Next week we will be back to our regularly scheduled content…but first, this powerful statement someone posted on Facebook about Lennox…and a link to an interview with Caroline Barnes about the toll the death of Lennox has had on her and her family…
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2012/0714/1224320029467.html#.UADXeGoGTwU.twitter
Perhaps some folks are puzzled. What? It’s only one dog. Thousands of dogs die every day. What’s the big deal? Not to be melodramatic, but to me that’s the same as saying that Rosa Parks was just another black woman getting on a bus. I know some of you will roll your eyes.
So, why are we all Lennox? Because Lennox was taken into custody, and judged as guilty, and ultimately put to death … not because of anything he actually did. Because of how he looked. This is called profiling.
So … I can only speak for my country, but I know there are examples in every country.
If you’re a woman, you’re Lennox.
If you’re black, you’re Lennox.
If you’re Hispanic, you’re Lennox.
If you’re sick, you’re Lennox.
If you’re poor, you’re Lennox.
If you’re old, you’re Lennox.
If you’re homeless, you’re Lennox.
This is not a story about one dog. This is a story about the “powerful” thinking they’re omniscient, and that they can do whatever they want to whomever they want without any consequences.
This sweet dog, who was a service dog to a little girl, might just, might just, wake us up to the fact that 99% of us “are Lennox.”
and that ain’t the end of the story, I would add… because we are shining the light on the corrupt miscreants and holding them accountable… and Justice and Love will Prevail…
I am Lennox
from the Barnes Family. Please take note of what it says!!!
****LENNOX…. It has come to light that some people are quite arrogantly trying to cash in in our boy. We have NOT permitted anyone to use Lennox’s name, photo, campaign in order to customize or sell items for profit or charity. Please do not buy any Lennox or I am Lennox items from any CAFEPRESS or internet pages as we have NOT permitted it and cannot assure monies will go to any charities these people claim to donate to. Pls share.”
So after the devastating loss and death of Lennox at the hands of the BCC early this week, it is way overdue time for some good news about pit bulls.
More and more cities in the USA are repealing breed discrimination bans and/or not passing them to begin with according to Best Friends Animal Society.
“From 2009 to 2011, 169 cities either have repealed BDL measures or chosen not to enact them. Additionally, 56 cities have enacted BDL measures. So far in 2012, 21 more jurisdictions have repealed BDL or chosen not to enact it, including the entire state of Ohio. Seven cities have enacted BDL.”
…”Advocates hope that Miami-Dade County will be the next jurisdiction to follow the trend, by repealing their 23-year-old ban on pit bull terrier-type dogs. Voters will have the opportunity to vote “yes” Aug 14 to repeal the law that targets dogs based on breed or type, allowing the seizure and impoundment of family pets for no other reason than the way the dog looks.”
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/7/prweb9697202.htm
One story from the UK gives greater insight into the Northern Ireland mentality regarding pit bulls…and I have to say that one thing that I learned through the entire Lennox fiasco is that in the USA we definitely have crazy people, racists, bigots, anti pit bull zealots AND it is WORSE in Northern Ireland where the dog racism, ignorance and prejudice against disabled people seems MUCH more entrenched and corruption reigns with little oversight.
Bruce is FREE at long last
It’s been almost three full years since Bruce, an American Staffordshire terrier, was seized under the United Kingdom’s 1991 draconian Dangerous Dog Act (DDA.) Before being removed from his home, Bruce was a happy pup who shared his life with a woman named Shannon and a yellow lab.
DDA Act
Much criticism has been rumbling about the infamous DDA Act which gives authority to kill any dog that resembles a pit bull, regardless of whether the dog has committed an act of aggression toward people, animals or even a chew toy for that matter.
Bruce lived in Northern Ireland where the DDA is the law of the land. Early on, a Southern Ireland rescue group specializing in bully breeds — East Galway Animal Rescue (EGAR) — had offered Bruce sanctuary. Not surprisingly, the judicial system moves as slowly in Ireland as it does in the United States. Despite a worldwide outpouring of attention and call to action last year, it wasn’t until now that Bruce was granted his freedom.
…Even with all the global support for Bruce, it still took the Irish courts another year before finally allowing him to be released to the custody of EGAR Sanctuary. But I’m happy to report he is now safe and living a charmed life at EGAR. In the end, and through all the frustration of governmental bureaucracy, a miracle named Bruce survived. Thanks to everyone who signed the petition, sent emails and made calls on Bruce’s behalf.
Aside from being drugged, apparently Northern Ireland felt it necessary to provide six Enforcement Officers to deliver Bruce to Gunther. “I opened their van door and said hello to the poor mite and attached the lead to his collar and he came out very unsteady,” said Gunther in an email to me. “ALL six jumped back and one hid behind my van with a catchpole. I told him there was no need for this contraption and led Bruce across the yard to my van. He clambered into my van and collapsed in the crate.”
To comply with the law, Gunther had to muzzle Bruce while driving through Northern Ireland. She was also given an escort out of Belfast and was forced to sign a document she would not stop in Northern Ireland. “This is ludicrous,” Gunther said. “It felt like I was transporting Hannibal Lecter.”
Indeed… but it certainly explains how the DDA came to be.
http://www.care2.com/causes/bruce-the-dog-sniffs-freedom-at-last.html
Plus, there were a few great victories against BSL in the US today:
The city of Aurelia, IA settles with James Sak to allow his pit bull service dog Snickers to live there despite a breed ban. They will also be paying his legal fees.
http://www.ktiv.com/story/19013139/service-dog-can-stay-after-aurelia-ia-settles-with-owner
State Farm Insurance
State Farm Insurance petitioned the court to reconsider the decision it made regarding the dangerous nature of pit bulls and pit bull mixes after the court’s April ruling.
Because of State Farm Insurance’s request, state delegate, Michael Smigiel, anticipates that landlords will not continue to evict tenants and shelters will not continue to euthanize dogs because of the type of dog they have in their care…at least until the court affirms its recent decision or Maryland’s legislature passes legislation condoning such behavior.
Mizeur predicts that once a pit bull bill is before Maryland’s general assembly, it will take only one or two days for the legislation to be agreed upon.
http://www.examiner.com/article/insurance-company-temporarily-saves-the-day-for-pit-bull-type-dogs-maryland
The attorney general of Maryland has stayed a ruling declaring pit bulls “inherently dangerous” under a motion of reconsideration.
http://www.examiner.com/article/maryland-pit-bull-law-stayed-as-court-considers-motion-for-reconsideration
The city of West Fork, Arkansas has denied a motion to enact BSL. In a statement the mayor said: “The animal is always a victim when its owner fails to recognize it for what is and treat it in the manner it was born to, a sentient being with its own genetic and cultural history. Animals are not our children and they are not human, but they are definitely entitled to be treated humanely”.
http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=672232
Also, gotta love ads that feature families and pibbles. If / when you are in the market for a hammock, here is where to get one… Grand Trunk…
Blog Hop time… thanks to Life with Dogs,Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume… grab the blog hop code…