Ernest Dempsey — For one thing, these “Superpowers” are weird—excelling not only in some form of “superiority” or “power” (as they would like to call it) but even in attitude. To be biased, they would be “superbiased” and this holds for breedism as well. To be on par with the breedist hysteria against pit bulls in America, Britain is now showing signs of the same plague of breedism. In fact, the British version seems even more severe, “blind”, and intimidating—what we may call “superbreedism”. If this sounds too much, read on to learn about Lennox—a dog that has been in captivity for more than 600 days now in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Lennox, an American Bulldog-Labrador cross, lived happily with his owner family—the Barnes—until the fateful day of May 19, 2010, when three Belfast City Council Dog wardens suddenly showed up along with the police. Asking the police to leave, the wardens socialized with the family a little (enjoying tea and smoking cigarettes) before turning to Lennox and measuring its body with dressmaker’s tape, and without any bit of involvement from a dog expert or professional. This “sophisticated” measurement at once led them to decide that Lennox was “likely” from the pit bull breed—which (maybe as a trend-following antic) is considered dangerous in the country and hence is a banned breed. Thus started the trial of the poor dog that never had any record of aggression, or even any proof of being a pit bull in the first place.
Lennox was “arrested” and taken away to be kept in captivity by the Belfast City Council which put him to official trial for a death sentence—the crime: “appearing to be like a pit bull”. This mockery of judgment was complemented by the council’s constant avoidance of attending calls or attempts of contact by the Barnes family. On the contrary, the family was contacted and threatened with dismissal from their job if they refused to surrender the dog to the authorities.
The law took about a year to decide on the case and, in March 2011, ordered Lennox to euthanasia via lethal injection because he “looked” dangerous. Caroline Barnes, the dog’s owner, appealed the court’s sentence. But the appeal was denied by a judge named Henry Rodgers on the basis—and it is worth reading with held breath—that Lennox was a “dog with teeth” that “might” bite someone. Hard as it is to believe, the available information does tell that this slaughter of judgment and reason happened in the court of a developed superpower. A super powerful court indeed if we consider the impact of its decision not only on the life of an innocent creature but on the very belief that courts are places where wise men make sane decisions.
The Barnes family again filed papers of appeal in October 2011 to ask the honorable court to review its decision of killing Lennox, pointing to the legal errors found in the case. In November last year, there were reports that the decision regarding the appeal was due on November 11, 2011. But the actual status of that appeal remains disputed; some sources claimed that the court rejected the appeal on January 13, 2012; but officially, there has been no statement from the authorities or the affected family relating the case. And in this fateful silence, only a caring soul can hear the cries of a loving dog that was ripped from its comfortable home and family and thrown into a prison for over 600 days, each moment of which is emotional torture and irrevocable injury.
Britain may be a superpower. But is it powerful enough to realize the gross abuse of law and judgment that is sprouting on its soil and taking toll on the life on its land? From what we know about Lennox, justice is in “intensive care” in Belfast courtrooms and those who can help are way too confused by “looks” of things to help salvage the spirit of law in its true from. Lennox is said to have a very short time to live as the court ruling on the appeal is expected to come out around January 26. Meanwhile, public campaign for Lennox’s release continues and appeals to international readers have been made to write to the City Council and other people in important positions as listed on the Save Lennox website. Maybe we still have time to save Lennox from a judgment that will end the trust, whatever remains of it, in Britain’s judicial system.
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Note: Readers can help Lennox by writing to media, officials, and animal rights organizations in Britain and in their own country as well as blogging about the above post. An online petition is also open to receiving signatures from anyone who wants Lennox safely returned to his owners.
I cannot believe this? Why aren’t any of the higher so called “Honorable” courts stepping in? At the very least where are you celebrities, why are they not stepping up? Why are the citizens of Belfast not coming together as one? For the decent hearted people who are helping out the whole world applauds and thanks you as for the rest of you cowards just one word “KARMA”….FREE LENNOX
Tracy, maybe the citizens of Belfast realise that sending Lennox back to his cage in the barnes back yard is to dangerous. If the family had really wanted Lennox safe then they should have sent him to southern Ireland when they had the chance. The sad fact is four other dogs have gone home under the exemption because they were socialised, trained and not unpredictable around strangers. Lennox, in my opinion, was a status dog for craig and by definition had to be agressive around strangers. This makes him dangerous. What should happen is that Lennox should be sent to a rescue where type dogs are not illigal and be re trained and then rehomed to a loving family. He should not go back to craig because he will suffer a life chained up in a yard. Is lennox innocent? YES, is he unpredicatable? YES does he deserve to die? NO Should he go back home? NO should he be allowed to live out the rest of his days out of northern ireland? YES. So if people want lennox to live they must pressurise the family to propose that to the courts and the BCC. They had this option before and refused it. Now they must set aside their own agendas and egos and save lennox by letting him go to SI
Why has Lennox bend held for so long! He needs to be returned to his owner. I wish that the world would get better education about Pit Bulls. The People in Belfast need to step up for Lennox and other dogs on BSL. The Dogs are not the problem here. Please Free Lennox!!
The world is watching. Lennox is loved all over the world. Love from Florida sweet boy
We need to contact the World Wide News media, I am trying to email CNN now but w. technical difficulties. Also, try emailing the “Lord Mayor” of the Belfast Council (who is only 25)lordmayorsoffice@belfastcity.gov.uk
We only have a few days left!
I pray that this poor baby will NOT be put down. I am in the USA and I am praying with all my might that this baby will NOT be put down…please do what you can!
Maybe even the Queen..she’s a staunch animal lover. Lennox is NOT a PIT BULL..the judge is very hard nosed and i think he cares more about his pride than saving Lennox
Bless
Marcy, Lennox is classed as TYPE. It matters not what breed or cross he is, he measures up and that is the stupid law in the UK. The judge works within the constraints of the law and must abide by them. The queen has no say in the law or how it is managed. Also sorry to burst your bubble but the queen loves her animals on a plate and regularly shoots pheasant, duck, grouse etc. She also came under fire for having her landmanager kill all the foxes on her land when they attacked her birds?? Some animal lover.
I pray that this poor baby will NOT be put down. I am in the USA and I am praying with all my might that this baby will NOT be put down…please do what you can!
Maybe even the Queen..she’s a staunch animal lover. Lennox is NOT a PIT BULL..the judge is very hard nosed and i think he cares more about his pride than saving Lennox
Bless
THREE studies in THREE different counties by THREE totally different groups have been done showing “pit bulls” NO less likely to show aggression than other dogs in showing aggression. WHAT does it take to education people?
One study was done in Canada at the Univeristy of British Columbia and of the two other studies one was in Germany and the other in Denmark.
Do YOU see these studies in mainstream media? NO they are to busy selling fear as THEY know FEAR sells papers! Worst is when politicans PANDER to it! Breedism like Racism needs to be abolished and the fact that politicans are legislating this kind of discrimination and profiling is REALLY SCARY.
We are watching the case of Lennox the dog from Sweden and are appalled by how this family and their innocent Labrador bulldog cross has been treated. UK used to be a world leader in animal ethics. If a private person in Sweden treated a dog as North Ireland/Belfast City Council have done they would get “djurförbjud” i.e. banned from having an animal again. They should quickly release Lennox. I have tweeted your article to @Number10gov and @niexecutive.
If Lennox’s story was made into a movie, what would the ending be? How would the Belfast Council be portrayed in the end? Murders or Saviors?
I am from Germany and in my opinion this judge sentence is a crime…
1. Lennox is n o t a type of a “dangerous” pit bull!
The declaration itself of a “dangerous breed” claiming a list of some breeds is discriminatory. Not these breeds are dangerous in general, but either the human beings as owner of big dogs (perhaps especially of pit bulls, too) are dangerous. They often need these dogs for their own ego boosts or, in other cases, are not straight enough to handle a big dog with great care and responsibility. But here, in this fact, LENNOX’ FAMILY IS RESPONSIBLE !!
2. Lennox has n e v e r shown any sign of aggression!
He showed in each situation his defensive language. WHAT IS THE BASIS FOR HIS CRIME RESP. DEATH??
3. Lennox has been separated for such a long time that it seems more to be an abuse than appropriate to the species “dog”, which has in normal need his family (with 4 legs or 2 legs).
4. And at least: Mistakes happen all over the world, every day, every second…. what is the own glory worth against a life of a living creature? Nothing… Threfore, it is more glory for all involved to let Lennox free and with his family. HE HAS ONLY THIS ONE LIFE !!
I’ve followed the Lennox case from day one it’s disgraceful that he’s still being held. I will support this END BSL even after the Lennox case concludes. These judges don’t like to go against each other. This needs more powerful people behind it. I don’t think the British Government can be blamed its the idiot judges in the Belfast courts and the wardens who lied constantly. Northern Ireland hate being part of Britain truth be told but as soon as these cases come up Britain gets the blame for the stupid judges. This still needs to end though. Police in London released a dog recently it was pitbull type. British courts wouldn’t let it get this far this case needs power behind it. I suggested an epetition to the government 100,000 signatures and over has to be looked at in parliament
yes we need to have get an epetion to the goverment 100.000 signatures,and continue to complain to release Lennox.let me know were i sign.you have my email.
Is there anyone in Britain or Ireland that can get something going for the Parliament? this probably should have been done ages ago.. I think most petitions have been sent to the Belfast City Council. That was probably a big mistake. Maybe the Save Lennox petition could be sent to Parliament. I do not know the first thing about petitions. We really do need to get these petitions into the most powerful hands.
Thank you.
Ohio- USA
Please return Lennox to his family. He is not an aggressive dog and should never been detained. It is a disgrace. Shame on everyone involved of keeping him fron him family. It is animal abuse. For god’s sake show compassion.
Sara any idea who in Parliment we can email?
Unfortunatly Tracy the people of Belfast don’t care about Lennox, at his last Court Case only 5 supporters turned up. Because most of the support is outside the UK and on the internet Belfast Council know they can kill him and get away with it. There has been talk of boycotts but tourist figures are projected to be up because of the Titanic 100 years events. I’m ashamed to be an Irishman.
Many, many, US based rescues have tried to save this dog. Celebrities have as well. Their hands are tied since this is Northern Ireland/UK.
Ernest thanks for your article and continued work to truly help animals in need. Your professionalism is wonderful and your compassion is evident in your writing..Lets hope Lennox is returned to his family..
As far as I am concerned any country that treats an animal in this way for looking like something else is not a ‘superpower’ it is a country that is in need of reviewing it’s legal systems, it’s laws and the way it treats ‘suspects’ and their owners. I am English and right now I am very ashamed to be so. I am very anti BSL, blame the deed not the breed is my motto. Most so called dangerous dogs are only that way because of bad owners.
This situation truly is unfair, wrong and completely without merit. Lennox did absolutely nothing to warrant this punishment. You have not only harmed and innocent animal, you have harmed an innocent child. I had the opportunity to buy a Christmas present from a company from Ireland, but refused because of the mistreatment Lennox has been shown. Please, you don’t have to say it was a mistake, you don’t even have to say you are sorry. Just be man enough to do the right thing in the end. Return this family pet and assistance dog to the child that loves and needs him.
Free Lennox poor dog.
Send Lennox back home to his family where he belongs.
I believe that Last Paragraph before the Note Should say Public instead of Pubic. Should probably edit that real quick so as not to make people giggle at the end of a very serious article
I have nothing new to add, only to repeat that this sweet animal has never been aggressive and is being sentenced to death only because of the “possiblity” that he could one day bite someone? What happened to “innocent until proven guilty”? This is profiling and stereotyping of the worst kind. This type of belief would lead us to jail and execute someone who “looked” like they were going to commit a crime. Ludicrous in this day and age regardless of where you are. Please, powers that be, re-think this horrible situaton, return Lennox to his family. It takes a strong person to admit they made a mistake and right a terrible wrong. God bless whoever helps and saves Lennox.
please someone help Lennox he has been in captivity for 600 days for no reason,he was pulled out of his home and family,he is an american bull dog half labrador,da dog wardon took it upon himself to measure him and said he looks like a pit bull and they have set date to put Leenox down,as he sat with the family having tea and smoking,then just took him away.please please someone help a poor dog who did nothing wrong.contact the city council in BELFEST BRITIAN.HELP LINE CALL 02890270270 OR RELEVANT SERVICES DEPARTMENT.THANK YOU 028903202002
I’ve been following this case for a long time (I was in the 17000′s on the petition) and it still boggles my mind. Lennox should have been sent home long ago, and would have been if the courts cared about facts and doing what’s right. Let’s hope the courts listen this time.
This is sickening and so sad. Take a loving animal away from his family strictly based on the way that he looks, even though he is innocent of wrong doing? Where is the compassion that we as humans are supposed to possess? If this were to happen to a person, it definitely would be considered descrimination and racism. Why shouldn’t the same laws of protection apply for dogs? They are living, breathing beings that feel happiness and pain just as we do. This is so unfair. To those who are in control of this situation and are able to turn it around: PLEASE, WE RESPECTFULLY ASK…FREE LENNOX.
I hope and pray that Lennox can go home to his family..i too am ashamed to be Irish and Belfast City Council have a lot to answer for..do the rite thing and let this poor baby go home to his loving family where he belongs!!..please everybody get behind him and do what ever you can..FREE LENNOX X
I usually dont get involved in these protests, but this is one of the most unjust things i have ever encounterd. It is just totaly wrong what is happenning to this poor dog. I hope and pray that someone that has the power will do what is right for Lennox and give him back to his family.x
Poor guy! please they need to let him go home to his family. 600 days? I am praying very hard that Belfast city coucil can make the right decision,the right thing to do if you have a heart or a soul. Do people not get it its not the dog its the owners that make these dogs aggressive i have had many pitbulls not one of them ever bit, or even seemed the slightest bit of aggression to anyone or any other dog. I’m just saying that some people abuse these dogs and they dont know how to train them. They are just like any other dog. I know this family is hurting! PLEASE FREE LENNOX!!!!!! Pround pitbull ownwer and i will protect him and all dogs till death! BELFAST DO THE RIGHT THING WHILE YOU STILL CAN!!!!
I can’t believe this either, this is just heartwrenching!!! I am sending emails off today to all the officials. And believe me this gal won’t be visiting that area ever!!!!
Hang in there Lennox, we pray for you that Belfast does the right thing and returns you to your family… They should be totally ashamed of themselves…..
BELFAST FREE LENNOX TO GO HOME TO HIS FAMILY WHO LOVES HIM!!!!!
Starting a petition to Boycott Belfast and DEMAND the Olympic Committee NOT to allow the torch to go through Belfast unless Lennox is released..Ban the Torch from going through Belfast.
this is disgraceful what harm has this wee dog done eh not his fault he looks as he does and i think he looks gorgeous . let him go home you evil idiots how would you like to be sentenced to death just because you look a certain way . what is the world coming to eh .
go and lock up the idiot causing trouble and the ones teaching wee dogs how to fight each other . DONT BLAME THE BREED BLAME THE HUMAN!
The Belfast council should be tried and euthanized for being ignorant.
This is so ridiculous!! Maybe we should start euthanizing some PEOPLE because they look a little shady. Too many damn people in this world anyway! WTF???
And does anyone know which website would be the best to write to about this? They show a list of a couple dozen but I don’t have time to write to ALL those people! Anyone have a clue?
This is a beautiful loving dog, and anyone wanting to murder this poor innocent dog that should be at home with his family. I’m sure they’re devistated and grieving knowing their beloved Lennox will die at the hands of Morons who know nothing about this breed of dog. I have 3 dogs that look so much like Lennox and they are the most loyal, loving and sweet dogs I have ever owned. They’re not vicious or aggressive in any way… but people who judge this breed of dog obviously haven’t ever owned a dog like Lennox or been around one or they would know how wonderful they are. You’re not God, and you don’t have the right to take this family member away and be the judge, executioner,or should I say murderer!!!! Return Lennox home!!!!!!!!!!
This is a beautiful loving dog, and anyone wanting to murder this poor dog is crazy!! His family is devistated and grieving knowing their beloved Lennox will die at the hands of Morons who know nothing about this breed of dog. I have 3 dogs that look so much like Lennox and they are the most loyal, loving and sweet dogs I have ever owned. They’re not vicious or aggressive in any way… but people who judge this breed of dog obviously haven’t ever owned a dog like Lennox or been around one or they would know how wonderful they are. You’re not God, and you don’t have the right to take this family member away and be the judge, executioner,or should I say murderer!!!! Return Lennox home!!!!!!!!!!
When a dogs life is put before a Court to-Judge- on its life-Judge-Henry Rodgers-Belfast-is basing his judgement on, the dog looks of a pit bull breed with teeth and could be -Dangerous !!.What a judgement,having no Dog experience.If Law is Based on looks-GOD-HELP US.!!
This is sickening.To condemn a dog by how it looks,or even by breed,is inhumane.It has been done to humans also over the years.The Holocaust ring any bells?
This must stop.Send this dog home where he belongs.Do not persicute a dog by look,or by breed.It is not the breed,it is how the dog is raise, treated,& trained.
This is so wrong,it just breaks my heart that as a species we don’t seem to learn not to be cruel & cold hearted.
For one let me say this.. I’m 21 and I have been raised around pitbills all my life and they are the sweetest dogs. Their behavior all depends on how they are raise that goes for all dogs. They shouldn’t be able to band a dog just because they way it looks. If that’s the case why don’t they just kill people because the way they look. If any dog should be band it should be any dog that has chow in it they are the mean ones and I have a scar on my had to prove it. I have never been bit by a dog my entire life until I was around a chow just last august. I am completly against this!! Give these people their dog back it hasnt done anything to hurt anyone or anything it deserves to live. Hell the let murderers live why won’t you let a innocent dog live?
My daughter and her husband own 2 pitbulls, they are the most amazing, loving dogs you could ever meet, – we have met the father and all the siblings and they are all the same, – gorgeous!
Please join us in our boycott and share the petition:
http://www.change.org/petitions/free-lennox-no-olympic-torch-for-belfast
http://www.facebook.com/FreeLennoxNoOlympicTorchforBelfast?sk=wall
This is insane. I have recently adopted a pit bull and have found him to be friendly. I can’t believe how much breedism there is against pit bulls. I see though that in the wrong hands these dogs could become a problem. They are all muscle and very strong and can be very protective of their owners. That is why owners must take responsiblity for their dogs…all dogs no matter breed or size. Bo my pittie just loves children and is friendly to people unless he thinks they are going to hurt me which I quickly correct that behavior. Bo is my first Pit but I have other dogs that have had bad reps like the rottweiler, Chow and German shepherd along with those little ankle biters Chihuahuas. Clearly this dog has done nothing wrong. It amazes me how stupid people can be.
Stupid people! They cant just take him from his family, and not consult an expert first. Dont the owner have som paper on Lennox from the breeder? Just because a dog look dangeros an “might” bite some one, dosent mean that they ever will do that. How many people dont we have to put behaind bars just beacuse they look dangeros… Here in Sweden we have many dogs that have big theeth, looking dangeros, but are the most sweet dogs and probaly wood some of the dogs take a bite of someone somtime, but its the owners fault most times,anf a dog will bite if the feel danger for they family, every dog protect their family, and every owner protect their dog, becuse it´s familiy. Pitbull or not, a dog is a dog, and in right home and hands the most dangeros dog can be like a puppy, and a cihuahua can be like a wild lion. And what I can see on the picture he sure dosent looks like a pure pitbull. Keep upp the fight for Lennox. With all my heart i wish he could be with his family again. / From Sweden
Jolene, Lennox is not a pittie or even a pittie mix. He is in jail and in danger of losing his life because of fools wielding their “power,” and because of all the lies told by the dog warden and the so-called expert who is nothing more than a dogwalker and has no degree or training in being a dog behaviorist. Yet, the judge, and I really wonder how he got to be a judge because he is not fair, decided that Lennox should die because he “might” bite. These people, including the Belfast City Council, refuse to admit they made a mistake, so now it is an ego thing for them, a power trip which they mean to win at all costs, and unfortunately, they don’t care about Lennox. They do not care about his family. They do not care about any of us. The only thing they care about is the fact that they want to murder Lennox.
There are people on FB on one of the Save Lennox walls that are spreading it around that the Barnes family lied about Lennox and that they agreed in court that he is a pitbull and that the warden did not lie. They think Lennox supporters are uninformed and dense to put it bluntly. Throw in judges who should not ever have been judges and it does not look like Lennox has a chance at all. This is so unfair to Lennox and his family.
only people are dangerous. if only humanity had pitbul feelings. Everything would be so damn easier. ***Free Lenox***
Free this precious creature! I signed the petition and posted on my Facebook wall. Please make sure you do the same and ask the same of others.
It is sad when the authorities go in and rip a dog from the family circle. Lennox is NOT a Pit Bull. DNA has proved that but you won’t allow it into court. You have bullied and tortured this family long enough. Suck it up and admit your wrong and return Lennox to his family. The whole world is watching this and you need to make it good.
NO OLYMPIC TORCH PASSED THROUGH BELFAST—FREE LENNOX
THE ANIMAL ARMY FROM AROUND THE WORLD WILL NOT STOP TILL LENNOX IS HOME.
I’m so verry disturbed by this story. No one has proven that Lennox is a pit bull or has even committed a crime. If you judge this dog by what he may or may not be, then how do you treat your people of different origins. Do they get the same treatment. I feel sorry for all of you if this is the way it is. FREE LENNOX. He has a loving family waiting for him who LOVE him.