R.I.P. Lennox

This is the story of Lennox, a harmless, happy Lab and American Bulldog mix who was torn from his family home in Northern Ireland two years ago. He had absolutely no history of aggression and his owner, Caroline Barnes, was the model of a responsible dog owner. He was DNA registered, microchipped, neutered, insured and appropriately licensed. He had never once harmed or threatened anyone. His crime… his measurements fit within the UK Dangerous Dog Act (DDA) guidelines, which was designed to single out Pit Bulls. Unfortunately, despite DNA proof that he was not a Pit Bull, he had inherited some similarities in appearance from his American Bulldog heritage and that was sufficient to condemn him to death. By all accounts, he was a sweet, loving dog and companion to a disabled young girl.

The dog wardens confiscated Lennox immediately after finding his measurements fit in the DDA criteria. That was two years ago and his family has never seen him again. Two trained behaviorists spent time with Lennox & evaluated him and found him to be friendly and well socialized with no apparent behavior problems. But an untrained police dog handler who admits he is not a behaviorist said he thought Lennox was capable of being aggressive (not that he ever had been). One of the dog wardens who also accused Lennox of being dangerous and claimed she was afraid of him, was photographed hugging Lennox and happily receiving his kisses.

The Barnes family tried to fight this through the court system and failed. They were denied permission to visit Lennox throughout this two year ordeal or even to say goodbye before he died. The Belfast City Council (BCC) even refused to return his collar as a memento to the grieving daughter. They did say they’d send the family some of his ashes in the mail. Their cold-hearted behavior has made them unpopular throughout the world. Thousands of people signed petitions begging the BCC to spare this dog’s life. Offers to re-home Lennox to a sanctuary in the U.S. fell on deaf ears. Celebrities such as Cesar Milan and Victoria Stilwell offered to assist in placing Lennox in a safe environment outside of the UK.  The BCC was steadfast in their refusal to consider any alternative to euthanasia and Lennox died today by court order, all because of the way he looked. Breed Specific Legislation is rampant and dangerous. Racism by any other name is still racism. The world cries for Lennox today… and for the injustice done to him and to his family. Let’s all do our part to fight breed specific legislation and let Lennox’s death be the proof that BSL is unfair and unjust and needs to be eliminated everywhere.