Family Admits Defeat in Battle to Save Lennox
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The Barnes family issued the following statement yesterday:
We apologise for the silence as we know our many friends and supporters around the world have been desperate for news but until we had further talks with our legal team we had nothing new to share. We needed to explore all possible options before we issued another statement as we did not wish to give those that have campaigned so tirelessly any false hope or for anything to be taken out of context as has happened in the past.
Whilst there may well be errors in the Judge’s ruling from a point of law this has little bearing on whether we can or should progress by taking the case to a higher court. The ruling is based on the Judge’s decision that he deems Lennox to be unsafe despite evidence given by those qualified to assess and understand dog behaviour that contradicts the testimony of the Prosecution that was presented in court. This has given us little room for manoeuvre.
Our concern and priority has always been the welfare of our beloved boy. We have fought to have Len returned to our family from the moment he was seized but we have been advised that the legal fight is at an end. We are obviously distraught but have to consider the impact that any future lengthy legal battle would have on Len if we chose to go against the advice that we have been given. We cannot subject him to any more as there are no grounds for a further appeal and we do not wish to prolong his suffering any longer by engaging in a battle that we simply cannot win.
We have attempted to write this statement many, many times but have struggled to put in writing that the fight to spare Lennox’s life may well be over. It has been almost impossible for us to accept that we have to admit defeat. We always believed that there was some hope and that justice would prevail. We were wrong. There have been many dark days for us since Len was taken and we want you all to know that it is your support and kindness that kept us going through the blackest times.
This is all we can share with you at the moment and we are finding it hard to come to terms with the fact that there is nothing more that we can do from a legal point of view and that Lennox may well be killed. We have one last hope that Belfast City Council will allow Lennox to be rehomed in the USA. The offer is there but we have no say in whether this offer will be accepted. We have never refused to rehome Lennox. That decision was taken out of our hands from the moment Len took his final walk with us from our house to the Dog Warden’s van.
If the offer is turned down we will fight for our right to say goodbye. We cannot bear the thought that Lennox will die without being reminded of the hearts and hands that love him.
Thank you.
GOD BLESS HIM and May he RIP. . .<3<3<3<3
Hey now, he isn’t dead yet!!!
This is just so sad and so wrong. They fought the good fight to save this precious dog and now we can only hope the Belfast City Council finds it in their hearts to re-home him in the US where he can be free.
Heart break♥
so sorry
This is just depressing.
I will hope and pray they allow Lennox to be rehomed here in the USA, I am certain there are many many people who would so be willing to give him a loving home here, thoughts and prayers to your family and Lennox, never stop fighting for what you believe in!
I am in tears for you, we are fighting so hard to keep our boy alive, because of health issue. So to be in your situation is unthinkable, I have no words to say that will help you, but my thoughts, tears and sympathy is with you and your family and most of all, your beautiful Lennox.
Michelle
Australia
Woof woof!
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Unfortunatey, I have a feeling that Lennox is in such poor condition that Belfast will refuse to allow him to be re-homed in the U.S. Probably why they are refusing the family’s request to say good-bye:( Shame on you, Belfast City Counci!!
Woof woof!
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so sad
;((( so sad… ;( poor Lenny and owners…
What a sad, sad state of events for an innocent soul! Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and above all Len!
Let’s hope for the last chance… to be rehomed in the USA… <3 <3 <3
Oh my gosh. My heart is breaking. I can not even imagine how hard this has been on them. =(
so sad
My heart goes out to Lennox and his family. What an utterly soul destroying position to be in. It breaks my heart that so many evil deeds committed by humans go unpunished, or get a slap on the wrist, yet, those who wield the power want to destroy an innocent dog and his family, just because they can. When will this madness stop?!
Please dear God let these humans come to their senses.
Heartbreaking
oh no…
): xxx
God bless you all my thoughts and prayers are with you.
hope he gets rehome why kill a wonderful dog who has done nothing wrong
What did he do?
Nothing- a tape measure said he was a pitbull- that might bite someone some day- DNA says he is a Boxer X bulldog- but that evidence was not allowed to be submitted to the court.
<3
Belfast City Council – Shame on them!!!
So wrong the system really let u down. Sad
This is sooooo wrong, ppl are so stupid sometimes. Hope they rehouse not put down.
I still don’t understand why this poor dog needs to be put down if they have proven its not a dangerous bread
That is heartbreaking.
BSL is BS!!!!!!!
That is soo sad. I hope he can be rehomes in the USA and not have to die. Fingers crossed, and please keep us updated. So heartbroken right now.
What is the story, what happened to that puppy?
Still in disbelief that they are getting away with this. Never will me or mine ever visit Belfast in Northern Ireland. That government is lower then dirt in my book. May they never have another good nights sleep. May there conscious be ridden with guilt and there heart be broken with hurt. May they always be reminded of their abysmal actions regarding an innocent animal and the family who loves him. Personally I hope they all rot in hell for this.
Woof woof!
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its funny how we have to pay to feed & house criminals who do unspeakable thing to people but an animal that fits into a category can be killed.
RIP.
May he R.I.P <3
So sad, I can believe there is people like this, cruelty through a justice institution?! Unbelievable!
So sorry and sad….
god bless you all send him to the usa this is so damn wrong but government can do anything their doing it here
it seems that in this time of history we still as supposed “enlightened” people we still manage to be this stupid, pretty soon it won’t be just pits, i wonder what they would say about Irish wolfhounds, one of the largest breeds, bred to kill wolves, would hurt someone? would they classify that as a dangerous dog? stupid laws made by stupid people afraid to admit that they are stupid doing stupid things, stupid!
Woof woof!
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Ughh..
http://www.savelennox.co.uk
Why this situation even came about? Lennox will grow up to be a sweet loving dog if raised by a loving family. There’s nothing wrong with the dog, but there’s something very wrong with humans. Its hard to comprehend this discrimination. Where has common sense gone?
Woof woof!
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so sad
With all the organizations that have proved that pitties are so sweet & it is the owners who cause & train this sweet dogs to be vicious, how can Belfast be so “backwards” or hate to say ignorant in it’s decision. I can only imagine how this family feels ~ so very sad for the family & poor Lennox.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I send love to you all- especially your precious dog. Jxoxoxox
I hope God will see these evil people for what they are. Maybe it won’t matter to them because they think their above God don’t they. Hope they rot in hell
Disappointing but not surprising. Northern Ireland appears to be a backward nation–one that’s filled with hatred and intolerance, especially considering their 30+ year political unrest with the IRA. They kill their own people. Why should dogs be any different? I will gladly refrain from traveling there–at least until big changes are made.
Hang on Natalia, not everyone in Northern Ireland is “backward” and “filled with hatred and intolerance”!!!!
Whilst I have every sympathy for the family and Lennox, and think what’s happening to the poor dog is a disgrace, please don’t label an entire nation in such a manner….perhaps we could label your neck-of-the-woods in an similar manner for any crimes that have happened there but surely that’s the sort of thing that breeds hatred and intolerance in the first place!!!?!
Shame on you, Belfast City Council. … I hope this comes back to every one of you. Let Lennox be rehomed in the US, since you can’t do the right thing and send him home. Prove you aren’t total garbage.
I hope that the judge will have some humanity left in him to rehome this dog to another state or other country where there is NO DISCRIMINATION on how a dog looks like.
I still find the judge very faulty. A judge cannot rule on something he thinks. A judge is there to rule on the documents presented to him! The vets have clearly stated this dog’s DNA that it’s no a pitbull that it is a mix. To me that judge isn’t doing his work right.
Woof woof!
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praying for you lennox!!
How could they do this?? This is a tragedy. They wouldn’t even let him be taken to a dog friendly city.
I just cannot understand why they won’t give this poor dog back to his family???!!!!
I am so very sorry xx
Oh. It looks like they had to get through all the battles & now can request he be re homed to the US. Well I hope so. No reason for them not to.
*Northern
So sad…
truly heartbreaking and i am so terribly sorry for them..bless lennox and his family
Extremely pissed off is more like it!!!
Lesson to be learned people: YOU NEVER RELINQUISH YOUR DOG TO ANY OFFICIALS.., Animal Control, Law Enforcement, are not there to help you when it comes to your animals, especially with these witch hunt breed specific legislations.
No, it’s not extreme to mention that there would be a world of trouble to anyone trying to take my dog.., especially over this nonsense!
Lennox.., May God be with you.
Woof woof!
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So sorry to hear it
, I have been following this story for a while, always hoped it would turn out for the best, very sad to see it end this way
Signed petition and added some choice comments for the “cowards” on the Belfast City council. Don’t give up. Keep fighting for Lennox!!
Ignorance is sad, and what makes it worse is that innocent sentient beings suffer because of this
Can someone explain why lennox was taken from them??? I didnt get that part of the story…
Here’s a link that with the story:
http://www.savelennox.co.uk/
a link to the story…
Britain the UK has had dangerous dog breed laws for over 15 yrs…they sent a lot of bull terriers here…to save the lines…but this is not news just sad facts…there are breeds that have the tendency to be aggresive…if you don’t see it…pick up a book and read…I have seen my share of sweet pits…then wa week go by and it killed something….they are victims of design…their good at what they are breed for…
Praying that he is able to be rehomed in the US!! What an unnecessary tragedy to happen to this beautiful dog and his loving family! Prayers with you Lennox!
and yes most of the issue is the owner….not as easy to put them down as the dog,,,shame shame shame
Breaks my heart. Truly does. So incredibly unfair. RIP sweet Lennox.
The family have ran out of options now but not for the want of trying, you have fought till the end for your boy and done him proud, even if it wasn’t the outcome you wanted. Hoping he can be rehomed in the USA – whatever happens Lennox you are one very loved dog and will always be remembered by thousands xx
Praying these judges will let Lennox be rehomed. He doesn’t deserve to die simply because of who he is…..he’s done nothing wrong! Praying for Lennox and his loving family.
Read the link above to hear the story. At this point, that dog has been locked up for 776 days…it’s merciful to put him down, and not make him live out his life in these conditions. He never hurt anyone, and totally doesn’t deserve this…but maybe he can stand for other dogs in Northern Ireland. But the owners need to let it be done…because he’s suffering living the way he is…dogs are pack animals…and need to be with their pack/family. The fact that this dog has been locked up, alone for 776 days is inhumane…and the owners need to let him go…but continue the fight!!!
Heartbreaking. I hope he can be rehomed.
i don`t know how to express how much sorrow i feel for lennox and family. in lennox`s memory all we can do is keep up the fight for all our dogs .in Ireland or the united states.
Aww I cant believe they will not give back this precious dog. So unfair & not right!!!!!!!!
@Natalia Bulawka … Belfast is in Northern Ireland…Under British Rule!! not Irish…get your facts right!!
KEEP UP THE FIGHT!
I would never stop fighting i’d find a way.. animals are like kids.. would you give up on your kid…? I know I wouldn’t.. not in a million years.. I feel bad for poor misunderstood lennox..
This is too sad.
I’ve tried to imagine what it would be like to be told our boy (a setter) had to die because of his breed. Setters, like pitties, were used to kill for sport — just wildlife rather than dogs, which somehow makes sport killing acceptable. But setters are friendly, outgoing dogs they say. Well, so are pits and their look-alikes! If my argument about setters being dangerous killers is ridiculous, the arguments against pits should be, too!
Woof woof!
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so, so sad!!!
SO sad… so wrong…
PLEASE don’t give up on Lennox! There are still people trying to save him and have him re-homed in the U.S. Victoria Stilwell has been working very hard to save him. There is still some hope that these Evil cruel people will pardon Lennox’s life. God.. I hope so. This dog deserves to live..
Poor Lennox!!! Prayers for him and his parents!
Can everyone that had commented on here please visit We are thier voice (stop animal abuse) there are efforts underway to try and get him a pardon so that he can go to the US. Please all leave a comment on there and there is also
A template to write to belfast country council…im in process of writing to them now. This is so so sad fir his family, keep up the fight x
I feel that if it is accepted for this poor baby to find a home in the USA that there will be so many people that will want to take him in….myself included. I hope for everyones sake they will spare this beautiful darlings life….the whole situation is beyond upsetting and just plain wrong <3
It is so unhuman and so unfair that a life, has to be decided for a racional human being , that off racional doesnt has anything! Poor off those who abuser from their power in order off the profession they execute, SHAME ON YOU MR JUDGE! But in the countries and with this false lawys is always same shit corruption rules to the one, who will pay more cash to win the JUDGMENT!.
P.S. – Who makes your born in this earth is not dead, he is waiting for you when you passaway!
A Pitbull crossed with a Labrador , can earn the genetic of a Pitbull and a the physicollogic part of a Labrador.
Where are our scientis, when they are needed!
Greetings Mr. Judge come work in Portugal the most corrupt country ever in here, you will be a milionaire!
To Life with Dogs: a heartfelt thank you for sharing this and telling his story.. You have done a good deed for a dog out there xo
If your court allows Lennox to be rehomed in the US then I think your family should come here too. I have thought since the initial reports of this case started hitting the media here that what is also going on is a vendetta against your family. It is called bullying, mobbing (in your country I believe that is the term) and scapegoating depending on what country you’re in. Regardless of the label it means an individual or family is selected by the local community, backed by authorities with too much power and not enough common sense and humanity. That individual or family is targed for abuse and it usually takes the form of choosing the one highly important thing that person or family loves – in this case, Lennox – and systematically in every possible way levying systematic, relentless cruelty on both. In short, if it wasn’t your dog it would be something else. IMO you are in danger living where you live and you should strongly consider going to another country to keep you and your family safe – even without your beloved dog to go with you.
Woof woof!
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my prayers go out to the Barnes family and one of their beloved family members Lennox!
der
Hi all, can we all post our thoughts on this Belfast City Council so they may know the whole world is disgusted at them..
Once upon a time many Irish people had to emigrate to the USA now this poor dog desperately needs to do the same. I hope it’s Bon voyage dear boy & you get to go & live your life. Heartfelt sympathy to Lennoxes family. xx
This is horrible and I am crying over the pain and suffering Lennox and his family are going through. It is criminal and morally corrupt.
I will hold on to the hope Len is allowed to come to the US.
:0
Dempsey (dog)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2008)
Dempsey with his owner
Dempsey (ca. 1986 to 2003) was a female American Pit Bull Terrier, which was the subject of a high-profile challenge to the British Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. She was owned by Dianne Fanneran and lived in London.
While being walked one night in April 1992, muzzled and kept on a leash in accordance with the law, she began acting sick and his mouth was removed, supposedly to allow her to vomit.
Two police officers went on unmuzzled dog said, accusing the caregiver in the Dangerous Dogs Act. Three months later, at Ealing Magistrates Court, Dempsey was ordered to not be muzzled euthanasia in a public place.
Appeal took three years before the Crown Court, the High Court and the House of Lords, during which the media covered the story, leading activist Brigitte Bardot offered sanctuary dog at home in France, to prevent British law. [Citation needed]
The case was dismissed in November 1995 on a legal technicality, as it became clear that the owner of Dempsey, not involved in the original incident, he was unaware of the court hearing took place. This loophole means that the case was dismissed.
Dempsey was pardoned, and died at the age of 17 in 2003
Imagine if a human was executed simply for looking like he MIGHT commit a crime. Imagine if a human was put to death simply because of his appearance. It is a complete and utter disgrace, a travesty, a total miscarriage of “justice” and I hope the judge who passed this total load of bollocks masquerading as a rational decision believes in karma, because what goes round comes round and he will pay for it. The same goes for the excuse of a dog warden who gave the fairy story evidence against Lennox. The world has gone mad. God bless Lennox and his family.
So heartbreaking ♥
This breaks my heart!!!!