The background
Lennox, the pit bull-type dog at the heart of the battle between animal rights campaigners and Belfast City Council has been destroyed. A Belfast City Council spokesman confirmed Wednesday morning that : “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. ” Read the full statement here.
Lennox had been taken from his disabled owner in 2010 by Belfast City Council (BCC) under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Lennox had not actually been involved in any dangerous dog acts but had been assessed as a danger to the public by the council’s dog experts due to his unpredictability. Lennox was impounded in 2010 and his family fought hard for his release in the courts. The council’s hard line (multiple offers from members of the public to re-home Lennox were rejected) sparked outrage and a global campaign to save Lennox on Facebook and Twitter.
The tweets
The news of Lennox’s death has saddened animal rights campaigners and others on Twitter who have taken to the micro-blogging site to voice their anger and disapproval.
Keeping a dog in jail for 2 years then cruelly ending its life for no good reason. Shame on you Belfast City Council! #Lennox
— Dr Muriel Brasseur (@Widgetty) July 11, 2012
Truly hope that the unbelievably outrageous and tragic Lennox story out of Belfast will get people considering the ridiculousness of #BSL
— Amanda McCormick (@AmandaMcCormick) July 11, 2012
Always wanted to go to Ireland but after all this with #LENNOX Belfast is one place I’ll never be visiting,@belfastcc #SAVELENNOX
— Alicia Lara (@AliciaLaraLA) July 11, 2012
RIP Lennox – a gentle loving soul who never hurt anyone. Murdered by Belfast City Council @belfastcc & Breed Specific Legislation #RIPLennox
— Sophie Joy Zoghbi (@SophlovesStorm) July 11, 2012
It’s too late to #SaveLennox. My heart goes out to the Barnes family & the good citizens of Belfast who have a cowardly council.RIP Lennox.
— JacquelinedeFloris (@SisyphusJournal) July 11, 2012
The only dangerous thing about #Lennox is that Belfast City Council got a hold of him. Killing a beloved family pet that never hurt a soul.
— Karina in Toronto (@KarinaInTO) July 11, 2012
We are offering an anon way for any Belfast Council employees to speak out about Lennox. Email us in confidence lennox@PawesomeService.com
— Dhyani @Pawesome(@PawesomeService) July 11, 2012