Read more: Belfast City executes dog for looking like a Pit Bull
A Belfast dog warden who was not responsible for the imprisonment of Lennox, a family's pet dog who was thought to be a pit bull, has been spoken about the abuse and intimidation she has suffered.
Yolanda Ellwood said she was "scared and threatened" by the campaign that has been mounted in support of Lennox. The dog is to be put to death because it is was thought to be a pit bull type, which is untrue.
Ellwood had received a petrol-soaked letter, had her car tires slashed and the window of her home smashed in. She also told the Belfast Telegraph that her disabled son was beaten up and left with a black eye by a stranger who supported the free Lennox campaign.
She said "I was not directly associated with Lennox but I was singled out as the target of hatred…There were some horrible remarks made about myself and my colleagues — people said we were ‘evil bitches’, ‘murderers’, ‘Nazis’…There were calls for retaliation against Yolanda Ellwood, saying they were going to start with me. My name was all over the Internet.”
In May 2010 Lennox was picked up by Belfast City authories. They suspected that he was a banned pit bull breed. Lennox is a 5-year-old American bull dog and labrador mix. The dog's owner Caroline Barnes launched a campaign to save the family pet after he was condemned to death. The dog belongs to her 12-year-old disabled daughter.
Over 30,000 people have joined the campaign online and by signing petitions. Some supporters are also launching attacks against the Belfast dog wardens.
Ellwood said "On Monday and Tuesday of this week I was getting upwards of 70 abusive emails a day…I don’t see this stopping until a final decision is made regarding that dog.”
She also said "I don’t believe she’s behind the attacks and I think she would be horrified to be linked to it…I feel sympathy for her — we don’t want to rip a dog away from its owners, because we know how hard that can be.”
Barnes said that she did not condone the use of violence against the wardens.
Some well-known celebrities are also lending their names to the "Save Lennox" campaign. Names such as Alyssa Milano, Kelly Osbourne, Sam Fox, Boy George, Ian Somerhalder from "Lost" and "The Vampire Diaries", Cesar Millan (better known as "The Dog Whisperer"), and Victoria Stillwell (celebrity dog trainer and host of Animal Planet’s "It’s Me or the Dog").
On Twitter Stillwell spoke about how the opposition to the campaign has had her Facebook page blocked and says she will continue to provide information about Lennox's campaign on her blog. Cesar Millan wrote on his website that he does not believe in breed bans and said that Lennox's breed does not have behavioral issues.
Read more: Belfast City executes dog for looking like a Pit Bull
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Vogit | Jul 11, 2012, 02:33 PM EDT
It was just reported on the Examiner, that folks are calling up BCC to request confirmation of Lennox's death and the staff is making pig noises in the phone or sheep's noises and saying he is just a dog. So you tell me, who's abusive. The world is mourning and they are doing this the morning after his death??? Pretty much confirms mistreatment for the dog. I so hope the owners can sue these people.
Gordita | Jun 19, 2012, 06:40 PM EDT
The hate mail is wrong, goes against the campaign! I think people threatening anyone are not true Lennox Cause followers. The true followers are trying to dig inside those people's hearts to get Lennox free! But something that is nagging at me is the real reason why no one is allowed to se him, not even a vet?What are they trying to hide? Is he emaciated? Or is he still alive? Has anyone, outside the pound seen him lately?
Boxerangel | Jan 23, 2012, 09:34 AM EST
DOG WARDEN TERRORIZED???? FUNNY THAT, WHAT ABOUT POOR LENNOX AND HIS FAMILY,WHAT DO YOU CALL THAT FROM THE AUTHORITIES???????
Boxerangel | Jan 23, 2012, 05:54 AM EST
Just cruelty beyond belief...... you need to seriously think what you are doing...
Boxerangel | Jan 23, 2012, 05:53 AM EST
At the end of the day Ireland you NEED to admit you are WRONG and let LENNOX free.He did nothing and never has and, anyone can see he is a labrador foremost with american bulldog in him so why do u still feel it necessary to confine him in the most inhumane barbaric conditions where,he is suffering immensly.HE'S DONE NOTHING.THE OWRLD IS WATCHING YOU.THERE WILL BE UPROAR IF YOU GO THROUGH WITH THIS RIDICULOUS KILLING FOR NO REASON.HE IS INNOCENT OF EVERYTHING AND NEVER EVER DONE ANYTHING.....
kgrenda | May 15, 2011, 04:39 PM EDT
It's wrong to single out any one person in this outrageous act. Lennox should of been released long ago. Even this report states "...because it is was thought to be a pit bull type, which is untrue." To the person who post under the name "Pittsburghkid"...WTH? Didn't you read this? Are you just "trolling" for anything "pitbull" so you can spread your lies? Read before you post, ya jackass!
pimigri | Apr 12, 2011, 04:38 AM EDT
Hi, I am from Germany, supporting Lennox. I never had any reply to my e-mails from Mrs. Yolanda Elwood about Lennox. I was wondering why she is not able to answer the e-mails because this has to be her job as well, except taking innocent dogs from families. She is the dog wardens boss, why would she denie to be, this whole thing stinks to heaven. She stated that it was too stressful to let the family see his dog? I am sorry, but does a Yolanda Elwood really care about Lennox not being stressed? He is locked up in a dark and tiny kennel for 11 months now, and that is her fault, and she cares for the dog? I would fall off my chair laughing if it wasn't so sad and outrageous. The whole story is a drag, and there is no way out of it except letting Lennox go home and admit to be wrong. Northern Ireland is on its way down, that is for sure.
june123 | Apr 11, 2011, 08:49 PM EDT
Recieved a petrol soaked letter that should say.Typo city when I'm this mad
june123 | Apr 11, 2011, 08:48 PM EDT
To add to my previous posts about this Yolanda Ellwood is the dog warden manager who oversees the wardens who took Lennox.As far as I am aware she was not the warden who claimed to have released a petrol soaked letter because different woman was questioned about that on a radio show. If Ellwood had nothing to do with Lennox how come she is the one who has repeatedly refused to let the family or the family vet visit him? "Wed Jul 07, 2010 3:36 pm Just had a reply from Yolanda Elwood today regarding visitation to Lennox. Elwwod states that allowing our Daughter and ourselves to visit Lennox would be far to stressful for him!" That is what Ellwood has been doing and that is a direct quote. The dog wardens do not go willy nilly applying for warrants to take dogs and that woman is their boss,so I'd say she had a lot more to do with it than she is willing to admit.Not only that she outright lied by presenting herself as just a dog warden when she is not. We have still had no reports to confirm any police action,reports or case numbers involving any of the alleged attacks,threats or incidents. I know she has recieved a hell of a lot of emails about Lennox,as have other BCC staff.To those emails all anyone has ever had is a standard reply that she is out of the office. I cannot speak for everyone but the vast majority off Lennox supporters have emailed her asking why,how,what for,and supporting Lennox and his family.It was made very clear that nobody should be abusive in any way. So let's see the emails? Oh and by the way,the letter soaked in petrol either couldn't be produced or had been destroyed it was claimed in that radio interview. Anybody see a pattern here?
mamaginnty | Apr 09, 2011, 04:57 PM EDT
Oh and I do love dogs of any breed.
mamaginnty | Apr 09, 2011, 04:57 PM EDT
would the 30.000 or so, and the famous names not be better to stand up and be counted in trying to get peace back in the North of Ireland again, I bet not...
Pittsburghkid | Apr 08, 2011, 06:29 PM EDT
Kill the Pit Bull before it kills a human. These dogs are trained killers. If it bite your leg, the dog will continue to bite (with it's powerful jaws) until the bone is broken. In dog fights, there is only one bred, the Pit Bull. A Pit Bull will kill a wolf in a dog fight. Kill the Dog.
MarthaAnne | Apr 07, 2011, 06:36 PM EDT
Cesar Milan IS A FIRST CLASS IDIOT AND MORON who uses physical restraint on dogs and should not be listened to. He is NOT kind person to animals. But it is sickening that this dog is being held by Belfast authorities and extremely cruel to put him on the euthanasia list. People can be so ignorant. Outrageous.
june123 | Apr 07, 2011, 06:13 PM EDT
Over 40000 people have signed the online petition and the page on Facebook has over 30000 supporters. Note more on the petition than the page. This decision was wrong in its entorety but BCC cannot admit that and just let the dog go home.This week the family were back in court to find out how much they would have to pay for Lennox kennelling and food for the past year they have had him,and to lodge the appeal.BCC asked for £7000 in costs,the judge refused to give them any.And that says something.
june123 | Apr 07, 2011, 06:10 PM EDT
I'd like to correct something.Yolanda Ellwood is not a dog warden who would have been involved with the removal of Lennox.She is a a dog control manager at Belfast City Council who very likely was. Having said that we have not seen any reports of involvement by the police in these alleged attacks,which as it stands is all they are.The letter soaked with petrol?It has never been said that was handed over to the police,nor have any of the other incidents. Maybe this paper can ask for police crime numbers on these incidents. I also strongly state that any legitimate supporter of Lennox is not involved in any of these alleged incidents. No proof has ever been shown or put forward for any of this.Unless and until it is these remain unsupported allegations. There have also been complaints about harrassment by email of BCC departments.One complaining that it had recieved over 80.Well,when you have tens of thousands of people supporting an unjust decision such as that taken in Lennox case you are going to get emails.Again I swould say that legitimate supporters have been stating the case,their objections and asked for some commonsense in this case.I cannot speak for everyone.I would suggest you do not believe all you read.
LoneAngel | Apr 07, 2011, 05:19 PM EDT
Not mentioned is that her son was in the pub at the time he was attacked, as she has stated on other interviews. Everything seems to be being blamed on the Lennox campaign, I believe it is just to try discredit the whole thing!
Shannonjackson | Apr 07, 2011, 02:46 PM EDT
Sounds like extremists on both sides of the issues are using this case to "battle it out". Both sides could use their resources for a larger problem. They should make an exception for this one dog and go after whoever is cross breeding, causing problems like this one.
fuzzbutt | Apr 07, 2011, 12:53 PM EDT
I have 3 bulldogs, 2 American/English bulldogs, and 1 full english bulldog. I have had trouble getting my registered in my city because the vet only said "bulldog" on the paperwork and "Pitbull Terriers" are also banned in my city. My dogs would rather lick you and be petted than anything else in the world. Mix breeds should NOT be included in a ban!
Faith20 | Apr 07, 2011, 12:08 PM EDT
What's next, people jailed for not looking right? Oh, wait...
Kilbarry1 | Apr 07, 2011, 12:01 PM EDT
So Pugsmom is sorry for Yolanda's disabled son who was beaten up by a stranger who supports the Free Lennox campaign AND he is equally sorry for the dog. Everything would be OK if the dog was given back to its family. I repeat what I said before. ...."Hate-filled thugs look for a scapegoat who they can abuse in a "socially acceptable" way. They are NOT acting out of concern for animals, still less for human beings."
Celticlas | Apr 07, 2011, 11:44 AM EDT
Violence is not going to solve the problem, and those who are targeting people with the violence need to realize they are hurting the cause, not helping. Perhaps Lennox's family could speak out against such tactics. With that said, while I'm sorry you and your family have been targeted unfairly, it is no less than what BCC has done to Lennox and his family. Perhaps you have been given the gift of seeing this and will do what you can to reunite Lennox with his family. The whole world is watching Belfast, do the right thing.
pugsmom | Apr 07, 2011, 11:39 AM EDT
So, just give the dog back to the family!! What the hell is the problem....are the authorities holding on to Lennox, now, out of some lame brained sense of power, or "we're the bosses and we're going to prove it" attitude? I am sorry for Yolanda and her family, but equally so for this poor dog and HIS family! Just admit you're wrong, Belfast City "authorities" and release the poor puppy to his rightful owners!!
Kibb1e2011 | Apr 07, 2011, 10:15 AM EDT
I would like to say to Yolanda if you are reading this. I would like to offer my appologies on behalf of the "Save Lennox" campaign... I am a supporter of the campaign, it has become close to my heart, however the kind of people which do things as you describe are shunned within us and have been told to stop their actions wither they be physical or simply writing comments on social sites by the family and other supporters alike! I can assure you that the VAST majority of "Save Lennox" supporters can do so peacefully and without the need for violence or threats. Once again, appologies on behalf of us all and I hope you can find peace and safety soon without all this rubbish going on with you getting targeted. -K x
Kilbarry1 | Apr 07, 2011, 09:45 AM EDT
"Ellwood had received a petrol-soaked letter, had her car tires slashed and the window of her home smashed in. She also told the Belfast Telegraph that her disabled son was beaten up and left with a black eye by a stranger who supported the free Lennox campaign." .............. This kind of public hysteria - usually generated by the media - is becoming commonplace. It has been used for years to target prisoners who have served sentences for sex crimes and is now being extended to people who have committed no offence at all. Hate-filled thugs look for a scapegoat who they can abuse in a "socially acceptable" way. They are NOT acting out of concern for animals, still less for human beings.