved pit bull types to be given even the slightest chance of avoiding a death sentence.

Lennox in his cell

And so it was that a tape measure "proved" Lennox was a pit bull, effectively sentencing him to death. The dog warden measured the length of his legs and the width of his muzzle. These dimensions and ratios could fit many dogs that are definitely not genetically a pit bull. For example, a pit bull is said to have a femur that is shorter than its tibia. The court does not have to prove that the dog is definitely a pit bull, the burden of proof is on the owner to prove that their dog is not.

So was Lennox a danger to the public? He was always walked on a lead. The family's garden was well fenced, so he never roamed. He had an up-to-date dog licence. He was neutered, insured and microchipped. He was even an unofficial assistance dog for the family's 11-year-old daughter Brooke, who is registered disabled.

Three quite conflicting witnesses have reported on Lennox's behaviour, the judge preferring the most negative views. The most positive was dismissed out of hand.

Lennox allegedly jumped up at one of the three dog wardens who took him away from his family. As the dog trainer Victoria Stilwell says: "If all dogs who jump up on strangers in their house were guilty of being dangerous dogs, there would not be many dogs left in homes." But even the jumped-up jumping up charge is in dispute. I'm told by a family friend that Lennox actually tried to climb onto Caroline's lap "like a little child" to get away from the dog wardens.

The dog wardens claimed in court that they had been warned by an unnamed man at the house that Lennox could "rip their head off". That Lennox had lunged at one of them and hit her with his muzzle. The family deny these allegations – it's a classic "he said, she said". But before that day in 2010, the record shows that no one had ever complained about Lennox.

When 11-year-old Brooke first heard that her dog had been taken away she had a very serious asthma attack. For the last two years the family – who are new to being on the wrong side of the law – have devoted all their energies into fighting for Lennox's life. Almost 150,000 people have now signed their petition – almost a quarter of the population of Belfast. Some more radical supporters have gone further, starting a "boycott Belfast" campaign to shame the city into action.

Stilwell is not the only dog expert to back the campaign to free Lennox.Jim Crosby is an ex-cop who has assessed more than 30 dogs that have actually killed people. No one else on earth has as much experience of dangerous dogs as him. He has told the Northern Ireland first minister, Peter Robinson, that he is willing to fly over to Northern Ireland to assess Lennox. He hasn't yet had a reply, despite Robinson saying how much he disagrees with what is happening to Lennox.

Lennox has lost a lot of fur in the past two years

What does Crosby think about using a tape measure to assess whether a dog is dangerous? "I have seen dangerous dogs that looked like pit bulls, and like huskies, and rottweilers, and chihuahuas, and labradors … and on it goes. [Dangerous dogs] have as many faces as human killers. Yet they all have one thing in common: they have exhibited observed behaviour that shows they present a clear danger, or have behaved in a way that caused serious injury or death.

"I can't honestly say that I would have given Lennox a clear pass; that I never know until after I work with a dog, one on one. But Lennox would have got a fair evaluation, documenting the behaviour seen and quantified, from square one. The size of his head would not have mattered – it would have been the size of his heart that counted."

Being in Belfast city council's "care" may have driven the poor dog mad (he has lost a lot of fur, almost certainly due to stress) in which case it could be seen as a merciful release to see him put to rest. But if there is even a chance that Lennox is still the same good dog that loved his family, that has pined for them these last two years. Surely Crosby should be allowed to apply his years of experience to Lennox's case?

But the fact is, without an intervention from either the Queen or the secretary of state for Northern Ireland – or a last-minute point of law being found by the overworked legal aid team – Lennox will be killed within a month.

• Follow Comment is free on Twitter @commentisfree

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jun/20/lennox-killed-looking-like-pit-bull

Family Admits Defeat in Battle to Save Lennox

July 3, 2012Posted by ADMIN in Dog News

The Barnes family issued the following statement yesterday:

We apologise for the silence as we know our many friends and supporters around the world have been desperate for news but until we had further talks with our legal team we had nothing new to share. We needed to explore all possible options before we issued another statement as we did not wish to give those that have campaigned so tirelessly any false hope or for anything to be taken out of context as has happened in the past.

Whilst there may well be errors in the Judge’s ruling from a point of law this has little bearing on whether we can or should progress by taking the case to a higher court. The ruling is based on the Judge’s decision that he deems Lennox to be unsafe despite evidence given by those qualified to assess and understand dog behaviour that contradicts the testimony of the Prosecution that was presented in court. This has given us little room for manoeuvre.

Our concern and priority has always been the welfare of our beloved boy. We have fought to have Len returned to our family from the moment he was seized but we have been advised that the legal fight is at an end. We are obviously distraught but have to consider the impact that any future lengthy legal battle would have on Len if we chose to go against the advice that we have been given. We cannot subject him to any more as there are no grounds for a further appeal and we do not wish to prolong his suffering any longer by engaging in a battle that we simply cannot win.

We have attempted to write this statement many, many times but have struggled to put in writing that the fight to spare Lennox’s life may well be over. It has been almost impossible for us to accept that we have to admit defeat. We always believed that there was some hope and that justice would prevail. We were wrong. There have been many dark days for us since Len was taken and we want you all to know that it is your support and kindness that kept us going through the blackest times.

This is all we can share with you at the moment and we are finding it hard to come to terms with the fact that there is nothing more that we can do from a legal point of view and that Lennox may well be killed. We have one last hope that Belfast City Council will allow Lennox to be rehomed in the USA. The offer is there but we have no say in whether this offer will be accepted.

We have never refused to rehome Lennox. That decision was taken out of our hands from the moment Len took his final walk with us from our house to the Dog Warden’s van.

If the offer is turned down we will fight for our right to say goodbye. We cannot bear the thought that Lennox will die without being reminded of the hearts and hands that love him.

Thank you.

http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2012/07/family-admits-defeat-in-battle-to-save-lennox/

It must have been a really difficult decision for the family to make. Poor Lennox has been through so much.

Wow! I hope that's true.

There are still conflicting stories. On Twitter people claiming connections with the family are saying that no amnesty has been granted..

First Minister Peter Robinson's plea for death row dog Lennox

By Adrian Rutherford

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

On death row: Lennox

First Minister Peter Robinson has made a last-minute intervention to try and save the life of Lennox the dog, due to be put down by Belfast City Council this week.

Lennox, a seven-year-old illegal pitbull-type breed, has been at the centre of a legal battle spanning two years and has become a cause celebre around the world.

A celebrity trainer has also travelled to the city to make her own personal appeal for clemency and made an offer to rehome the dog.

Mr Robinson’s move came as angry animal rights activists around the globe mounted a last-ditch campaign to try and save the family pet.

Protesters took to the streets in America yesterday while others around the world bombarded the media with phone calls and emails calling for pressure to be put on the authorities to commute the dog’s death sentence.

Last month, Northern Ireland's top court rejected a legal bid from the dog’s owner, Caroline Barnes, to overturn the decision of two lower courts condemning Lennox to death.

A 28-day reprieve after the last court date runs out at midnight tonight.

The DUP leader said he had spoken to the Lord Mayor Gavin Robinson and suggested Belfast City Council “seriously look a rehoming option”. He asked: “Why exercise the order if there’s an alternative?”

Yesterday No Kill New York, a US-based animal rights group, staged protests outside the British and Irish consulates in the city to plead for Lennox’s life.

The Belfast Telegraph was inundated with emails and phone calls from all over the world last night as campaigners staged a final effort to save Lennox.

An avalanche of pleas from the US and UK and well as Australia, Sweden, Finland and Belgium swamped phones and computer mailboxes.

Some warned that “animal rights activists never forget an injustice” while others threatened a boycott of Belfast and Northern Ireland if Lennox is put down.

The Barnes family have admitted all legal options had been exhausted and that the fight to spare Lennox's life may be over.

“It has been almost impossible for us to accept that we have to admit defeat. We always believed there was some hope and that justice would prevail. We were wrong,” they said in a statement.

Victoria Stilwell, host of It's Me or the Dog on the Animal Planet network, met with Lennox’s family at the weekend and has offered to find him a new home in the United States.

“I have received the Barnes family’s approval to take Lennox, and while I can only imagine the heartache they would feel at seeing him go, they have said they would prefer him to have a happy life elsewhere rather than see it end,” she said.

“My long-standing private offer to absorb all of the cost and organise all of the travel arrangements to transport him at no expense to the Belfast City Council has been with those responsible for making the final decisions regarding Lennox for some time.”

Mr Robinson said: “As a dog lover I am very unhappy with the outcome of this case”.

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/first-minister-peter-robinsons-plea-for-death-row-dog-lennox-16183050.html#ixzz20BjoVNkT

Candlelight vigil in Belfast for Lennox tonight

• BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION
• JULY 10, 2012
• BY: BONNIE SNIDER

The hope of advocates has been that Lennox would be allowed to live

At 10:00 p.m.in Belfast, just a very short time from now, supporters living in the area are asked to attend a candlelight vigil forLennox in front of the Belfast City Council. Information about this event can be accessedhere or at the link provided below.


If you are unable to actually attend the event, you can click the "maybe" button, so that you can still share in it.
If you cannot attend, think about perhaps taking a picture of yourself holding a candle, if possible including your own beloved furry family members, and then post it to the Candlelight Vigil for Lennox Facebook page, or the Save Lennox Facebook page to show your support. These pictures are just another way to show support for Lennox, and to put faces with the names of the countless advocates who have been so dedicated in the fight to save this innocent life.

Video: Liberty for Lennox

The family today posted a statement on the Facebook Page "Save Lennox", which states:

Official Statement From Lennox's Family:

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all again for your messages of support. We are sorry to say at the present time Belfast city council seem to be intent on killing our boy. Despite previous assurances otherwise, we have been denied the opportunity to say goodbye. We have also been told that we cannot collect his body and bring Len home. We have been informed however that we will receive "some" ashes in the mail.

This statement in no way means that anyone is giving up hope for the option for Lennox to be rehomed to the United States. While becoming increasingly difficult, supporters want desperately to believe that a miracle will happen and Lennox's life will be spared. The information coming from both sides in this legal tug-of-war over this innocent dog seem to be saying that the worst is inevitable, however.

Advocates have been holding their breath since the clock ran out at midnight last night for the final day to file an appeal of Lennox's case. Social media was alight with misinformation, unconfirmed stories of clemency being granted, a review of Lennox's case to be ordered, and even downright statements that he was going to be allowed to come to the United States to live.
None of the stories were confirmed or proven to be true, and sadly they all took the focus off of what was most important, which was to continue speaking out in support of Lennox being allowed to live. Those activities came almost to a grinding halt, until supporters who knew the truth were able to get the word out that these claims were false, and to ask that the e-mails and calls still continue to be made.

This entire case has been heartbreaking for all animal advocates. Some channeled their rage in completely inappropriate ways, by making threats against the Belfast City Council. This caused the entire animal advocacy community to lose credibility, since those kinds of threats of physical violence serve absolutely no purpose, and can cause only more harm.
The anger behind it all is understandable, but this is a time for peaceful protests and intelligent comments to be made. No one will listen if the messages are full of ugly words and frightening threats. If you are sending messages, please keep them polite and free of any threats whatsoever.
No one knows at this moment if Lennox is still alive, or what has happened in the secret kennels today. The last thing this writer wants to have to do is to publish an article that says that Lennox has been killed.

Until there is some sort of official statement about Lennox's fate, the hope is that Lennox will get his miracle. Until those final words are said, we must all try to keep hope alive, and keep begging for mercy for this precious life.

http://www.examiner.com/article/candlelight-vigil-belfast-for-lennox-tonight

Light a candle tonight....it can't hurt.

RIP Lennox.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18794360

Save Lennox Campaign Fails After Belfast City Council Put Down 'Dangerous Dog'

Huffington Post UK | By Felicity Morse Posted: 11/07/2012 11:47 Updated: 11/07/2012 12:53

Belfast City Council have confirmed that 'death row' dog Lennox has been put down.
Despite campaigners waging a lengthy battle to save the seven-year-old pet, the council ruled that Lennox was "an illegal pit-bull terrier type" and should be destroyed for public safety.
A statement from the council on Wednesday morning confirmed his death:
"The dog Lennox, an illegal pit-bull terrier type, has been humanely put to sleep. This was in accordance with the Order of the County Court which was affirmed by the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal."
"Whilst there is an exemption scheme to which dogs of this type (pit-bull terrier type) may be admitted as an alternative to destruction, there were no such measures that could be applied in this case that would address the concerns relating to public safety.
"The Council’s expert described the dog as one of the most unpredictable and dangerous dogs he had come across," the statement added.

Lennox as a puppy: picture is taken from a Save Lennox campaign video and can be viewed below

Worldwide protests were held in Lennox's honour around the world after his owner Caroline Barnes announced last week that she would no longer be fighting to save her pet. The Save Lennox Facebook page has over 100,000 "likes" and a petition to save the dog has over 200,000 signatures.
A candle-lit vigil for the dog was held outside Belfast council buildings last night, and on Tuesday the First Minister of Northern Ireland waded into the row, urging the council to reconsider killing the pet, instead suggesting that the dog should be re-homed.
Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, and Victoria Stilwell, host of 'It's Me Or The Dog' , had offered to pay the expenses to relocate Lennox from Northern Ireland and bring him to the US to a sanctuary and freedom.

Lennox with his family: picture taken from the Save Lennox campaign: video can be seen below

Belfast City Council have received a number of angry emails after the publication of Lennox's plight. The dog was confiscated from his owners more than two years ago after Belfast council officials judged the dog to be a breed banned under the UK's Dangerous Dog Act (DDA).
The council warned against members of the public engaging in abusive behaviour following Wednesday's statement, writing:
"Over the past two years, Council officials have been subjected to a sustained campaign of abuse including threats of violence and death threats. The Council has been in ongoing contact with the PSNI in relation to that.

"The Council regrets that the court action was necessary but would emphasise that the safety of the public remains its key priority."
A statement from Lennox's owners was posted on the Save Lennox Facebook page last night. It read:
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all again for your messages of support. We are sorry to say at the present time Belfast city council seem to be intent on killing our boy.
"Despite previous assurances otherwise, we have been denied the opportunity to say goodbye. We have also been told that we cannot collect his body and bring Len home. We have been informed however that we will receive 'some' ashes in the mail."
Take a look at a video from the Save Lennox campaigners below.



http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/201...4186.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

RIP sweet sweet Lennox.

RIP Lennox, Run free buddy.. We pray you didnt die in vain..