What is the truth about Piglet – Part 3

Blossom (formerly Piglet) at the Riverside Shelter

Facebook has been acting wonky this week (and what else is new?) with posts disappearing from timelines.  Many people were hoping and praying Piglet's life would be spared.  Many contacted the shelter in support of Piglet going to rescue or sanctuary.  







As noted in my note and blog postings concerning the truth about Piglet, there were more questions than answers.  Rebecca McCullough and Mark Watson of The Heart of Leo Sanctuary (http://www.facebook.com/heartofleo) in Colorado went the extra mile in finding out the truth about Piglet's death.  I don't want this truth to disappear because of a timeline/FB glitch (or idiocy, take your pick).

Rest in Peace and run free Blossom.

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Posted by Justice for Lennox (http://www.facebook.com/JusticeForLennox)
Status link: http://www.facebook.com/JusticeForLennox/posts/128985370580003

on Friday, 9/24/12 at approximately 10pm Central.

Justice for Lennox

Piglet was killed. 

First, I would like to say: The people (Piglet's owners) who posted all the petitions, deceitful and false details, and who collected money for a "legal defense" were the ones who brought Piglet into the shelter after she attacked the jogger. This was Piglet's second attack. They told the shelter from the beginning of her second bite offense that they wanted her to be destroyed. After they collected money from everyone, they shut down the pages and made a false announcement that she was dead.

Riverside County has NO BSL. The ordinance in regards to bites: 1st offense considered an accident, and is forgiven but the dog must be properly cared for and restrained from then on, and a potentially dangerous dog "restraining order" is placed upon the owners.2nd offense, the dog will be impounded and euthanized. 

Piglet had attacked once. Her family neglected her a second time. Her second offense she hospitalized a jogger. The family WANTED Piglet to be euthanized, presumably because they wanted to keep the money they had collected. Executive Director Rob Miller decided that it wasn't fair. He put a "Do Not Euthanize" order on her kennel and into their Chameleon Database so he could fight it. If the family hadn't brought her in and TOLD them to kill her... If they had even TRIED to appeal it, there might have been a chance for her. 

This director stepped to the plate for her anyway, mainly, because it was obvious that she had been abused. She had been trained to attack as well. He didn't feel she should die because of the abusive and neglectful actions of her owners.

:-( 

They had her evaluated over the past three weeks 3 separate times. She was taken out of the shelter by a certified behaviorist for an out of shelter evaluation as well. The behaviorist said: "Not Good." She showed aggression to all other animals. She showed extreme food aggression. She was aggressive to humans too.

Still they fought for her. 

Around the time I last heard from them, the director had ordered John Welsh to stop responding to emails and phone calls about her, because there were literally 1000's coming in every day. They had 400 other dogs in the shelter who needed to be networked out, and they needed his help coordinating transports and rescues. However, they did NOT give up on her.

He argued her case with the City of Riverside for 3 weeks to try to save her life. The city finally based their decision on the fact that they could not set a precedence. When other bad owners abuse, neglect and turn their dogs vicious, they have to be able to protect the public. By sparing Piglet, it would have effectively nullified their policy.

I would now like to say: Tracy Fry claimed to have been in contact with John Welsh. She claimed that she had a sanctuary lined up, and a full rescue proposal on his desk. John Welsh has never heard of Tracy Fry. Nor had he heard of Sienna Rose, or any of her friends.

There were only 2 organizations trying to save Piglet. One was a woman named Clarinda from "Smiling Dog Farms" in Nebraska. The other was myself, from The Heart of Leo Animal Sanctuary in Colorado. Believe me, HOL tried. From what John said, Clarinda was calling several times a day as well.

I am personally grateful to Riverside County. I am grateful to John Welsh and Rob Miller. They went above and beyond trying to save her, even though their policies said they shouldn't. Piglet (Piggy) was a victim of her owners. What they did was criminal in more ways than one. There were other liars involved in this as well. I don't know what they got out of it, but they certainly didn't help the situation. 

John Welsh talked to Rebecca McCullough, our director, for over an hour today. I am still sad, and still believe that I could have helped her. However, I now know that they did EVERYTHING in their power, and it broke their hearts that it turned out this way.

The last thing I want to say: I was going to name her Blossom, because I know she would have blossomed into a wonderful dog with love, patience and proper training. To me, that is her name.

Run free Blossom.

What is the truth about Piglet – Part 2

Part 1 was done as a note on my Facebook page.  Due to the nature and length of this update, I am posting Part 2 on my blog.  Part 1 gives the basic background of Piglet’s story.  As noted in Part 1, there have been NO official (from the shelter itself) updates on Piglet since August 7.

On August 7^th, Justice for Lennox posted he had spoken with the shelter’s public relations person on the 6^th.  [posted as a comment on Piglet’s picture posted August 3^rd on Justice for Lennox]

Supporters of Piglet began contacting Mr. Welsh to express their appreciation of the shelter’s efforts to give Piglet a chance. 

After this, there were no further updates.  There were plenty of questions, especially ones asking if anyone had heard anything from the shelter.  No one had.

On Wednesday, August 22, Sienna Rose posted a picture of Piglet on Save Wicca with the following caption:

To say some of us were stunned would be an understatement.  The last we had heard, the shelter was open to options and accepting proposals from qualified rescues, sanctuaries and individuals.  All proposals would be given consideration.  A number of individuals, including Justice for Lennox – who runs The Heart of Leo  Animal Sanctuary – had been trying unsuccessfully for two weeks to communicate with someone at the shelter by phone or email.

Some are wondering if there was a campaign of sorts to ensure Piglet’s death.  One name kept popping up on posts that were copied/pasted from elsewhere.  I know of only one (1) direct communication with a page by this person, which occurred on August 4:

The full size image is available at: http://www.heartofleo.org/fry1.jpg

On August 9, the following status was posted on Scooby’s Doghouse:

[from] Tracy Fry We have heard back from Riverside. Nothing is going to happen this week, presumably, I just wanted to keep you in the loop that there is still currently a “do NOT euthanize” order by the director. Please I ask you again, stop emailing them. They are still receiving mass emails everyday, and they are unable to effectively do their business having to sift through them all ♥

I did not think to take a screen shot at the time as I had no reason to do so, and it is not available on Scooby’s page at this moment (presumably a Facebook issue since her posts jump from August 21 to June 26 on her timeline), but I did copy/paste it on Piglet’s picture of August 3 on Justice for Lennox:

On August 17, yet another copy/paste of a Tracy Fry post appeared on Piglet’s picture:

No one was able to confirm the information given in this post.  Once again, attempts to speak to someone at the shelter were unsuccessful.

Tracy Fry is an anomaly.  Her personal profile only became active on August 15, 2012 -- at least by what Facebook is showing on her timeline.  She joined Facebook on April 27, 2007.  Her timeline show no posts before 2011: between April 4 and October 15, 2011 she answered 4 questions in polls, and on December 21, 2011 she updated her cover picture.  In 2012, she changed her cover picture on 3 occasions (March 12, April 4, and June 29), and on July 11, she commented on a link concerning Lennox. 

There is no information other than gender in her “about” tab.  She does not like any pages, or has opted not to show them.  In the posts showing on her timeline, not a single one contains a reference to the sanctuary she says she is a part of (see the Heart of Leo screenshot above).  Very little of what is posted has anything to do with animal advocacy, and only from the broad perspective.

Sienna Rose, who posted the death notice of Piglet on Save Wicca, is also an anomaly.  She joined Facebook on August 17, 2010, but her timeline shows even less than Tracy’s does.  It shows no activity prior to June 4, 2012.  While the pages she likes do show, none were liked prior to 2012, and none seem to be a sanctuary.  She has made only two posts (both links) – July 28 and August 17.

There is discrepancy with Tracy’s communication with Heart of Leo concerns John Walsh of the Riverside shelter.  First Tracy calls him the director:

When Mark Watson of Heart of Leo corrects her, she continues with the discrepancy:

Two independent sources name Robert Miller as the director.  The first is a news article from 2010, which happens to mention both men: http://www.pe.com/local-news/politics/politics-headlines-index/20101112-riverside-county-animal-services-to-cut-15-employees.ece

The second is the Riverside County Community Health Agency page which lists all the county animal services information: http://www.rivcocha.org/svcsdir1.html

You may also notice in the screenshot above that Tracy declines to give any information at all about her sanctuary.  Since this was a private communication with an administrator of a 501(c)(3) sanctuary who was trying to help Piglet, there was no reason why she could not have given her sanctuary’s name.  Mark would have respected privacy wishes and not disclosed that information. 

Between August 1 and the announcement of Piglet’s death, Tracy was posting frequently, especially to Save Wicca, for people to stop emailing the shelter.

I just checked all the posts by other people during the month of August on Save Wicca, and not a single one of Tracy’s posts are there.  They have all been removed.

As near as anyone can tell, Tracy has not made a single post since mid-August.  The last reference I know of is the screenshot above of a copy/paste of a Tracy Fry message on Piglet’s August 3 picture. 

There are far too many questions about Tracy Fry for any of us to feel comfortable, and leaving us wondering if this was indeed a ploy to keep Piglet from being saved by a reputable rescue or sanctuary.

Who is Tracy Fry?  What is the name of her so-called sanctuary?  Why has she disappeared off of Facebook?  Where is her proof of anything she posted?  Why have all of her posts disappeared from Save Wicca?

Why, for two weeks, did anyone at the shelter not respond to emails and calls about Piglet – including those from an administrator of a 501(c)(3) sanctuary?   

To be continued …

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

Lennox News – 7/9/12

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND—Peter Robinson, current First Minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has tweeted that he has spoken to the Lord Mayor of Belfast about Lennox, the dog scheduled to die by lethal injection because of how he looks, suggesting that the Belfast City Council and Mayor should seriously consider allowing the death row dog to be relocated to the United States.

“At 8:23 p.m.Belfast time, (3:23 pm EDT) Robinson tweeted” spoke to Lord Mayor aboutLennox. Suggested BCC should seriously look at re-homing option. Why exercise the order if there’s an alternative?”

The email for the Lord Mayor is lordmayorsoffice@belfastcity.gov.uk

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Posted by Boycott Belfast until it frees Lennox and addresses its BSL failings
OFFICIAL.......no amnesty has been granted, this is completely fabricated, we await news from Mrs Oneil and the Queens office.....please keep the pressure on and don't give up


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

Progress!!!!!! I called George Richardson back who is in the High Court of the judicial system. I told him about my conversation with Lisa in the Belfast Council. I told him that Lisa insisted that it was in the Court systems' hands and not the Council. I asked him if there was any way that he or someone in his offices could call Belfast Council, speak to Lisa, to find out if there is perhaps a breakdown in communication between their organization and the Belfast Council because there seems to be a perception on the Council's part that the High Court system has power at this stage of the process for Lennox. George said, that he was going to speak with his legal team to see what he can do. He explained that he has to be very careful because he can not be talking to a government agency telling them what to do. I explained that I fully agree. However, Belfast Council may in fact really believe that your agency is the only step in the process that exists. They may not realize that they are the ones that have the cards at this point to save Lennox. I reiterated that Victoria Stillwell is in Belfast ready to take Lennox and that the Council will not respond to her, see her, talk with her. I suggested that perhaps he could present in a non judgmental way that since there are rehoming options for Lennox outside of Ireland, that the Council does have the ability to present another application to the court and that he just wanted to make sure that they realized that since Belfast Council continues to direct callers back to his organization. He said that he would look into it because there needs to be a consistent message to tell people who are calling in so that both the High Court and Belfast Council are saying the same thing to callers. We must stay positive and visualize that Lennox will go free. We must. Our thoughts are critically important now. Please don't allow your thoughts to go into outrage, anger, negativity of any kind. Please let's visualize the miracle that we are looking for.

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Protest this morning in NYC. Please join the event - attend the protest in person OR attend the event in spirit if you cannot be there. Click the link, click the button to attend, and leave a message of support on the event page. We need to stand united in this. Attend and show them the Lennox Army!

https://www.facebook.com/events/386467824745824/

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MSNBC article on the efforts to save Lennox.

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/07/12618552-protesters-in-new-york-belfast-try-to-save-lennox-condemned-dog

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Article title says it all.

http://www.irishcentral.com/story/news/people_and_politics/lennox-the-dog-death-sentence-is-a-complete-farce----neither-rhyme-nor-reason-to-the-lord-chief-justices-decision-158850745.html

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In an impassioned plea Sunday, the founder/president of CJN made yet another impassioned plea to the Belfast City Council to save the life of Lennox.

NOTE: The North Country Gazette is a subscription site. Unlimited free access is not available. One free read per visitor is allowed, after that, access is by subscription only.

http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2012/07/08/cji_letter/

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URGENT - PLEASE READ & SHARE FOR LENNOX – LAST CHANCE EMAIL CAMPAIGN

The only people besides the Queen who have any authority to help Lennox at this point are the Northern Ireland Attorney General, John Larkin, and the Minister of Agriculture, Michelle O'Neil. The e-mail addresses for them are as follows:

NOTE: Email addresses for Michelle O'Neill and John Larkin have been shut down.  Please email the Lord Mayor of Belfast: lordmayorsoffice@belfastcity.gov.uk

Minister of Agriculture, Michelle O'Neil: 

Attorney General, John Larkin: 

The e-mails needed are to request that these two support the plea for the Royal Prerogative of Mercy. This time, the letters need to all say the same thing. The wording requested by the Lennox Campaign members for these e-mails is as follows:

I am writing to you as one of over 182,500 people worldwide who have signed a petition to support and demand the release of Lennox who is currently held at an unknown location by Belfast City Council. Following a legal appeal heard by the Court of Appeal NI, Lennox has been sentenced to die and we urgently request a stay of execution of the dog Lennox by the power vested in you until the following has been clarified:

A request for clemency has been submitted to Her Majesty the Queen and to all senior politicians in Northern Ireland, requesting that Lennox be spared the death sentence and be allowed to be exported out of the UK to where safe sanctuary is waiting for him.

We believe there have been irregularities in the judicial handling of the case and there is worldwide anger and serious reservations concerning the treatment of the dog and that this may be a cover-up to hide the damage done to him while in the care of Belfast City Council

Failing clemency, with no permission to export, the right of the family to have a final visit with their dog and be allowed to receive his body (currently rumoured to be withheld by Belfast C.C) is surely a basic right for a family grieving for their family member.

A death penalty, issued to an innocent animal, is due to be executed by Tuesday 10th July. Lennox, a much loved family companion, was seized two years ago, by council officials in Belfast City Council as an alleged “pit bull type”, he has been ordered by the courts to be destroyed and this decision was tragically upheld by the Court of Appeal NI.

Lennox has never harmed anyone; he has been prosecuted based on his appearance-for looking the wrong shape and size under breed specific legislation in NI.

Her Majesty the Queen and all senior politicians are urgently requested to use the Royal Prerogative of Mercy, which we understand starts where the law finishes and applies where a conviction and sentence has been arrived at; Lennox’s family and thousands of supporters worldwide plead for mercy.

We understand that The Royal Prerogative has been applied in NI, being used in the past by the then Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson and that a Judicial Review IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE IN NORTHERN IRELAND McGeough’s (Terence) Application [2012] NIQB 11 also examined this power as did a Judicial Review (EWHC 3102 Admin) on 17th Dec. 2008 in the case of Michael Shields before the High Courts of Justice in London. We understand that it should only be exercised where no other remedies exist and that the effect of a pardon is not to quash the conviction but releases the recipient from "all pains, penalties and punishments whatsoever that from the said conviction may ensure".

Please, we beg you, to intervene, order a stay of execution; whilst you investigate an application for clemency and any and all other legal routes to enable Lennox to be exported out of Northern Ireland. Failing that, please insist on a stay of execution so that a clear and transparent investigation is carried out in this case so that this dog is not wrongfully put to death and doubts regarding his current condition are set at rest.

Citizens from all over the world are asking you to restore faith in the judicial system on behalf of the citizens of Northern Ireland.

I beg you to intervene urgently, please order a stay of execution and have this case investigated urgently and any and all avenues to enable the export of Lennox fully reviewed.

Sincerely,

Name

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Taken from:

One last push of urgent e-mails needed for a Lennox miracle

by Bonnie Snider

Animal Advocacy Examiner

July 8, 2012

http://www.examiner.com/article/one-last-push-of-urgent-e-mails-needed-for-a-lennox-miracle