No doubt you are all aware of the awful situation in Ireland with a dog called Lennox that through no fault of his own is now on Death Row.

This petition is not intended to lay blame at anyones feet, but to implement I hope some sanity into this situation and focus purely on what is good for Lennox. Regardless who is to blame,it is Lennox who is facing Euthanasier, not his family nor the Council.

It is understandable considering Lennox is being judged on his breed and tempremant to be swayed by emotion rather than logic and reasoning however the following simply cannot be denied:

 

The bare basics of law that has to be followed by the local council and its residents are as follows:

1 - Pitbull type breeds are not allowed within the area that the Barnes family live

2 - If a dog is found to be a Pitbull type breed, the animal has to be siezed

3 - After gaining permission from the court the animal will be destroyed

 

The council proved Lennox was of a Pitbull type breed, and after many denials his owner finally admited this was true. The Barnes family foster animals from local shelters,so would have been more than aware of the law on Pitbull type breeds and the law of the area in which they lived. So ask yourself this, should Lennox being siezed by the council and the subsequent court order giving permission for him to be destroyed really come as such a surprise?

The facts are that the council officials were simply acting upon the law within that area,they were doing their jobs. They did not bring Lennox into the Barnes home as a puppy aware of what his breed was. Whether we like coincil officials or the law they have to abide by or not, the facts are they were doing there job! How they did this at this point is irrelevant, they were simply carrying out the law.

Sending abusive and threatening letters to the council and allowing ourselves to be swayed by other parties transferring blame possibly because of their own guilt in this matter, anger or other reasons is not going to do any good what so ever. This type of reaction has never been productive in bringing about a just conclusion in similar cases, nor will it ever achieve this. It has proven futile to look towards Lennox's family in hopes they would refocus their attention on Lennox and away from their own needs at this time. http://www.change.org/petitions/demand-lennoxs-family-stop-denying-options-offered-to-them-that-could-save-him-from-the-executioner

There seemingly paranoid response to this was and I quote:"The Family will NOT consider allowing those who are interested in the publicity for themselves through Lennox's name become involved in his case"

 

SO WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Rather than focus on the what has gone wrong in this case, who is to blame for Lennox being on death row, or how wrong the law is... Only by working together productively as an online community and positively targeting one of the only two parties in this case that:

*By law is allowed to apply/propose a change in the original order

*Has no concerns if a third party/organisation gains attention from freeing Lennox or not

*Does not appear to seemingly have their own agenda

*Could give Lennox a chance of freedom and a new life.

............This party I would be Belfast Council.....................

 

TAKE ACTION NOW:

1)Send the generic letter (See below for letter and email addresses) or choose your own wording Remembering

*DO NOT be abusive, aggressive or tell the council how horrible they are

*You will catch more Flys with something sweet than you would with something sour!

2) Sign and Share this petition as far and wide as possible.

 

Generic Letter & Email addresses to send to

 

To whom it may concern

Reference: Dog called Lennox.

Please note that I have chosen to send you this generic correspondence as it echoes fully my opinions and belief on this subject and the contents of this correspondence is to be given the same considerations as though written in my own words.

I truly understand the difficult position that the council employees and the council departments were forced into in regards to seizing the above mentioned animal. I wholly appreciate and sympathise that you and your colleagues were simply following the rules within your area as laid down by law.

It has become apparent that Lennox's breed was possibly known to the owners prior to you seizing him, and meant you had no choice but to follow the law and take the animal and follow the expected legal procedure in such a situation, and that other parties in this case may have been more of a deterrent in the proceedings than a help.

I am aware that legally only the two parties involved within the case,being Belfast Council and The Barnes family are able to make any proposals or requests of the court. Sadly within this case the only party that is not interested in retaining attention for themselves is Belfast Council and this is why today I am contacting you directly.

Though many would suggest that it is far too late in the proceedings to do anything about this, nor according to the law can anything be done, legally this is not the case. Whilst the animal is alive and other options available for the council to take,there is always a small shred of hope that could bring about a more just conclusion for Lennox and still retain the councils stance legally within this case. After all this case is not about the Barnes Family but about an animal who through no fault of his own has become entangled in a horrible situation that he may pay for with his life.

Alternative Option – East Galway Animal Rescue is outside of the Pit bull ban area,who have previous took responsibility and rehabilitated such a dog as Lennox in the past, and they have confirmed that they are more than willing to step in and take ownership/responsibility for the Lennox.

East Galway Animal Shelter Contact details are as follows:

Website: http://www.egar.org/

Email: webmaster@egar.org

I a sure that you are aware an appeal is being lodged by the Barnes family, and also that the Council is legally within their legal rights as the first party to propose to the court/agree a change within their original requested order.

The council could agree/propose that only under strict conditions you are willing for the destruction part of the order to be be changed and a new order be implemented where Lennox is ordered to become the property of Egar Animal Shelter, and by them taking immediate responsibility/ownership of Lennox,that he shall be rehabilitated away from the public and outside of the Pitbull ban area.

If the council were to take this route, this most certainly would not be Belfast Council admitting defeat or that the origins of your case were wrong. This would simply be the council listening to reasonable public opinion and requests, and allow a dog who by no fault of his own, the chance to live and become a loving companion in the future for another family.

Time without doubt is running out for Lennox and thousands are looking to you, not to point blame, but as the only party in this case that would be willing to find an alternative outcome that would disperse any concerns or fears that the court or the public may have.

I truly hope that you will consider the above, and that a just and fair conclusion can be got for Lennox. It is not too late, during the appeal the Council really could make such a wonderful change to an innocent animals life.

Yours Sincerely

 

(Add your name & location here)

 

 

Email addresses:

complaints@belfastcity.gov.uk​,mcnaneyp@belfastcity.gov.uk​,wylies@belfastcity.gov.uk​,dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk​,elwoody@belfastcity.gov.uk​,lightfoots@belfastcity.gov.uk​,franceyw@belfastcity.gov.uk​,animal.welfare@dardni.gov.uk​,private.office@dardni.gov.uk​,info.office@niassembly.gov.uk​,ps.ministers@ofmdfmni.gov.uk​,ndodds@dup-belfast.co.uk​,nmccausland@dup-belfast.co.uk​,uup@uup.org​,sfadmin@eircom.net​,a.maginness@sdlp.ie