Bruce

We do not understand why a pit bull type dog (based purely on its looks) in one part of the UK is regarded as more of a danger than the same dog would pose in another part.

Statement on pit bull type dog in Northern Ireland – 10.7.09
It is wrong that an entire breed of dog should be banned purely on the basis of its genetic make-up, without any consideration of an individual dog’s characteristics and temperament.

The Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act 1997 was introduced in England and Wales so that the automatic death sentence on all pit bull type dogs was lifted. If Northern Ireland had adopted this amendment, many family pets identified as being pit bull types would be allowed to live out their life with their owners in accordance with the law. They would not be forced to spend their final days in kennels before being inevitably destroyed.

The RSPCA continues to campaign for the government to reassess its current dog legislation and shift emphasis from the four legs at the end of a lead to the two legs at the other. We want irresponsible owners to be held accountable for their actions, not their dogs.

JOIN OUR CALL TO "PAWS"

"Paws" for a moment of silence and join us in lighting a candle in honor, support and recognition of our beautiful canine friend, "Bruce", an innocent victim and pawn of Northern Ireland's Breed Specific Legislation law.

We can not do many things for Bruce as he still sits - just under 2 years - caged, isolated, and physically neglected at the hands of a government agency. These laws were enacted to decrease harm to its' citizens but is now causing harm to many dogs, including Bruce, and their families.

We can not break him free.

We can not ease his confusion and sadness of being taken from the only home he has ever known.

We can not relieve his suffering, and the pain that he continues to endure, nor can we replace his once-beautiful and healthy tail, now amputated from this government's abuse and neglect.

What we can do is pause "paws" for a moment of silence and light our flame in honor of "Bruce", in support of his steadfast-unwavering courage, continuing trust and devotion, and in recognition of his undeniable "spirit", that continues to touch the world.

We can "paws" to honor all of our canine friends and their families around the world who have lost their lives to Breed Specific Legislation and Dangerous Dog Act Laws, this criminal - breed genocide law, and vow to make a change, worldwide, one goal, one purpose, uniting us all in solidarity to repeal this law of inhumanity.

On Thursday, July 23rd 2009 at dusk in your part of the world, with your beloved pets safe at your side, light a candle and "paws" for this powerful moment of silence in honor, in support, and in recognition for all of us fighting to "Bring Bruce Home" uniting to make a change for "Bruce" and the many lives already lost--so that they did not die in vain.

Capture the moment with a digital photograph or video and please send to: mail@dangerousdogsact.co.uk and/or http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10616243761 so that we may record this historical moment in our fight for justice and publish these touching moments for the world to see.

"Such dogs are destroyed unless their owner can prove that they are not of a banned type"

"The first thing you have to be aware of is that the Amendment to the Dangerous Dogs Act, which allows pit bull 'type' dogs to be registered and rehomed, does not apply in Northern Ireland" said Nigel Devine (Antrim Borough Dog Warden)

Staffie Rescue wrote:
But how many dogs have died because they were denied their rights by a State that would rather just kill them than seek justice?"

Dear

I am contacting you further to my previous email regarding the tragic case of “Bruce”, the alleged pit bull terrier type held by Northdown Borough Council. I remind you of the facts regarding Bruce.

Bruce is a friendly dog whose temperament has never been in question.
Bruce has a loving family whose only wish is to see him live.
The authorities have held Bruce for nearly two years costing thousands of taxpayer’s money.
Bruce’s condition while incarcerated deteriorated badly, shocking the world.
Bruce’s only “crime” is in his appearance.

In my previous contact with yourself, my request was that you help to intervene and save the life of a friendly pet. I would like to ask this again however it seems no longer enough to request solely for Bruce, as Bruce is one of many dogs that may be found guilty in appearance under the Breed Specific Laws in effect in Northern Ireland.

It is on behalf of all dogs, whose crime is in their appearance, that I now contact you and ask that you make a stand against the needless seizure, detainment and potential destruction of dogs such as Bruce and request that all sections within Article 25 of the Dangerous Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 be repealed from the legislation.

Breed Specific Legislation has been proven to been ineffective at tackling the core problem of irresponsible ownership. Its failure to increase and promote responsible ownership has meant that areas with BSL around the world have failed to see a decrease in incidents with dogs and in many areas these are reported to have actually risen. The Netherlands has noted this failure and has acted accordingly by repealing their ban on breed types.

BSL is also ineffective at reducing the barbaric “sport” of dog fighting. The Welfare of Animals Act contains provisions to deal with those guilty of this offence yet the maximum repercussions for those who abuse and kill innocent creatures are equal to those for a caring owner of a friendly dog whose only crime is in the dog’s physical appearance.

Is it not time that Northern Ireland turn their focus onto those who, intentionally or otherwise, fail to provide for the health and welfare of their pets by ensuring a responsible upbringing of those animals?

I understand that a move to repeal the Breed Specific Aspects of the Dangerous Dogs Act may be considered controversial but I would ask you to question whether or not it is also controversial to continue to back legislation that does not work, cannot work and leads to the destruction of healthy friendly family dogs.

I look forward to hearing your response on the matter

Kind Regards,

We have heard an update regarding bruce's situation. Shannons legal team have applied for "case stated" and there is to be a hearing on the 11th August , this coming Tuesday. We are not certain of how the legal system works in NI but we think (think!) that this hearing will be to set out the case and it may then be able to be put forward to the court of appeal at a future hearing.

If we come into any more information we will let you know. Please do keep everything crossed for shannon and especially for Bruce this tuesday regardless of what the hearingis. His fate may depend on it!