The Barnes Family have issued the following statement.
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 Wardens 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.
This whole breed specific rule is wrong on so many levels. I seriously don’t know how this family has been able to take it. I’d surely be in jail too.
I hope they accept the offer of someone taking him in the US but if they don’t I hope with all my heart that you get to say your goodbyes to him one last time,this breaks my heart as I know its breaking yours.
Saddened beyond words! I know you are putting Lennox first and I hope beyond hope that he will be rehomed in the USA! He doesn’t deserve to die! He has done NOTHING wrong! Try to stay strong in the face of this horrible injustice! You are not alone………
They should at least let Lennox come to the United States for another chance at life.
I sincerely hope that no one involved in this travesty ever finds themselves being judged by the way They look or sound, ever has to pay this kind of price for being outside the “norm.The USA isn’t perfect by any means but here you are judged by your actions not your appearance. Wonder what these “people” think about Down’s Syndrome or missing limbs? Like the Red Queen said Off with their heads”
This is such a tragic story. It is about power and ignorance. It has little to do with this individual dog.I pray that Lennox is allowed to come to the United States.u
i am so sorry hope everything will work out…..i know what you are going thur.
this is a true abuse of power.
This absolutely breaks my heart……what a tragedy and so wrong on so many levels. I’m still praying that Lennox can come to the USA……he should have a chance to live out his life. These people making this decision has no heart, no soul, no sympathy….and in turn God will deal with them……God Bless and be with Lennox and this family during this very very difficult time…..
so horrible on so many levels. Wishing them peace and Lennox too.
poor lennox there is just no jstice i this , do we put humans to sleep because they are thugs or have tattoo,s . lennox is bieng punished for how he looks,I have known little terriers to be vicious do we put them to sleep because of their snappy breed. lennox should at least be given the chance of rehoming , he has done nothing wrong
I shot off an email, a little bit ago, to the Belfast City Council imploring them to have a change of heart and allow Lennox to come to the United States. I doubt it will do any good, but I had to tell them how I felt. I wasn’t mean or condeming, just telling them how I felt. God bless you and I pray that the right thing will be done.
This is stupid, If Lennox did not bite anyone , Then why o,n earth are they talking about putting him down. Just because he looks like a Pit Bull… Where i live recently a Husky attacked a child and got put down… so does that mean that all Huskies need to be put down, NO. so Just because Lennox looks like a Pit Bull means nothing!!!! We as humans don’t kill people because they look like someone who would hurt others!!!!!!
I would have kept fighting for my Dog (BTW I do own a dog)
Leah I am sure they are fighting as hard and as much as they can without knowing where he is or even IF he is still alive. I very much doubt they have just given up……..I have 3 dogs and would be doing the exact same thing they are doing for as long as it takes.
They are fighting, it’s just the legal advice is that the legal appeal process has reached the end. Still pursuing other options with help of Victoria Stillwell
I hope and pray your beautiful fur baby finally has peace. I pray that the offer to have him flown to the US AND HOMED comes true.
If not and he takes that walk over the rainbow bridge I at least hope the authorities allow you and your family to be there with him and hold him tight, that he may feel your love, squeezing him and whispering in his ear that he must wait for you until you meet again.
The tears are rolling down my face, but I thank you for trying so hard to have him come home
God bless
What about Canada? Some breeds have to wear muzzles when in public (that is wrong too but it protects the dog from false accusations). I understand what you are going through and I have no words to express how sad this is and how I wish there was a way to bring you and Len comfort. Just know that I care.
How clearly to me it is here that Lenox is NOT a monster, but the HUMANS that pass such idiotic laws ARE! My heart goes out to Lenox and his family.
If there was ever a case where Cesar Milan to get involved…….this is it. He is such an advocate for dogs just like Lennox…..and the fame/authority to maybe convince Belfast city council to let Lennox go to the USA. My heart breaks for all of you.
I have followed this for the months since I heard of it. I am appalled that this court has gotten away with this. BSL is out of date and plain wrong. Just shaking my head wondering why human beings have to be so inherently evil.
this is got to be one of the saddest stories i have ever heard, you talk about abuse of power. who really wins here, no one! i thought you had to be found guilty of a crime before you are put to death, guess not. what a shame! i pray that God will intervene here and save that beautiful baby. i will pray for him and his family, God bless all of you.
This is so sad. My heart breaks for you and Lennox . . .
this asolutely breaks my heart. As an owner of 3 dogs, i cant begin to imagine how you must be feeling. I hope all concerned hang their heads in shame, how they sleep at night is beyond me. sympathies, lorraine eke
I’m so, so very sorry. I hope they will allow your beautiful boy to be sent to the US, where such ridiculous BSL is mostly a thing of the past. Holding your whole family in my heart.
totally wrong wrong wrong!!!!
My heart aches for Lennox and your whole family. This is truly a tragedy and it would be tolally senseless (not to mention heartless) if they do not allow him to be re-homed here in the U.S. What objection could they possibly have to that? They would be getting what they want by not having him in your country and they would also get to show that they at least have a little bit of sympathy for you and your family…..it would be a win-win situation. In any event, you are all in my thoughts and prayers and I hope you get to say your good-byes regardless of the final outcome. The thought of Lennox not being able to know you have never given up on him brings tears to my eyes.
I am so sorry to hear this, i cannot imagine what you are going through, my thoughts are with you and your family at this time, i really hope they let you say goodbye this is wrong and its the least they could do for you im so sorry <3 xxxxxx
it is too bad that caeser millan can’t take it at least he would be able to live a happy life
I read on facebook Ceaser and 2 others that train dogs tried to take him but they SAID NO!! SO SAD AND WRONG!!
This is so upsetting to read. My heart goes out to the family . My only hope is that he may be saved x
Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free…give Lennox to the United States! He will be safe from the tyranny that has deemed him to be a dangerous dog…he will survive here!
I am so sorry for what you are going through. I can’t imagine how I would feel if the same thing were happening to my dog. The people in power in this situation should be disgusted with themselves. How would they like it if they were sentenced to a lethal injection just because someone decided they looked like a serial killer or something?
This is something that is hard for me to hear. If I were in their position I don’t know what I’d do, I love all my dogs so much they’re welfare comes before myself and my husband. It’s so sad and so maddening.
I cannot even begin to express how I feel about this…….angry?? nope to mild, frustrated? no that isnt it either, helpless? ya getting close, empty heart broken saddened and hollow?? still not right but very close. I can only pretend to imagine how you must feel, how much you just want to find him, break him out of ‘jail’ and spirit him away cuzz that is EXACTLY what I would want to do. Even if it ment that I had to go to jail or pay some outragous fine you dam right I would!!!!! To hell with them and their frickin backwards laws and petty ways……….HE IS YOUR BABY DAMIT!!!!!! Not a killer or a stray but a loved sweet and awesome little guy. I pray that you get to see him before these monsters decide that THEY are God!!!!!!
To the Barnes Family…you have fought a good fight and I give you much credit and strenght for fighting for so long. It is asinine that you have even had to do so! If,,,,IF you have to say goodbye, know that Lenox will cross the bridge and be free! If he can come to the US, excellent, but you still need to say goodbye, which is the hardest thing ever, but knowing he can be free again hopefully gives you some comfort.My sympathy goes out to you for the loss of time that’s he’s been gone from you, and your sadness in having to say goodbye. I feel your pain.
Words cannot express. I am sorry. So, so, sorry.
I can’t imagine why they would object to rehoming Lennox. I would like to send and email and show my support. Do you have an email address with a contact name at the Belfast city council?
This is more than just disturbing. This is evil.
The rumour mill has been saying the council don’t want his condition to be examined that is why they aren’t even letting the family see him one last time. There is no transparency about the process at all.
Facts – Someone decided Lennox looked like a PitBull. A dog catcher was sent to pick him up & she said he looked mean and was uneasy. Someone decided he should be put in a dungeon somewhere not known to many for 2 whole years while his fate was determined. Then based on the above, a Judge made the decision Lennox should be put to death. Good Grief.
Someone in the US will take him & pay all costs but this plea falls on deaf ears. In the US he might even be a service dog for disabled veterans, a blind person, a deaf person, an autistic child, or an old folks home. The US has special shelters for old dogs, blind dogs, crippled dogs, scared dogs, & abused PitBulls.. No one is a throw-a-way bit of fur unless they are vicious without provocation.
I would think the Royal Family, who are dog lovers, would ask for Lennox to be permitted to go abroad. One of the Olympic teams might sponsor Lennox as a mascot & love to save his life. He is an innocent animal who is powerless. Prime Minister Churchill would certainly have some choice words for this ignorance. He’d take Lennox himself & keep him on a boat, if the English are so afraid of how a dog looks. My heart breaks for this family. Lennox has already been put through hell for not being born a Corgi. Lord, please send some earth angels powerful enough to save this pitiful dog’s life. God Bless all of you who have tried to help.
This is dog racism, pure and simple. Stupid people!
I saw a video on youtube where a Pit bull saves a life and not takes one , and they need to take that in consideration!!!!!!
I wept today upon hearing of the senseless murder of your Lennox.
I I emailed the city council in Belfast.Not only did I offer to adopt him into my home here in Thailand,I offered to pay for all expenses.They did not even have the decency to respond.
I am truly sorry for your families loss and for poor Lennox.
This is to the Barnes Family! I am so sorry for your loss. I too lost a battle to save my dog Kodi that a woman had stolen from me but that is not why I am writing you today. Lennox is near you in spirit. Lennox knows that his family fought for him and he is near your family and will always remain at your side. There will come a time when you will remember him as he was a fun and loving dog with his loving family. Talk to Lennox because he is listening to your every word. Lennox will visit you and he will come and say good bye. It will be in a moment you will know and then the peace will set in. I cannot tell you how sorry I am but I do know that Lennox will always be at your side as he was when he was actually by your side. Think of him, talk to him, reasure him that he will never be forgotten. It is difficult to remember because of the pain of his senseless death but in spirit he surrounds you with his gentle nature. I am so sorry for your loss. Ireland should be ashamed for the actions to an innocent dog. Please find peace and look up to the heavens because heaven is more tolerant then Ireland was. I also want to say how sorry I am that you were not able to visit or see your beloved Lennox. Lennox had the love you showed him and he never faltered in his devotion to you his loving family. I cannot even imagine the pain you are feeling right now and I know he will visit with you in your dreams and in your thoughts you just have to allow him in and the peace will begin! Sincerely with all my hopes and wishes for a good night and the sweet rememberance of Lennox. Good Night sweet sweet boy Lennox. Marianne Olson
I’M SO VERY VERY SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT LENNOX!! I’VE BEEN PRAYING AND REPOSTING ABOUT HIM TO HOPEFULLY TRY TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING!! I HOPE YOU GOT TO BRING HIM HOME WHERE HE BELONGS, WITH HIS LOVED ONES AT HIS HOME IN HIS OWN YARD!! TAKE CARE!MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! I’M SO VERY SORRY AGAIN!!
boycott Belfast. Let them hear the thousands they ignored