Bruce, the NI ‘pit bull type’ – long (but urgent) post!

[sharon@rescueremedies]

The latest news is that Bruce’s barrister has applied for a judicial review. I don’t know if it has been granted yet but counsel has promised that Bruce won’t be destroyed untill every legal avenue has been explored.

This means that Bruce won’t die on Monday but he is still condemened and his life hangs in the balance. It vital to keep up the pressure and keep emailing/writing. We may get little or no notice next time.

Our emails to NI ministers are getting brushed off with referals to Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development.

I’m trying to find some sympathetic NI politicians that we can write to who might help pin down Robinson, Kelly and McGuinness. See below:

Please email the following regarding Bruce. They are mps in the area Bruce was taken from. Please forward everywhere!

more urgent contact details

North Down constituency has six MLAs (think each constituency has six elected)
MLA = Members of the Legislative Assembly

Alex Easton
Stephen Farry
Peter Weir
Leslie Cree
Brian Wilson

Alexander Easton DUP ???

Stephen farry ???

Peter Weir DUP pjweir@hotmail.com

Leslie Cree UUP Leslie.cree@northdown.gov.uk

Brian wilson???

or facebook pages

Here’s Peter Weir
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Farry-MLA/71584014663#/group.php?gid=57364012878

Here’s Stephen Farry MLA
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Farry-MLA/71584014663

Brian Wilson
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Farry-MLA/71584014663#/aldermanwilson

Thank you!!!

[sharon@rescueremedies]

New bruce video. Please crosspost, guys!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aQLog460Io

[kerrie and stan]

i cant watch the videos they just make me cry :'( i have mailed everyone that you have posted and i hope that i have helped at least a little.

[sharon@rescueremedies]

Another update:

The Irish News ran an article on Bruce today. 😀

Northern Ireland Assembly members are describing their inboxes with words like “inundated”.  😀 

Statement of support from the KC:

quote :

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.

http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/3077/kennel-club-hits-out-at-treatment-of-death-row-dog-bruce/

No reponse yet from the RSPCA or USPCA so lets push them hard:

http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/Utility/Contact

and

enquiries@uspca.co.uk

[sharon@rescueremedies]

Keep the pressure up … !

New song by Maria Daines, for Bruce

http://www.myspace.com/mariadaines

[sharon@rescueremedies]

Latest Bruce news…

Here again with a new vid too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH6Vd9n2uOg

RSPCA join in the criticism:

quote :

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.

[kerrie and stan]

i was sent this:

Hi Kerrie,

Thank you for drawing this to our attention by copying us in on your message to Mr Johnson

I would like to point out that VetNI is the secretariat for the profession and does not employ any veterinary surgeons, however Bruce’s case has been brought to the attention of the veterinary associations in Northern Ireland.  VetNI does not offer comment on specific cases particularly if they are still under consideration by the courts, and cannot speak on behalf of every individual vet in the province, however most practitioners in Northern Ireland would be supportive of the BVA policy (http://www.bva.co.uk/public/documents/ps_dangerous_dogs.pdf) which endorses the Government’s aim of protecting the public from dog attacks whilst opposing any proposals which single out particular breeds of dogs rather than targeting individual aggressive dogs.

Kind Regards,

Jo 

Jo Gibson

Secretary General, VetNI   

[sharon@rescueremedies]

Yep, I had the same too!  But we sure are keeping them busy and Bruce’s story is gaining momentum and keeping current.  Keep the letter going in  ;D

[sharon@rescueremedies]

Global protests planned!

quote :

                                                                                      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.

[sharon@rescueremedies]

The latest update …

“The ‘Save Bruce’ email campaign started just over a week ago and I’d like to recap over what has been achieved so far by YOU.

The campaign has spread around the whole world. I have personally been fielding emails from Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada, Portugal, Spain, France, Holland and Wales. Campaign organisers have also received support from Argentina, Italy, Scotland and elsewhere.

The volume of the response has been huge. Northern Ireland Assembly member McFarland’s office said they had been “inundated” with emails. David Brown of Northdown Borough Council said they had been “inundated” with emails. If these people have been inundated then so have all the other targets including the Home Secretary, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, etc.

The story has attracted enough attention to be covered by CNN, The Irish Times and, at least, two radio stations (not to mention the dog press, K9 Magazine, Dogs Today, etc., etc.)

The campaign has prompted statements from The Dogs Trust, The Kennel Club, the National Canine Research Council and the RSPCA.

Three politicians (so far!) have come forward to offer both help for Bruce and help to prevent this travesty from occurring again.

Hundreds have joined social networking sites and the Bring Bruce Home petition has added over three thousand signatures in the last seven days bringing the total to over 12,000.

Protests are being planned in America and elsewhere and I guarantee that none of this would have happened – none of it – but for the people, like you, who have taken time to sign the petition and write the emails to the dozens of contacts put forward.

Well done to everyone. We are getting through. We are being heard. Right now, I imagine, Northdown Borough Council et al are fervently hoping that the outcry is going to vanish as quickly as it appeared.

But that’s not going to happen.

Please help keep the pressure on. If you have written to the suggested contacts and not yet had a reply then please write again. And again”.

[sharon@rescueremedies]

Candlelight vigils are being held around the world for Bruce, the alleged pit bull type in Northern Ireland.

On 23rd July peaceful vigils will be held in New York, Dublin and London.

In London the vigil will be held at 9.00 – 10.00 p.m. (evening) outside the Northern Ireland Office in Millbank, SW1. If you are within striking distance then please come along and support Bruce’s cause.

Come on, guys! Lets save Bruce.

For those who can’t come (perhaps you have commitments or are just too far away) you can still join Bruce’s Virtual Vigil by holding vigil at home and sending pics to mail@dangerousdogsact.co.uk

Important

If you would like to attend the London vigil please email John at john.robinson@cfidos.co.uk

Since the vigil is within the restricted area around parliament he needs to keep police informed of expected numbers. If attendance exceeds estimates then we may be prevented from congregating.

Thanks everyone – appreciate your support at this crucial stage.

[sharon@rescueremedies]

There has been a HUGE legal development for Bruce.

Everybody knows that Northern Ireland doesn’t have an amendment to allow ‘type’ dogs to live. The Dept. for Agriculture and Rural Development even reiterated this point in written answers to the Northern Ireland Assembly as recently as last Sept.

quote :

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

http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/qanda/2…008/080926.htm

It turns out….

They lied.

Northern Ireland does have its own version of the amendments and has done since 2001. They just forgot to tell anyone!

Forgot to tell Ballymena when they set about their dog massacre. Forgot to tell County Antrim, too, when they set about their own massacre…

quote :

“The first thing you have to be aware of is that the Amnedment 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)

http://www.ourdogs.co.uk/News/2006/D…06/outrage.htm

Bruce now has a valid legal defence to argue in his favour to compliment the public campaign, thanks to the diligence of campaigners who have painstakingly unearthed the complicated jigsaw of legislation.

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

Full story here:
http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/3244/d…te-on-deathrow/

[sharon@rescueremedies]

From London, outside the Northern Ireland Office in Millbank, SW1 – 30 second sample video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn0J8tQBne8

[sharon@rescueremedies]

Here’s the second video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsWmoxyYMRE

Here is the 3rd video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePeUyFCNPuA

Maria Daines made a video of the candlelit vigil too …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhMET8EiBe0

“Bruce remains in custody and under a court order of destruction so we can’t say things are going well.

However, in the face of hopelessness, DDAWatch have discovered a legal argument that may prevail but now we wait for a court date before that argument can be tested.

In the meanwhile it is imperative that we keep the pressure up and make sure that Bruce’s support is widely noted where it counts”.

[sharon@rescueremedies]

Heres the latest …

“In a bid to keep piling on the pressure and help Bruce, the alleged pit bull type held under sentence of death in Northern Ireland, DDAWatch have begun a new email campaign. Please, please, please copy or rewrite the following letter and send it to the contacts listed below.

quote :

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,

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland – Shaun Woodward MP

Northern Ireland Office, 11 Millbank, London, SW1P 4PN

Fax: 01744 24306…

http://www.shaunwoodward.com/enquiry.html

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson MP MLA – First Minister
Martin McGuinness MP MLA – deputy First Minister
Jeffrey Donaldson MP – http://www.jeffreydonaldson.org/AdviceCentre.asp
Gerry Kelly MLA
Email: ps.ministers@ofmdfmni.gov.uk

Letters to: GD36 Stormont Castle, Stormont Estate, Belfast BT4 3TT

http://www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/

Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP – Home Secretary
Letters to: 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF,

Email: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

ruby.cooling@northdown.gov.uk

harry.dunlop@northdown.gov.uk

roberta.dunlop@northdown.gov.uk

wesley.irvine@northdown.gov.uk

info@wjmontgomery.co.uk

alan.chambers@northdown.gov.uk

leslie.cree@northdown.gov.uk

marsden.fitzsimons@northdown.gov.uk

ian.henry@northdown.gov.uk

info@austenlennon.co.uk

alan.graham@northdown.gov.uk

alan.leslie@northdown.gov.uk

james.mckerrow@northdown.gov.uk

marion.smith@northdown.gov.uk

anne.wilson@northdown.gov.uk

brian.wilson@northdown.gov.uk

david.alderdice@northdown.gov.uk

ellie.mckay@northdown.gov.uk

ian.parsley@northdown.gov.uk

diana.peacocke@northdown.gov.uk

enquiries@uspca.co.uk

Alexander Easton DUP Alex.Easton@niassembly.gov.uk

Stephen farry stephen.farry@allianceparty.org

Peter Weir DUP pjweir@hotmail.com

Leslie Cree UUP Leslie.cree@northdown.gov.uk

Stephen farry stephen.farry@allianceparty.org

or facebook pages

Here’s Peter Weir
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Farr…gid=57364012878

Here’s Stephen Farry MLA
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Farry-MLA/71584014663

Brian Wilson
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Farr…/aldermanwilson”

[Author]

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