CALL TO ACTION: Trussville, AL Residents Only

FOR TRUSSVILLE, AL RESIDENTS ONLY

Mayor Melton has said he does not want to hear from non-residents.  Please help us fight the proposed ordinance by respecting this.

The proposed ordinance to ban pit bulls in Trussville, AL is still on the table.  It is not dead, so we can still defeat it.

ALL Trussville, AL residents who oppose breed specific legislation need to let Mayor Melton know this ordinance should not become law.

Please write polite and respectful letters or emails, or make a polite and respectful phone call.  A sample letter is below.  Feel free to use it when contacting Mayor Melton.

Tip from StopBSL.org - As you communicate, break any stereotypes associated with ownership of a targeted breed. Use proper English and good grammar, and be respectful and calm.

For additional tips, including what not to say, see:

http://stopbsl.org/take-action/contact-your-lawmakers/what-not-to-say/  AND

http://stopbsl.org/take-action/contact-your-lawmakers/write-letters/

If you write your own letter, keep it short. Elected officials get swamped with correspondence every day. They are less likely read an essay.

Please share this call to action with everyone you know in Trussville.

News Story: Proposed Pit Bull Ban in Trussville

Proposed Ordinance

http://angelpawanimaladvocacy.blogspot.com/p/trussville-al-proposed-pit-bull-ban.html 

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NOTE: Address the envelope and your letter as below

Honorable Eugene A. Melton

Mayor of Trussville

City Hall

131 Main Street

P. O. Box 159

Trussville, Alabama 35173

Dear Mayor Melton,

As a resident of Trussville, I am writing to let you know that I do not support any animal ordinance that targets a specific breed of dog.  Numerous professional groups have written position statements against breed specific legislation.  You can read them at http://stopbsl.org/bsloverview/the-lack-of-professional-support/ .

I live in the community and I share your concern for public safety. We can make the community safer through dog ordinances that all dog owners have to follow, no matter what their dog looks like. 

Please make our community safer by supporting a dog ordinance that does not single out specific breeds.

Sincerely,

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Additional Contact Information:

Telephone (205) 655-7478

Direct (205) 661-4052

Local cell 1-888-619-9997

E-Mail:  Mayor@trussville.org

Contact Form: http://www.trussville.org/ct.asp

Fighting BSL – Assistance Needed

I have always stood against injustice, prejudice, ignorance, and the sheer stupidity that result in prejudice and injustice.  Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) certainly fills the bill.  Thanks to ignorance about banned breeds and dog behavior, the proliferance of dog fighting, irresponsible owners, and media sensationalism, BSL has become a monster of epic proportions.  From the mass extermination of pit bulls in Denver from 2005 to 2008, to the killing of Lennox, Wicca, Bear, and Kooda in 2012, thousands upon thousands of dogs and families have been affected by knee-jerk reaction laws and actions.

Dogs have been deemed dangerous just because of their breed and/or how they look no matter their behavior and history.  Dogs have been ripped from their families’ arms and homes, and executed.  Owners have been forced to buy excessively expensive insurance and follow other restrictive measures, and many forced to re-home their beloved pet to insure its safety.

To say I hate BSL would be an understatement.  In honor of Lennox and all the other dogs who have died or are otherwise victims of BSL, I am doing two things.

First, as a part of my Facebook page, I want to create an album for the victims.  I haven't decided on an album title yet, but it will be along the lines of "Why We Fight BSL - The Victims".  I already have two BSL albums - Lennox and Pit Bulls - and this new one is intended to compliment them.  The first entries will be Lennox, Wicca, Bear and Kooda, and Ace.

Second, as a member of AVRAL, I will be working against BSL in Alabama.  We will be looking to stop proposed BSL laws, hopefully get BSL repealed where it already exists, and hopefully bring about the passage of a state law making BSL illegal in Alabama.

How You Can Help

1. Provide pictures and information about victims for inclusion in my new album.  Links to pictures can be sent to me via message or posted to my wall.  It is important that I have the link where you found the picture so that I have whatever information was with it, as well as photo credits.  The type of information I'm looking for is:

* Dog's name

* City/State (e.g. Denver, CO) or City/Country (Montreal, Canada)

* Date killed

* Why/What - the "meat" of the issue - what happened (and why when known) that caused the dog to become a victim

* Facebook page (if the dog has one)

* Links to any relevant news articles (if they exist and you have them - I will also research)

2. If you live in Alabama, I need your help in staying on top of BSL.  I will be researching everything sent to me, but the more info you can give me, the better because it's from the viewpoint of a resident.  If I need to directly attribute anything to you (such as a quote), you will only be identified by initials unless you give me permission to use your name.

* If there is BSL in your city/town - where, when it was enacted, why it was enacted, any known results (is it being enforced, are dog bites/attacks down, are owners re-homing pets elsewhere)

* If BSL is being proposed in your city/town - where, why, and if known, the date of the next meeting of whichever government body is handling it

We can only fight BSL with your help.  The more info you can provide, the better my group can work on this.  We do not have members in every city and town in the state, so we need you to be our eyes and ears.

3. Support AVRAL.  If you live in Alabama, and are not yet a member, please join.  It doesn't cost anything, other than some time, to be a member.  Even if your only participation is through email campaigns and voting, it will make a difference.  No matter where you live, donating to AVRAL either through direct donation or by buying a tshirt, helps.  We need funds for flyers, office supplies, and the many other things that are needed to effectively fight for the animals of Alabama.

In Conclusion

I have been working on this post for about 2 hours now, my hands shaking and tears in my eyes.  This morning I heard that our efforts to save Wicca had failed, and she was killed yesterday.  I am still outraged about Lennox, and then I hear of Wicca’s death – my emotions, both sadness and anger, are running high.

Ever since I became an animal advocate, I have been searching for my niche … the one area where I will devote a significant portion of my advocacy time and energy to.  There are so many different areas that need to be addressed in resolving the problems with companion animals and shelters in this country (you might want to read my Stop the Killing series of posts for an idea of what I mean).  It’s difficult to pick just one. 

But today I made my decision, pushed over the brink by the execution of Wicca. 

Today I pick up arms in the battle against BSL.  


Update: The album, Why I Fight BSL - Remembering the Victims, has been created.

Lennox News from 12 July 2012

from Victoria Stilwell

To all Lennox supporters and those against BSL. Please read this from my colleague Jim Crosby and share with as many people as you can. This is vitally important. When I was brought onto the case a year ago I received a copy of the BCC's 'expert's' report. This report was only supposed to be an evaluation of Lennox's measurements to determine whether Lennox was of pitbull type (which is laughable in itself.) The last paragraph of the report states that even though this expert knows that he has only been brought in to measure Lennox he still offers his opinion of Lennox's behavior, which he questions. That's it - one paragraph. I also have the behavioral evaluation reports from both David Ryan and Sarah Fisher - pages and pages of detailed, intelligent, unbiased and thorough investigations of Lennox's behavior. Yet the BCC stand by their 'expert' and so did the courts, discrediting the evidence of two qualified behavioral experts. Is that justice? Is that fair?

It is also public knowledge now, even though I have said nothing on this matter, but because it is already out there I will have to answer your questions truthfully, yes, the BCC's 'expert' did try to sue me for speaking out against him and questioning his credentials, and yes he did expect money from me to settle the dispute. He was not successful because all I did was speak the truth. But these are the kind of people that the family,myself and all those who have supported Lennox, have been up against. I will finish by saying that I do not approve of threats and intimidation being done to anyone on either side and would appeal to those who conduct themselves in such a way to stop - you are not helping matters. But also be aware that those of us who have supported Lennox and the family themselves have also received threats, some from the very people that BCC employ.

So onto Jim's report - this is a window into how it should be done:

Lennox: The gloves come off.

http://canineaggression.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/lennox-gloves-come-off.html

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from Rourke the Dork

Honor Lennox by helping pets with donations of food, money, time, and items. Please click the blue "Join" button at the top of the page. Please share this event with family and friends.

http://www.facebook.com/events/348662408546849/

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Found at Bully Molosser Mart

To honor & remember Lennox - 1/2" 'I AM LENNOX' VIVID Leather Bracelet that is also a fundraiser.

http://stores.molossermart.com/-strse-151/1-fdsh-2%22-%27I-AM-LENNOX%27/Detail.bok

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Posted to Patrick’s Pantry

Don't email Belfast City Council, they will just delete the message. Use this address to write...EVERY LETTER THEY RECEIVE THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR!!! Belfast City Council have a FREE POST address, meaning that any mail they receive, THEY have to pay for. That payment doubles when it's from INTERNATIONAL ....

Corporate Complaints

Belfast City Council

FREEPOST

BT1 5BR

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A well-written note by an ACO here in the US regarding the execution of Lennox.

When a Good Dog is No More 

http://www.facebook.com/notes/mark-kumpf/when-a-good-dog-is-no-more/10150913946611577

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A must read article.  As like many of us, Victoria Stilwell questions the date of Lennox’s death.

Lennox is gone, but questions and outrage remain

http://www.examiner.com/article/lennox-is-gone-but-questions-and-outrage-remain

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Another must read article. 

What we must do for Lennox

http://dogtime.com/what-we-must-do-for-lennox.html

A Message from Boycott Belfast until it frees Lennox and addresses its BSL failings

Boycott Belfast until it frees Lennox and addresses its BSL failings
posted on Facebook 11 July 2012

Today, we mourn for Lennox, a seven-years' old innocent who was killed by order of the belfast city council. What did he do? For five years, he lived peacefully with his family, knowing the warmth and love to be had there, being the "bestest friend in the world" to Brooke, only to be torn from them two years ago on the evidence of a tailor's measuring tape, a cheat-sheet, and the evidence of a warden whose evidence given in court has been contradicted by the photographs showing her and Lennox enjoying quiet time...peace...a little warmth from a concrete cell lined with straw and little else. Little did Lennox know that she, that warden, would be instrumental in the death verdict initially given by Judge Rodgers in 2011, and interestingly upheld by the self-same judge on initial appeal. Again the Barnes family appealed, with hope, with faith, and after presenting it to a panel of three judges on the Supreme Court, the Barnes family waited...and waited...and the judges waited, until the Olympic torch run had passed through belfast, and only then did they release their verdict, knowing of the many thousands of Lennox supporters that also waited, and their verdict? Death.

Every avenue open, was taken by the Barnes family; we, as individuals, coming together in a common cause -- Lennox -- gave them our support, our hope, our love. Lennox was our hope, and our love.

And today Lennox is dead. Did the Barnes family do anything wrong? No, they did not -- they fought with every fibre, every bit of scrap they had...Did we do anything wrong? No, we loved Lennox, raised him as a call to why BSL and DDA are wrong, and we fought for him...Lord, did we fight for him

Did Lennox do anything wrong? No, Lennox was a dog, a family pet, loved and held and kissed and cared for...

What did Lennox do wrong, belfast city council? What did Lennox do wrong, dog wardens of belfast? What did Lennox do wrong, judges of belfast?

What did Lennox do wrong, that his family could not re-home him safely away from belfast's lauded "Duty of Care?" What did Lennox do that he could not have the Barnes family, HIS FAMILY, with him as he died? What did Lennox do wrong that the Barnes family could not have his body back for respect and burial? What did Lennox do wrong that the Barnes family could not have Lennox's collar back, as a treasured keepsake and memorial?

What did Lennox do wrong, belfast city council?

Today we mourn Lennox, as a loved pet should be mourned; tomorrow, we march on belfast, with Lennox as our banner --

Who will mourn for you, belfast city council, as your city's reputation dies as you killed Lennox?

A Message from Animal Farm Foundation

Animal Farm Foundation 
posted on Facebook 11 July 2012

Our hearts go out to the family of Lennox, a family dog who was executed today by the Belfast City Council under the Dangerous Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1991. This law discriminates against "any dog of the type known as the pit bull terrier," a determination that is made by the court based on the dog's physical characteristics, not his behavior or, more important, the owner's behavior. 

Wherever breed discriminatory legislation (BDL) has been tried -- abroad and in the US -- it has consistently failed to enhance public safety and protect the public from reckless owners. This paper from the National Canine Research Council outlines the worldwide failures of BDL: http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/uploaded_files/tinymce/World-wide%20Failure%20of%20BSL.pdf

BDL not only fails to meet its objective of public safety, it also wastes precious taxpayer dollars and resources that could otherwise be used to build better communities for people and pets alike. Imagine what could have been accomplished in the two years Belfast spent targeting Lennox? Imagine the improvements that could have been made to the Belfast community, had its leaders invested in effective dog laws instead of being guided by fear?

We hope everyone who advocated for Lennox will continue their efforts for dogs here in the US. Every day places like Denver, Miami-Dade County, Prince George's County (Maryland), and small towns across the country execute family pets like Lennox just because of the way they look. Every day US taxpayer dollars are wasted, US families are torn apart, and US communities fail to thrive because of needless hysteria and ineffective legislation. Every day there is a need -- and an opportunity -- to "Save Lennox."

But let us not lose sight of the significant progress being made. As of 2012, more communities are rejecting or repealing BDL than are passing it. The current industry standard is to evaulate dogs as individuals and hold humans accountable for their actions. Most animal shelters provide "pit bull" dogs with the same treatment and opportunity as other dogs, based on their individual behavior. The overwhelming majority of "pit bull" dog owners -- like all dog owners -- are responsible people who care deeply about public safety and their pet's well-being. And as a result, dog bites throughout the US are at historic lows and communities are safer than they've ever been, despite increases in both human and canine populations.

The story of Lennox came to a tragic and cruel end today. But together we can start a new chapter in the human-canine bond so that history stops repeating itself and the human-canine bond continues to thrive.

Lennox News from 11 July 2012

A collection of news articles, tweets and comments after Lennox was executed in Belfast, Northern Ireland yesterday.

Victoria Stilwell debates Pat McCarthy of the BCC

http://positively.com/2012/07/11/victoria-debates-bcc-representative-on-the-radio/

Belfast authorities murder Lennox, allegedly for public safety

http://greenheritagenews.com/belfast-authorities-murder-lennox-allegedly-for-public-safety/

Outrage over Lennox: Dog put to sleep for looking like a pit bull in Northern Ireland

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/lennox-dog-put-sleep-belfast-145939624.html

Robinson brands Lennox death 'folly'

http://www.u.tv/News/Lennox-the-dog-put-to-sleep/d2d3cab2-15af-4c16-a630-efdae9b22da6

Kc Dog Blog - Lennox, the dog, is dead -- and the power of channeled passion

http://btoellner.typepad.com/kcdogblog/2012/07/lennox-the-dog-is-dead-and-the-power-of-channeled-passion.html

Stubby Dog - For Lennox

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=7d5366dcbefcf8dbbd39b8788&id=96bd22ffd0&e=481e556907

Lennox, dog condemned as pitbull, is put to death in Belfast

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/11/12682079-lennox-dog-condemned-as-pitbull-is-put-to-death-in-belfast?lite

Lennox the dog killed in N. Ireland

http://www.hlntv.com/video/2012/07/11/lennox-dog-killed-n-ireland

TalkBack - Lennox the dog was killed by Belfast City Council today after a two year legal battle. Victoria Stillwell gave me her reaction

http://audioboo.fm/boos/880557-lennox-the-dog-was-killed-by-belfast-city-council-today-after-a-two-year-legal-battle-victoria-stillwell-gave-me-her-reaction

NYC Group Angry Over Case Of Lennox, ‘Dangerous’ Lab-Mix Killed In Belfast

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/07/11/protest-in-nyc-after-lennox-lab-mix-deemed-dangerous-killed-in-belfast

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fromTwitter

Peter Robinson ?@DUPleader

Destroying a dog that had no history of aggression is folly and shames society. ?#Lennox?

PaulineMM ‏@PaulineMM

@ItsMeOrTheDog Anti BSL peaceful protests on Saturday; London, Brighton, Southsea, Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow Plse RThttp://endangereddogs.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/peacef …

Victoria Stilwell ‏@ItsMeOrTheDog

RT I am beyond enraged. The family heard about Lennox's death through me!! @belfastcc didn't even bother to tell them first. ‪#disgust

Lennox ‏@SaveLennox

Not only has @Belfastcc refused to return Lennox's body to family but now refuse to return his collar as a keep sake for the little girl.

Victoria Stilwell ‏@ItsMeOrTheDog

Pat McCarthy just said it on radio, ' pit bull type dogs are dangerous.' BSL breeds ignorance!

Read more retweets by me at https://twitter.com/angelpawaa

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Comments from around Facebook that I believe are worth sharing

“I have to say that I completely disagree with boycotting Belfast. Punishing many for the sins of few is EXACTLY what the law that allowed Lennox to be murdered is about. Don't forget, Lennox's family lives in Belfast and if you punish ALL of Belfast for what the Council did, you're going to punish them. Don't you think they've been through enough already? If you really want to make a difference, fight Breed Specific Legislation.”

“Rest in Peace Lennox. In your time on this Earth, you have touched the hearts of countless people. Your death will not be in vain, as you have opened the world's eyes when it comes to the horrors of BSL. Until we as humans can learn to overlook physical appearances and accept everyone, regardless of color, creed, or BREED, we have no right to call ourselves a "civilized" society. We will continue to fight to put an end to BSL everywhere until the day comes when no dog is judged based on his or her appearance. Stop the killing. End BSL- Tee, Proud Pit Bull Mama” - Whispering Woods Animal Rescue

“We fought two years to save Lennox´s life now we´ll fight the years to come to honour his memory and defend all the other Lennoxs around. In a world where animal abusers walk free and innocent dogs are killed for stupid laws like this one we shall stand together and strong to change it. The battle is far from over, it has just begun.”

“Ireland is divided into TWO countries, for those of you who aren't aware. There's the Republic of Ireland, which is in the south, and Northern Ireland, which is part of Great Britain. Great Britain has BSL; the Republic of Ireland does NOT. I am just as unhappy about this as everybody else, but spewing hatred and ignorance isn't going to change anything; it's only going to harden people's hearts to our cause.”

“It would be extremely narrow minded to start heaping insults on all Irish people. Remember that Lennox and his family are Irish too. This was the deed of a few imbeciles, not am entire nation. Starting a war with an entire country over this horrendous tragedy and act of evil would be a poor way of honoring Lennox's memory. Let's band together in sorrow and for a good cause instead. Let's ensure that Belfast CC's and the court's unspeakably cruel acts will lead to something positive. That is the only way a victory can be achieved, and the only way that goodness and love can conquer evil in the end.”

“Lennox lives on through all the people that care about him. In his honor adopt, foster, share animals in need on fb, and most of all EDUCATE!!!! People need to understand the facts and dispell the myths. We need to end BSL, pet stores, high kill shelters, dog fighting...it is a never ending list!!! Lennox lives.....through us!”

Posted on Boycott Belfast until it frees Lennox and addresses its BSL failings

Letter of complaint written to bcc by a supporter, thought it summed everything up..

"You killed an innocent animal to save face. Are your hearts so withered that you could show no compassion? Are your minds so small that you could not grasp reason? Are your egos so large that you could not listen to the voices around the world that called for justice?

You were offered many ways out of your predicament but you chose to destroy a beautiful animal. This speaks very poorly for your ability to run a large city. I understand that you are too proud to read the numerous letters and emails addressing this issue, but look inside your souls and ask yourself when you toss and turn in your beds at night if you really did the right thing for the people of Belfast, for the family, and for God's creation"


"I want to offer my thanks to Belfast City Council for:

1. Uniting the world against injustice.

2. Making us all cry..and I certainly needed a few good crying jags

3. making it clear to all that one dog's life (and death) can make a difference in this rotten world.

4. causing many of us to pray..especially me, cuz i should pray more.

5. making others who mistreat animals fear for the judgement coming upon them."

"R.I.P Lennox and all the other furbabies that will be killed today worldwide because of how they look. Understandably emotions are running high, but I was always taught never let hate and vengeance consume you, and it is something I still live by today. Because if you do, you will never have room in your heart for love, compassion and care, for those are the things that make us what we are and why we care so deeply. Plus those three things are what guide us through the darkest times in our lives and lead us out to the light, stronger and more determined to carry on to be the voice of those that have no voice! ~ Marie" - Rescue Cocoa