Long-time followers of my blog are already aware of my disdain for the Belfast City Council and their puppy-stomping minions, the Belfast City Council Dog Wardens.
It all started last year with the (illegal) seizure of Lennox the dog. Certain breeds of dog (along with a goodly number of personal hygiene products and, apparently, common sense) are banned in merry old Belfast, you see.
The fact that subsequent DNA testing proved Lennox is a Lab / bulldog mix and NOT a prohibited pit bull did nothing to secure his release. No. The Belfast Dog Wardens had declared Lennox a menace, and as proof of their assertion they were quick to point out that Lennox was (gasp) a big black dog.
To make a long sad story short, Lennox was imprisoned in a tiny wire cage where he was surrounded by his own feces. Now, I understand this arrangement with fecal matter on the floor is probably considered quite chic among the households of the Belfast Dog Wardens, but the photos of Lennox which leaked out were horrific to most humans.
But that's where poor Lennox has been, for over a year now. His 'case' has been heard by a handful of judges and 'dog experts' who can most charitably be described as somewhat lacking in the higher mental functions. Seriously. I'm not sure how one becomes a judge in Belfast, but I'm beginning to suspect the process involves picking the short straw, or perhaps being the last man standing in a no-holds-barred grain alcohol drinking contest.
Regardless, one after another, these paragons of legal wisdom and frequent all-you-can-eat buffet patrons upheld the original assertions that Lennox, who had never had a complaint spoken against him, who had a proper license, and who was a well-loved family pet, was actually a slavering, bloodthirsty beast in disguise.
The 'dog expert' was the most idiotic and laughable of the bunch. One of the Dog Wardens even perjured herself. But at the last hearing, none of that mattered - -yet another pinhead judge, eager to curry the favor of the City Council, sentenced poor Lennox to death.
Yesterday, at the very last moment, a stay of execution was ordered, as Lennox's family makes one last stab at getting him set free. Here's the link to the story:
Last Chance
So take a moment, if you will, and spare a prayer or two for Lennox, a big black goofy dog who just wants to get out of that tiny cage and go home.
Oh, and Belfast City Council, and Belfast CC Dog Wardens?
Screw the lot of you.
It all started last year with the (illegal) seizure of Lennox the dog. Certain breeds of dog (along with a goodly number of personal hygiene products and, apparently, common sense) are banned in merry old Belfast, you see.
The fact that subsequent DNA testing proved Lennox is a Lab / bulldog mix and NOT a prohibited pit bull did nothing to secure his release. No. The Belfast Dog Wardens had declared Lennox a menace, and as proof of their assertion they were quick to point out that Lennox was (gasp) a big black dog.
To make a long sad story short, Lennox was imprisoned in a tiny wire cage where he was surrounded by his own feces. Now, I understand this arrangement with fecal matter on the floor is probably considered quite chic among the households of the Belfast Dog Wardens, but the photos of Lennox which leaked out were horrific to most humans.
But that's where poor Lennox has been, for over a year now. His 'case' has been heard by a handful of judges and 'dog experts' who can most charitably be described as somewhat lacking in the higher mental functions. Seriously. I'm not sure how one becomes a judge in Belfast, but I'm beginning to suspect the process involves picking the short straw, or perhaps being the last man standing in a no-holds-barred grain alcohol drinking contest.
Regardless, one after another, these paragons of legal wisdom and frequent all-you-can-eat buffet patrons upheld the original assertions that Lennox, who had never had a complaint spoken against him, who had a proper license, and who was a well-loved family pet, was actually a slavering, bloodthirsty beast in disguise.
The 'dog expert' was the most idiotic and laughable of the bunch. One of the Dog Wardens even perjured herself. But at the last hearing, none of that mattered - -yet another pinhead judge, eager to curry the favor of the City Council, sentenced poor Lennox to death.
Yesterday, at the very last moment, a stay of execution was ordered, as Lennox's family makes one last stab at getting him set free. Here's the link to the story:
Last Chance
So take a moment, if you will, and spare a prayer or two for Lennox, a big black goofy dog who just wants to get out of that tiny cage and go home.
Oh, and Belfast City Council, and Belfast CC Dog Wardens?
Screw the lot of you.
