Just got word from Belfast that the Judge in Lennox case, which went to court today, has ruled that he be put down. And appeal is being filed. The fight is not over.
Also, in the, “how to kick you when you are down” segment, the Belfast Council wants payment for all the inhumane care and kenneling provided over last 11 months for Lennox.
As I get more info, I will update this page.
Breed Specific Legislation is an antiquated law full of falsehoods and breedism. If ever there was a time to rally the forces to strike down these laws, it is now. If we don’t, they will just get worse and maybe one day you’ll get a knock on your door by Animal Control. And they will tell you that your dog looks wrong, or is too big, or has a wide face, or maybe bares a resemblance to a dog they have deemed dangerous.
If that happens, like it did to Lennox, it won’t matter what you say. It won’t matter how much you cry. It won’t matter that your pup has never done anything wrong. They will take your dog, your best friend, your family member.
And you’ll wonder why you did nothing when they brought BSL to your town.
— Kenn Bell
#SaveLennox
The Dog Files pledges our support to Lennox and all the other dogs and their families that are under attack because of how they look.
You can start helping by reading Lennox’s story below and then checking out their site at www.savelennox.co.uk
And for folks saying that you don’t have to worry because Lennox’s story is from Northern Ireland and not where you live in America, you are wrong. It’s happening all over the USA (and Canada).
Watch the video below to learn about Pit Bulls and BSL.
LENNOX’S STORY
Hi I’m a 5 year old American Bull dog Labrador cross and Belfast City Council want to put me to death because of how I look, I have never done any wrong. Please can you help me? I want to go home!
On May 19, 2010, Lennox, a five year old American Bull Dog Labrador mix was wrongfully seized by Belfast City Council Dog Wardens from his loving family home where he lives with his owners. 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 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 a possible “Pit Bull Type Breed” and so he was led from his home to be put to death by the Council. Northern Ireland has yet to fully implement the same dog legislation as mainland UK; if Northern Ireland were to complete the dog legislation here then Lennox could now be at home with his family and they would not now be facing legal prosecution. The USPCA said the law in Northern Ireland could be changed simply and rather quickly by an order in Council.
Lennox’s family have done more than required by the law as responsible dog owners who also foster dogs for various Northern Ireland dog shelters. When Lennox was a puppy his owners had him neutered, licensed, insured, DNA registered, Pet Safe registered and micro chipped and although the Belfast City Council have issued a dog licence for Lennox for the last five years and continue to do so today, the Council now find the need to class him as a Pit Bull type dog and murder him. On the day Lennox was ripped from his family home the Belfast City Council issued his owner with a warrant of seizure which was incorrectly addressed and was for another location, furthermore the Council used the ADBA Inc (American Dog Breeders Association Incorporated) breed standards guide to help identify Lennox as possible Pit Bull type. It has now become clear that the Council used this ADBA breed standards guide illegally breaking international and Berne copyright laws as Belfast City Council have never been authorised by the ADBA to use the copyrighted breed standards guide in full or derived version. Since Lennox’s seizure the ADBA have issued the Belfast City Council with ‘Cease & Desist’ orders due to the Council’s unauthorised continued use of ADBA material.
Lennox’s owners have only been contacted once by the Belfast City Council and this was two hours after Lennox had been taken. One of the Dog Wardens who seized Lennox telephoned Lennox’s owner to say “If you do not sign him over to us to be destroyed then you will most certainly lose your job as we will force a prosecution upon you through the courts.” On many attempts the family have telephoned the Council’s Dog Control Manager but to date the Manager has never taken the families call or returned any calls. Lennox’s family have never been told where he is being kept, what condition he is in, what type of care, feeding or regular exercise he receives, if any. Lennox’s family have repeatedly requested visitation to see what condition he is in however the Dog Control Manager for Belfast City Council Dog Wardens Department has continually refused all requests through the families Solicitor. Photographs of Lennox have emerged recently and have been passed to the family which clearly show Lennox in a cold inhumane concrete kennel which is visibly too small, there are no visible signs of a constant fresh water supply, heating, toys for stimulation and the photographs show Lennox sitting upright in a box type bed surrounded by his own faeces with only saw dust for bedding which many dog experts have agreed is harmful to dogs and unsuitable for bedding, yet Belfast City Council Dog Wardens Department have stated they practice humane animal welfare as set out by the DARD (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development). After studying the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is clear that none of Lennox’s welfare needs are being met at this undisclosed Council contracted kennel.
Local leading MP’s joined in support of Lennox stating in the Belfast Telegraph and other media they were “Appalled” by the seizure and treatment of Lennox and his family. A global campaign which boasts hundreds of thousands of supporters and petition signatures has begun in support of Lennox’s freedom. The ADBA Inc, various Animal Rights groups, Animal Welfare organisations, Veterinarians, Dog Breed and Behaviourist Experts have all gave their support for Lennox’s freedom and many supporters who are regular tourists to Northern Ireland have went further to state they will not return to Northern Ireland until Lennox is returned to his home. The most heartfelt plea of all was heard from Brooke, the owners eleven year old Daughter who is registered disabled. Lennox grew up around Brooke and the two became inseparable. Due to Brooke’s illness she is unable to play each day with other children and so found Lennox to always be there as a playmate and someone to be of comfort to her. Since her best friend was taken Brooke has missed much School due to suffering health and unneeded stress caused by missing her dog. Brooke’s specialist Doctor at Belfast Royal Hospital for Sick Children has also expressed growing concern for the child’s separation from her pet.
We ask for your help to Save Lennox, stop his incarceration and stop him from being put to death by Belfast City Council who wrongfully took him. If you have any compassion you will clearly see that far too many wrongs and errors have been made by the Council in the seizure of this much loved family pet and you will help correct a wrong. Please help this little girl become reunited with her best friend.
I think the Judge received his degree in law from a cracker jack box, what a dumb idiot, he obviously knows nothing about the breed of either dog (lab&pit), I think hes a very bored individual who should retire and live in filth for awhile. The Pitties are not dangerous and there are many articles to prove this point. There are far more serious crimes he should concentrate his thoughts on, and a little hint to the asshole… maybe you should be putting more two legged as wipes down, the ones that are a true risk to society and when your sitting on your throne maybe you should pick up a book to educate yourself on the pit bull itself!!
Does the judge have a medical degree or background ? Has the dog been seen by professionals to make the ruling ? Pit Bulls and other Dogs do NOT have vicious natures. It is the OWNERS that teach any Animal that type of behavior.
Does the judge have pets ? This case should be televised throughout the world. Has anyone contacted TV stations, newspapers etc ? Lets bring attention to this judge and to the fate of every animal !
Contact PETA, HUmane Society and others for help
I think whom ever took this dog needs to be put down, The judge needs theopy after seeing what conditions he lives in now . So take a dog that helps people and has not brought harm to anyone just cause his breed something is wrong with judge that has no heart. PLEASE let this dog live and let him help people. The judge has a problemwith this dog maybe he need to go see where he’s at now. CRUEL CRUEL , What would Jesus do your honor. please get this judge some educations on DOGS.
I see your words are harsh and truly felt by many. I just hope the person who calls himself
a judge has access to reading such comments to hopefully see how people view his
very stupid ruling.
Why should those of us whose dog has the wrong face or shape live in fear? Even when that dog adores people? How is this safeguarding the general public? Let’s concentrate on those dogs which DO pose a threat. Of WHATEVER breed. End BSL.
Words fail me, how can you order an innocent family member to be destroyed because of his looks? Lennox is innocent, how can you not see that, justice needs to be done, send Lennox home! Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty and what exactly is he guilty of, he has commited no crime. Belfast city council should be ashamed of themselves!
Thank you Kenn, for taking up Lennox’s case, he needs as many people to challenge this disgraceful law. It was brought in as a hasty kneejerk response to tabloid headlines and is against every moral code you could think of. The RSPCA, Dogs Trust, The Kennel Club and Vets representitives have worked on an alternative law that is being studied in The House Of Lords as we speak, ending BSL in the UK and making the law Deed not Breed. I don’t know how long this law will take to be passed, it’s still early days but we need to put as much public pressure on the Belfast Council.
ok this is evil how can they just kill lennox just cuz of a misjudgement of a breed? disgusting people at bsl all desearve to be shot. that puppy is loved and well trained and just wants to live his life without hurting anyone. what a beautiful video, i hope lennox is set free and returned to his owners alive and well.we need to save lennox before the bsl assholes kill another dog thats innocent . these bsl people better go get real jobs lol there a joke , nothing else. . that 11 yr old girl just wants her dog back . bsl grow up uyou people are sick
Absolute disgrace! Get that beautiful animal back to it’s caring family where it belongs. Has it bitten anyone? No? So who precisely is being protected here, all I see is an innocent animal and it’s loving family who need protection from these idiots who claim to understand the law. Utter madness and if anything shoukd happen to this dog there should be a public outcry.
My heart is breaking for this family. I hope and pray that the judge comes to his senses. Instead of ruling in favor of this sweet creature being returned to his loving family it seems that he has become irritated by their pleas and devotion to securing his release. Please reconsider and release this baby to his family!
My heart is breaking for this family. I hope and pray that the judge comes to his senses. Instead of ruling in favor of this sweet creature being returned to his loving family it seems that he has become irritated by their pleas and devotion to securing his release. Please reconsider and release this baby to his family!
These are not humans, they are evil for ruling this way!! God will take care of them!! I will do whatever you need to help Lennox and his family!! I can be found on facebook under Lisa Replogle Shoenfelt!!
humans are the vicious animals…. this breed called people is a disgrace!!
SEND LENNOX HOME NOW!!!!!! Is there anything more disgusting than “people” in authority that don’t know what in the hell they are doing. This judge got his degree from “Asshole University.” Show us his face, surely we want to euthanize him, too…………Cage him in feces and urine first………
They would have to bust my door down and take me out in a box before I would let them take my dog….but somebody would be going with me………
Me too, There would be carnage. I was just told that in some states, Border Collies are classed as a dangerous breed if they’re 30 pounds or over. Lucky my lad Indy is 23 pounds.
Well, I don’t think Ireland will be a place I would spend my tourism dollars now ~ heck, I might ‘look like’ someone that has ‘criminal intent’.
Please Ireland, wake up and smell the coffee … you accepted license fees for his registration tags for 5 whole years and there was no problem. He has hurt no one. Some ‘keener’ decided he looked like a pit bull … doesn’t sound overly scientific to me, where’s the DNA evidence?
What a misscarrige of justice!!!!!! My heart goes out to this family and of course the innocent animal involved. Lets hope enough support is rallied to stop this sham, get Lennox home and hopefully stop it happening to others!
It’s clear that all that money spent on education didn’t afford members of the council OR the judge compassion or common sense. Just a lot of oogedy boogedy scare garbage.
Gentlemen: GROW UP.
if they had a heart they would have never taken that dog from that little girl..even if he was a pit bull who says he is dangerous? i have a friend that has 3 pits and they are very loving and affectionate dogs…its all in how the owners raise the dog and to me it sounds like these owners of lennox have done what they are supposed to do and raised a very friendly, loving dog..i mean come on he clicks with their 11 year old sick child… who could ask for more from a family pet? bottom line is they took that little girls dog away from her and for no apparent reason…so what if his face is a little big that doesnt mean his attitude is big….FOR THE FAMILY OF LENNOX…I WISH YOU THE VERY BEST AND YOU WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS…DON’T GIVE UP YOUR FIGHT, TAKE IT TO THE VERY END AND GET YOUR FAMILY MEMBER BACK..
I am totally shocked and disgusted by todays outcome , how can this outrage be allowed when the dog has never bitten anyone ?
Did the court, or anyone else, order a DNA test to prove or disprove the dogs lineage? I have a dog who looks like a lab, yet there is NO lab in his DNA.
the DNA wasnt used in court apparently 🙁
dna was done and the court would not accept it, it is quite apparent that the Barnes were targeted, bullied by these so call humans. If you do research you will see the dog officer playing with Lennox during the home visit, after these non humans had their tea and crumpets, one of them pulls out the tape measurement to size up Lennox, upon his determination, well, thanks for the tea but now we must take your dog!!! The trauma this family and Lennox went through was horrific at best.
i think thats obsurd to make a decision just based on looks espcially since the dog has never done anything to harm anyone. just because of peoples fear of dogs that no fair to judge every dog would that make sense to take an innocent tea cup poodle for example and put it down just because it had large teeth? what you say u say oh this dog had hugeteeth it might hurt someone so we need to get rid of it in the meantime its the sweetest most best behaved dog ever thats awful the judge prpbably has a fear of this type of dog himself so this probably factored in his decision not impressed.
I have a pit bull mix and it is the most loving and smartest dog I have ever owned. Gentle with my Granddaughter and everyone! Please do not base you decision on the breed of dog. I bet you have never even seen this dog to make your decision. I hope no one ever thinks YOU are dangerous without checking you out!
I have a pit bull mix and it is the most loving and smartest dog I have ever owned. Gentle with my Granddaughter and everyone! Please do not base you decision on the breed of dog. I bet you have never even seen this dog to make your decision. I hope no one ever thinks YOU are dangerous without checking you out!
Can we put the judge down!
Who the hell gives them the right. The dog didn’t do anything wrong. My pitbull was charged a few years ago for biting some one and the person did not have a mark nor did they go to a hospital. But I had to go to township and defend my baby boy. They told me that me dog had to be muzzled at all times. The sad part was that one day I was walking him on a leash and he was muzzled, another dog that was not leashed can and attacked my dog. That breed was a spitz a small breed. My dog was never the same after that and I had to put him to sleep. What the hell is wrong with the world to day? THERE MORE BAD OWNERS THEN THERE ARE BAD DOGS. STOP JUDGING ON LOOKS BECAUSE LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING.
You question “who gave them the right” You did by voting this SCUM into Power.To rectify,call an election and vote these Terrorist Bastards out.
well I live in Canada. And the people in power are not the ones I voted for. I do not believe in breed banding.
WTF!!! that it, thats all WTF!!! maybe council should be looked at maybe one of them may look like a mudering type and should be taken of his job and brought to prison, just because he looks the type!!! oh well buddy you look like you are a murder so f your life, see ya later!! then what? ?? seriously there is people out there that need help with sheltor, food, jobs…do something about that!! stop sittin on your asses sippin tea with the neighbors, smokin your ciggarettes, wonder whos life you can ruin for no reason whatsoever and start forcusing on what really matters
Very simple Vote the Bum out of Power.
This absolutely breaks my heart. BSL is nothing more than humans transferring their prejudice and discrimination to dogs. Unbelievable.
The kicker is that I know of a dog that EVERYONE thought was a pittie for sure. DNA testing proved he wasn’t – AT ALL. This is just tragic.
What a travesty, all around! 10 months! Court should be fined for mistreating a dog…and a family!! Belfast is going to be internationally known for their utter stupidity and cruelty in this absurd case! Still think that whoever took pics of this poor dog should have had the guts to open the cage and take this dog somewhere safe and hide him! Back to the dark ages of ignorance!! And then, to expect the family to pay for 10 months of the dog’s imprisonment! Total freak show among humans!!
COUNTERATTACK! Investigate this judge. Doesn’t seem he lived a “normal life”. Check him, follow him, take pictures of him… he could be disbar… He knows nothing about dogs. Let’s make him pass a test to see his dog-IQ.
With an educated guess,most animal’s I.Q would be somewhat higher than this Crooked Judge.
It’s not the judge as much as the law and the tactics of the council. They can only work within the law and the law is probably the worst BSL on the planet. If Lennox was on mainland UK the dog wouldn’t be destroyed in these circumstances. Even though our law in Britain is bad the Northern Ireland Assembly law is even worse.
Yeah! Great idea! Maybe a DNA test could be done on the judge – just to make sure he is human!
This story is so sad. I can’t believe that they just took Lennox. The judge & the wardens seem to not have any compassion for animals.
I’ll tell you this if some f*cker tried to take my dog I’d be in jail,they would be dead or I’d be dead but I know I would snap. This is why I like animals better then pple cas pple judge what they don’t know and are stupid. Looking at the dog you can tell it has lab in it and they r stupid happy,my lab is retarded happy,they are good dogs. And who the f*ck cares if it was a full pit bull itz the OWNERS not the dogs,if you beat ur dog or have it fight other dogs yeah might be a lil damn aggressive cas of stupid pple,get ur shit together&do something bout pple like Mike Vick,they r the reason pit bulls have a bad rep. Outcast a whole breed based on ignorance,do something about the PEOPLE. How bout I beat ur ass for weeks,months,years and see how friendly you are,blame the animals when itz peoples fault. I don’t remember ever hearing bout a vicious puppy attack because they aren’t born that way,they r made that way. Sh*t pisses me off!
Judge can go suck a cøck
Judge can go suck a cøck!!!!!! Stupid dumb sh*t
You have to understand Leaders in Northern Ireland have a culture of Terror,most of them are Terrorists..
My advice is vote these Scumbags out of Power and try and find Decent Human-Beings to lead.Otherwise these Murderous activities will not stop.
Think that the Judge a) needs to be relieved of his position or b) have the b***s to show his compassion and not listen to society. Maybe his looks are just as threating or scary to us…..what would happen then???? He should look up the word compassion and empathy to??????
this is so sad, i cant believe it. will keep praying xx
Breed Specific Legislation – BSL stands for something different in my book!
It is a canine holocaust, and unfortunately has happened to many staffie cross’s in the UK also, because no-one has a clue what is a ‘pit’ so many staffie-cross’s are condemned, and they are not interested in dna, or papers proving breed/s – none of that matters, just looks.
They don’t even care about the good points of a Pit, the media spreads the lies and the gullible and ignorant believe it and it is fuelled.
We must all work together to stop this before any more dogs suffer, and before they decide to add other breed ‘types’ into the mix.
Belfast Council and the Judge on Lennox’s case hang your heads in shame, you disgust me.
What goes around comes around in this world.
My heart is just breaking over this..this is sad…I wonder if this judge even has a soul? 🙁 I’m lighting a candle for the family that this will not happen!!
When I was a teenager my family had a Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaf) and she was the most loving dog. Our neighbor had a chihuahua that bit postal workers, neighborhood kids and its owners. Horrible dog. Yet people were afraid of my sweet dog. She defended our home during a home invasion and the robber tired to sue b/c he was bitten. She was seized and quarantined. My mother fought to get her back.
Ignorance has no boundaries. Pit bulls have a terrible rep b/c foolish people exploited them. And it’s stupidity, ignorance and bully tactics like those used against the family of Lennox that perpetuate the fierce nature of these animals.
Common sense is ignored in place of nonsense and posturing. Putting down an animal because you don’t like its looks is a slippery slope upon which the untrained, political and bullies tread.
Whats next?? Putting down people because they look like Pittbulls?
I am outraged and I wish, I wish I could do something more substantial from here. I wish Lennox and his family all the luck in the world, and hopefully a new judge with some common sense. Fire that idiot!
Wow. Just…wow. Now let’s put down anyone who resembles Charles Manson because he looks like someone who might to great harm. Disgraceful.
There will be a hearing next week to decide on costs ie:charging the owner with the care cost of keeping Lennox in squalid conditions and the court costs and whether an appeal is possible. The link to the site is being blocked by FB due to Belfast Council and the facebook page itself was tonight flooded with sick pictures of animal abuse forcing them to disconnect picture link function on page. Good news is that dog trainer Victoria Stilwell of “It’s me or the dog” fame on Animal Planet has put her support behind the savelennox campaign.
There will be a hearing next week to decide on costs ie:charging the owner with the care cost of keeping Lennox in squalid conditions and the court costs and whether an appeal is possible. The link to the site is being blocked by FB due to Belfast Council and the facebook page itself was tonight flooded with sick pictures of animal abuse forcing them to disconnect picture link function on page. Good news is that dog trainer Victoria Stilwell of “It’s me or the dog” fame on Animal Planet has put her support behind the savelennox campaign.
The people responsible for this treatment of Lennox are no better than Hitler. They should be tried for their crimes. They will not escape punishment in the end. I am sure of this.
Poor little guy, The world should know by now that looks least of all can predict behavior! That is total Shit!
Dogs should not be judged by breed, but by the moral fiber of their owners. It’s these people that make a breed what it is. People need to be made responsible and accountable for their actions in whatever form it takes. Lennox has been unjustly sentenced and taken form a loving home. The Judge in Belfast needs to be more open-minded and informed about of dog breeds, and not act on personal gut instinct or the outdated BSL legislature. Get with the times man!! A dog is what the owner makes him or her out to be!!
Please return Lennox to his family! He hasn’t done anything wrong! <3
Let’s put the judge down because he does not look like a certain stereotype…..OMG…..send the dog to me, I will pay for all of the costs to ship him!!!!!!!!!!!
The prosecution “Expert” who examined Lennox and pronounced him as a dangerous pitbull type was a witness in a similar prosecution in North Wales two years ago. The dog was released and returned to his family after his evidence was soundly refuted. He admitted under cross examination court that he wasn’t a expert in dog behaviour. All he does is teach others how to measure dogs to see if they are pit bull types. Lennox was DNA tested as a pup and was not a pitbull type, yet the DNA evidence was not admissible in court. Makes you wonder. The SaveLennox facebook page will be offline after a hacking attack with someone posting animal abuse pictures on the page and avoid the fake page that has been posting abuse and photoshop images of Lennox being executed. Some sick people out there.
Outragous behavior from so called officials, why don’t they realize not every dog that doesn’t have the correct measurments is dangerous. The wardens may look like a rapist or child molester do we go into their homes drink tea with them & take them away from their families & throw them into an already crowded cell with their own feces surrounding them ? Some people on this earth are discusting low life with no heart or consious.
Animal lover
This is wrong by any means. Dogs are not the problem, the people who raise them to fight are. Just like guns don’t kill by themselves but the people using them. Knives don’t kill but the hand that’s using it does. If we let them control what we own where will it stop??? Maybe we should crack down on these people who train them to fight in the first place?
THIS MAKES ME ASHAMED TO BE OF IRISH HERITAGE!! I WON’T BE GOING TO IRELAND AFTER ALL!! PLEASE TELL ME THAT WAS NOT A PILE OF DEAD DOGS ON THE VIDEO!! THIS REMINDS ME OF HITLER!!!! I DID SIGN THE PETITION FOR POOR LENNOX AND I WILL SIGN IT AGAIN….UNLESS THAT’S PROHIBITED TOO!! SOMETHING JUST DOES NOT SOUND RIGHT WITH THIS “CITY COUNCIL” AND THE “LAW!!” THANK YOU DOG FILES FOR BRINGING THIS TO LIGHT AND LETTING US KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH LENNOX!! I AM PRAYING FOR HIM!! GOD BLESS YOU LENNOX….WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET ANYTHING HAPPEN TO YOU. GOD WILL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE OVER YOU.
yes, it was a pile of dogs on the video, I saw it too how very sad
This is a clear example of putting laws into effect instead of dealing with the real problem which is and always will be the people who handle and train any animal!!! We need to stop making more laws and inforce the ones that are already in place to protect society!!! Dogs are not born killers, people make them that way!!! Lock the people up and punish them for abuse, neglect, and worse on the animal, do not destroy an animal just because it is a specific breed!! BSL is an ignorant manner to try and eliminate a problem which does not exist!! The law is aimed at the wrong perpetrator. If any animal attacks a person without justification, it should be pts. Just the same as if any person attacks and kills a person without justification, they should be eliminated!! Stop hiding behind isues and deal with the real problem here!! Deal with the people who do not take care of their dogs or animals, abuse them, neglect them, starve them, and leave the animals alone who are doing no wrong at all!! We have too many laws and not enough officers and prisons to handle all the truly evil people that are allowed to walk around daily in our society. This is not about Location or Breed, it should be about JUSTICE!!!
I really do not get it, you have people out there throwing dogs out a window. They get a slap on the back. But you have a wonderful family dog and well taken care of. You take him away, what the —— are you thinking forces on the ones that are treat the animal bad. Get a clue. Give him back to the family . STOP this .