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Home Page > News > Belfast judge to hear one last appeal to 'Save Lennox' the dog

Belfast judge to hear one last appeal to 'Save Lennox' the dog

Family confident American bulldog’s life will be saved - VIDEO

CATHAL DERVAN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 8:10 AM

Updated Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 8:15 AM

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Lennox, as a puppy, at home in Belfast

Death row dog Lennon has been granted a last minute reprieve – as a Belfast judge considers one final appeal to spare his life.

Owner Caroline Barnes and her disabled Brooke have been offered fresh hope in their battle to save Lennox from death.

The pitbull style dog was sentenced to be put down after he was seized by dog wardens in Belfast in May 2010.

The dog has been held at a pound ever since then as experts debate whether or not he is an American bulldog as Caroline claims.

Wardens claimed that Lennox is a banned pitbull-type dog who poses a danger to the public. They also alleged he attacked two people near the family home.

Belfast County Court judge Henry Rodgers agreed with the wardens last month and ordered that Lennox be put down.

A worldwide campaign has since been launched to save Lennox and owner Barnes has now lodged a final appeal to spare his life.

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A spokeswoman for the Lord Chief Justice Office of Northern Ireland told the Belfast Telegraph that Ms Barnes’ legal team lodged papers on October 21, applying to the Court of Appeal.

The judge has 21 days to consider the latest appeal with a decision due on November 11th.

A Belfast City Council spokesman said: “A request has been made to the trial judge to state a case for the opinion of the Court of Appeal on a purported point of law.

“Lennox continues to be kennelled and cared for pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.”

The Belfast Telegraph reports that 119,318 people have now signed the Save Lennox petition for the attention of the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.

The paper also reports that one online supporter from the USA posted: “Please do the right thing and send this baby home to his girl. They both need each other. Wisconsin is praying for you Lennox.”

Another Lennox supporter said: “Save Lennox, a dog who has never committed an offence in his life may be ruthlessly put to sleep for a stupid reason. Please spare his life and return him to his happy family home.”

One furious dog lover added on the website www.savelennox.co.uk : “Farce, get it over with and send him home,” while a woman posted: “This wee man definitely deserves to be saved.”

Paula Boyden, veterinary director at Dogs Trust, told the paper that the issue of dangerous dogs and protecting the public has been one that has posed a problem for legislators in the UK for many years.

“The implementation of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 has had a significant effect on the welfare of some dogs, which have either been kept in kennels for many years or euthanized simply because of their breed or type,” said Boyden.

“Further improvements are needed and the Dogs Trust has called for an amendment to the Dangerous Dogs Act to reflect the ‘deed not breed’ of a dog; to adequately deal with aggressive or dangerous dogs based on the actions of a dog rather than its breed.”

Here's a video released by the 'Save Lennox' campaign:

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28 Comments

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Jers | Jul 05, 2012, 06:06 PM EDT

One more thing and then I will shut up. From the pictures, the size of the dogs eyes and the length of his ears and the way they hang as well his height and the length of his snout and width of his chest and head say more Bulldog then Pit bull

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Jers | Jul 05, 2012, 05:42 PM EDT

whatISinAname, Here are some statistics for you! My Rottweiler bit ONE person in his life and did so on command as someone tried to break into my home through a window. He held him until the police arrived. He left no injuries and the intruder did not require medical attention. My second Rottweiler never bit anyone (except on command in training) and was raised with my 1 and 4 year-olds and my grandfather in-law (who suffered from dementia). He guided my grandfather in-law around when he got confused. He helped my youngest learn how to walk and later used his big head to catch my son when he was about to fall so my son never hit the ground. My Czech GSD (also on many banned breed lists) has never bitten anyone (except on command during training). He is currently being trained as a Search and Rescue Canine. All of my dogs, rescued or bred, have passed the AKC's CGC. I volunteer at a no-kill shelter and work mostly with the Pitbull and Rottweiler breeds, walking and caring for them. I have been bitten twice - by a Dalmatian and a Springer Spaniel both from abusive homes - I required stitches both times. I also have permanent scars from a Chihuahua who spent most of her life carried around in some lady's purse. (Although I was once almost licked to death by a rescued Rottweiler, I do not know where that fits into your so-called statistics) Sorry if all of this messes with your beliefs.

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Jers | Jul 05, 2012, 04:50 PM EDT

I had no idea such ignorance and lack of intelligence existed at the judicial level in Belfast. There is a fast and easy blood test that would determine the breed of this dog, yet a massive amount of resources and money have been wasted instead. You have refused countless volunteers who offered this canine sanctuary outside of your country and you've held him for over a year forcing him to live in horrible conditions. EPIC FAIL - You should be ashamed of yourselves. As for your silly law, we have a saying here, "BAN THE DEED, NOT THE BREED!"

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DrSheilahere | Apr 20, 2012, 11:29 AM EDT

McKenzie, my West HIghland Terrier, is in a beauty contest;donation to Bright/Beautiful Therapy #Dogs.Pls vote. Go to Moore Mag. Must Sign in. Type in Sheila Dunnells.Vote.

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Boxerangel | Jan 23, 2012, 04:08 AM EST

I just dont understand what the JUDGE AND THE COUNCIL DOGWARDENS think they are playing at when it wasn't LENNOX they were meant to be getting.Does the judge not read this?Does he not care?This has gone way to far now and got completely out of hand and surely LENNOX is now being kept by them illegally?What can the lawyers acting for the family not secure the release for lennox? There is more than enough evidence and new at that for the judge to release him..... THIS IS NOT RIGHT ATALL AND CERTAINLY I WILL NOT THINK THE SAME ABOUT THE LAW WHEN THEY CAN BARGE INTO SOMEONES HOUSE AND REMOVE THEIR DAUGHTERS THERAPY DOG AND THE BEAUTIFUL BOY HAS DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG ATALL... THIS REALLY HAS TO BE STOPPED ,THERE MUST BE A LAWYER SOMEWHERE WHO CAN STOP WHAT THEY ARE ABOUT TO DO???????????

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thisisnotaname | Jan 13, 2012, 01:38 PM EST

The latest CDC "Dog Bite: Fact Sheet" includes a disclaimer regarding its study, saying that "it does not identify specific breeds that are most likely to bite or kill, and thus is not appropriate for policy-making decisions related to the topic. Each year, 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs. These bites result in approximately 16 fatalities; about 0.0002 percent of the total number of people bitten. These relatively few fatalities offer the only available information about breeds involved in dog bites. There is currently no accurate way to identify the number of dogs of a particular breed, and consequently no measure to determine which breeds are more likely to bite or kill." WhatISinAname - Get a life. I've seen your posts all over the internet. You have an opinion on everything, don't you. Guess what noone cares about your opinion, and you know it. You're just some evil troll looking to bring everyone down. Go outside and find yourself a productive hobby, stop hanging out on the internet all day voicing your opinion under an anonymous name. They should probably put you down instead of this dog. It's a safe bet the world would be a better place with Lennox in it and you gone. You pitbull racist.

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whatISinAname | Dec 04, 2011, 10:44 AM EST

rostrevor.. the typical Irish Argument.. Ignorance is bliss to the Irish that is why their society is falling apart cant compete in the big bad world....

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rostrevor | Nov 29, 2011, 09:40 AM EST

WhatISinAname Your’re a twat..Typical American, have to have more than your share of everything, including your opinion!!!

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whatISinAname | Nov 06, 2011, 07:44 PM EST

So lets do it again for the slow ones. Two types of dogs top the list for the past 10 years killing humans in the USA. “Pit bull type” dogs and Rottweilers. Now what these people are really arguing is that if the same owners of these dog killers had instead owned Irish setters or Poodles that there would be no statistical change in the amount of dogs killing humans. With me still or do I need to explain it. Then they go on to argue that dogs, well they are like a gun It is the humans fault. There are no bad breeds. If the human only did this or that it would have been different. Sorry, not so. The statistics do not bear out your argument. Pit's and Rot's are killers. They lead the list. Why do they lead the list every year? Because there is something in their nature that will relentlessly grab hold of you and kill you.

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whatISinAname | Nov 06, 2011, 07:36 PM EST

Oh by the way, tell the anti treaty crowd that Belfast is not part of Ireland.

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whatISinAname | Nov 06, 2011, 07:35 PM EST

ahh, I was waiting for the ignorant ones to come out. The ones who don't look at Math, Science or Statistics but rather find their meaning in life from the opinions of celebrities like celebrity dog trainers. Not that they have any self or financial interest in saying what they say. Or the ones who get their information or "Facts" as they cal it from the Save Lennox website. Quick try and understand this, the save Lennox website is out to change a court decision by public opinion, they will say anything to do so.

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sparkle.diamond | Nov 06, 2011, 07:03 PM EST

One last point BELFAST IS NOT PART OF IRELAND. IT IS PART OF THE UK. I love all these stupid Americans banging on about their "Irish" heritage but they dont even know the geography. Geez.

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sparkle.diamond | Nov 06, 2011, 07:01 PM EST

The big problem is humans. Control your dog. Train your dog. Do not let your dog loose. Keep your dog leashed. Love your dog. Breed only matters in regards to the humans ability to handle it. Open your brain people. HUMANS OWN DOGS. HUMANS ARE SUPPOSED TO CONTROL THEIR DOGS. LENNOXES OWNERS DID ALL OF THE ABOVE.

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sparkle.diamond | Nov 06, 2011, 07:00 PM EST

Also, whatsinaname, facts are as follows - the dog was taken because he LOOKED a certain way. He never harmed anybody. He had been licensed for the past five years by the council. Dog warden was caught red handed LYING about the dogs aggression. Fact is you are a moron. Regards xoxo

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sparkle.diamond | Nov 06, 2011, 06:56 PM EST

Whatsinaname - I get so tired of arguing with ignorant people like yourself in regards to dangerous dogs. First of all, you may want to check your spelling. PIT bull. Second of all, Lennox was blood tested and found (guess what) NOT to be a pit bull. Reputable dog trainers all over the world will tell you that there are no bad dogs, just bad OWNERS. Like a dumb ass who has 2 pit bulls yet lets them loose to kill a horse. Fool shouldnt have a dog. I bet you never worked a day in your life with dogs, THEREFORE your ignorant opinion is VOID. Thank you.

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