Petition to Support Mark Stevenson and His Dog Soxs

#ProtectSoxs

For anyone living in Canterbury, you’ve likely seen Mark Stevenson and his beloved dog, Soxs. For years, they have sat peacefully in town, bringing joy to countless passersby. Soxs has always been known as a friendly, gentle dog, and many in the community have enjoyed stopping to say hello.

Recently, however, Soxs has been subjected to increasingly harsh restrictions. First, he was no longer allowed to play with his ball. Now, he’s been forced to wear a muzzle and remain on a lead at all times. This feels deeply unfair for a dog who has brought nothing but positivity to the public.

These restrictions stem from a recent incident in which security staff approached Mark in what he described as a stressful manner. In response, Soxs instinctively nipped at the guard’s cargo-style trousers a minor, harmless reaction under pressure. The guard was not harmed, yet the incident was escalated, leading to police enforcement of the muzzle order.

Anyone familiar with dogs knows that they react to the energy around them especially when they sense their owner is under stress. For a dog with Soxs’ calm and loving track record, this reaction does not justify the level of punishment being imposed.

Mark himself is a kind, approachable man who clearly loves and cares deeply for Soxs. This situation has left him visibly distressed and, to many, it feels like he is being unfairly targeted. What began as a peaceful, joyful presence in Canterbury has now been met with unnecessary force and overreach.

We believe this treatment is disproportionate and wrong. We’re calling on local authorities to reconsider the muzzle order and allow Soxs to return to the peaceful, friendly life he has always lived.

Mark deserves better. Soxs deserves better. Let’s stand up for them.

#ProtectSoxs