Why does Lennox matter?

**ames** · 07-12-2012, 06:52 PM

I have really been focused on learning all I can about Breed Specific Legislation. I have been talking with a lot of people and opinions and thought it would be nice to hear your's. How do you feel about the whole Lennox story? Do you really feel it does effect you because its not in your country? Do you think What is the big deal there are tons of dogs dying everyday who cares about this one?

If you do not know the story Lennox and his littermate brother were 5 years old. They were American Bull Dog/Labrador mutts. They had never escaped their yards and never bitten anyone. In Ireland, APBT and AmStaff were banned at the time, it now includes all pit bull "type" dogs. Lennox and his brother were on their porch 2 years ago and someone reported they were pit bulls. They were both taken from their home. Lennox was deemed a pit bull by his head size and held. His brother was returned since his head didn't measure what they classified to be a pit bull. Lennox's family fought for the past 2 years to see their dog, let alone free their dog. The "caretakers" of Lennox were filmed playing and allowing Lennox to give them kisses, but testified that he was dangerous and unpredictable. I do not know, I was not there, but after being ripped from my home and locked in a cage for years, I might be unpredictable as well. The family was not told when he was killed. They had to learn it after the media was told. They were not allowed to say goodbye, they were refused access to the body. They were told they could not have his collar back. No one even knows if Lennox was even alive all these years or if he was indeed in jail. The last appeal was to be able to get this dog to a sanctuary, that was denied.

To me, Lennox is not about the DOG, but what he stands for. That may seem harsh, yes I wanted him to go to a sanctuary, but more I wanted him to be an example of why fighting to end BSL is so important. For 2 years people have been trying to get the word out. Not about LENNOX but his story which thousands of others have to go through all the time in my country and all over the world. Attaching a face to the fight hoping to get people to understand how ANY breed specific legislation is bad. Targeting any dog just by looks or head size could get your dog killed.

So BSL deems muzzles in public, like Boston. Some deem outright murder, like Denver. This a fight EVERY dog owner should be fighting, NOT just a pit bull type dogs. It should be dangerous dogs laws NOT breed specific laws. That is what Lennox represents.

The Golden Retriever just joined the fight with us against BSL. Popular breeds being banned or restricted in America - Fort Wayne dog breeds | Examiner.com Its not about Lennox. Its not about Pit Bulls, its about BAD legislation that EVERYONE needs to ban together to help get the word out.

So I ask again, How do you feel about the whole Lennox story? Do you really feel it does effect you because its not in your country? Do you think What is the big deal there are tons of dogs dying everyday who cares about this one?

**American_Pit13** · 07-12-2012, 07:17 PM

I don't feel that it doesn't effect me, but this one dog has rallied so much support and I don't see why people are just now, over 1 dog not even in our country, seeing whats going on with BSL. Why are they not fighting the laws here?

This dog was in an area where there are breed bans. How can anyone say he is American Bulldog/Lab with no pit bull? Were the parents papered dogs of each breed? If not no one can say he wasn't a pit type dog that fell under that breed law. Thats how it goes when you choose to live in an area like that, or get a dog without realizing how serious this is.

I don't think what happened was ok at all. I am not trying to defend anything that happened over there. However to see so many people jump on the bandwagon over an issue not even in our own county when you can't get them to realize whats going on over here really confuses me.

I hope the Lennox story does get people to realize whats going on and actually DO something about it. The fact that it took another dog being killed to make people pay attention is what upsets me. There are many more dogs that have been heavily abused, and have far worse stories than this so where are their millions of supporters?

I have nothing against people caring about Lennox, no one wants to see an animal suffer, but had people opened there eyes for the past several YEARS that breed bans and breeds specific killings have been going on maybe things would not have gotten so far.

As I said I hope this opens the eyes of the public, but the death of another dog is not how I hoped the fight would start.

**Blue_Nose_Bella** · 07-12-2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by American_Pit13

I don't feel that it doesn't effect me, but this one dog has rallied so much support and I don't see why people are just now, over 1 dog not even in our country, seeing whats going on with BSL. Why are they not fighting the laws here?

This dog was in an area where there are breed bans. How can anyone say he is American Bulldog/Lab with no pit bull? Were the parents papered dogs of each breed? If not no one can say he wasn't a pit type dog that fell under that breed law. Thats how it goes when you choose to live in an area like that, or get a dog without realizing how serious this is.

I don't think what happened was ok at all. I am not trying to defend anything that happened over there. However to see so many people jump on the bandwagon over an issue not even in our own county when you can't get them to realize whats going on over here really confuses me.

I hope the Lennox story does get people to realize whats going on and actually DO something about it. The fact that it took another dog being killed to make people pay attention is what upsets me. There are many more dogs that have been heavily abused, and have far worse stories than this so where are their millions of supporters?

I have nothing against people caring about Lennox, no one wants to see an animal suffer, but had people opened there eyes for the past several YEARS that breed bans and breeds specific killings have been going on maybe things would not have gotten so far.

As I said I hope this opens the eyes of the public, but the death of another dog is not how I hoped the fight would start.

I feel the same way Holly feels and I'm not going to type just to basically repeat what she said.

**angelbaby** · 07-12-2012, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by American_Pit13

I don't feel that it doesn't effect me, but this one dog has rallied so much support and I don't see why people are just now, over 1 dog not even in our country, seeing whats going on with BSL. Why are they not fighting the laws here?

This dog was in an area where there are breed bans. How can anyone say he is American Bulldog/Lab with no pit bull? Were the parents papered dogs of each breed? If not no one can say he wasn't a pit type dog that fell under that breed law. Thats how it goes when you choose to live in an area like that, or get a dog without realizing how serious this is.

I don't think what happened was ok at all. I am not trying to defend anything that happened over there. However to see so many people jump on the bandwagon over an issue not even in our own county when you can't get them to realize whats going on over here really confuses me.

I hope the Lennox story does get people to realize whats going on and actually DO something about it. The fact that it took another dog being killed to make people pay attention is what upsets me. There are many more dogs that have been heavily abused, and have far worse stories than this so where are their millions of supporters?

I have nothing against people caring about Lennox, no one wants to see an animal suffer, but had people opened there eyes for the past several YEARS that breed bans and breeds specific killings have been going on maybe things would not have gotten so far.

As I said I hope this opens the eyes of the public, but the death of another dog is not how I hoped the fight would start.

Exactly what I was trying to say on my FB post about it. I dont agree with what happened to the dog it is sad and im not trying to down play what happened. I just hope that the people who are screaming and raising a fuss over this 1 dog continue to do so for BSL even after lennox is gone now. I just see people dying off here now that this fight was in a way lost.

These big name "dog trainers" and such making a big show over this one dog where are they when it comes to fighting general BSL cause his story is no more significant then the 1000's that die each year for no less a reason then lennox did. I kind of vaguely remember cesear not siding on the side of us bully breed owners when BSL was in his neck of the woods, infact I believe he made an argument as to why people shouldnt have this breed { could be mistaken , but pretty sure there was a fuss over him a couple years back with him not being on the "dogs" side} and yet he is jumping on this story? seems like publicity is what it takes for some of these people.

**ames** · 07-12-2012, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by American_Pit13

This dog was in an area where there are breed bans. How can anyone say he is American Bulldog/Lab with no pit bull? Were the parents papered dogs of each breed? If not no one can say he wasn't a pit type dog that fell under that breed law. Thats how it goes when you choose to live in an area like that, or get a dog without realizing how serious this is.

I don't think what happened was ok at all. I am not trying to defend anything that happened over there. However to see so many people jump on the bandwagon over an issue not even in our own county when you can't get them to realize whats going on over here really confuses me.

Actually the law, as I understand it, has just evolved to include pit bull type dogs. When they got their mutt 7 years ago it was just banning the APBT and AmStaff, NOW it includes pit bull types. Even if heitgae could be proven by papered parents or that they were just mutts according to what the law was when they got the dog. It didn't say lab, bull dog or pit bull type dogs at the time. That's why its so dangerous. So many people do not realize their dogs could be vulnerable even if they do not know what they are feeding or if they DO know it could have repercussions.

I hear you though about I agree with some of your points. That's why for me it isn't about the dog, its the same battle I have been fighting and will continue to fight daily. I really think the people who have been concerned with BSL ARE the ones who are fighting to get Lennox word out since it is happening now and the rumors that he was killed a long time ago and it was a big cover-up. I don't think many of the people I am seeing posting about it are jumping on the bandwagon, they have already been there sharing tons of stories this is just one of them.

How do you keep the ball rolling for the support end BSL? How do you get dog owners to unite and STAY MOTIVATED for the fight everywhere when it could one day be your city or town?

LovingPit · 07-12-2012, 09:46 PM

I honestly have nothing against Lennox. But at the same time, as much as I hate BSL laws I sort of side with Ireland with this one. Regardless if what breed he was, the family admitted to what he was. They brought the dog into a country with BSL and Ireland took action and removed the dog. They made a statement. As much as I am against it, they are only enforcing their laws.

There is something called research before you move. When owning a breed disliked by the majority of the world, you would think someone would look into the laws regarding dog breeds. I see this too often among families who didn't conduct the proper research and then cry and boo hoo on why their dog was taken away from them or how they are scared that their dog will be taken away from them.

I don't know if any of this makes much sense to anyone. I'm terrible at typing out my thoughts and feelings and often get misunderstood. But again I have nothing against Lennox or his story. But I am not against what Ireland did either.

MamaTank · 07-13-2012, 06:46 AM

I feel that Lennox pulled together an amazing community of people who were not otherwise united, and put the knowledge there, opened their eyes to what is so horribly wrong. Because he was NOT a Pit Bull... he was just a mutt. Not even Pit Bull mixed. I think that fact, beyond anything else, showed them that under BSL, NO dog is safe.

On the other hand.... I'm sick of seeing the "I am Lennox" posts.... They need to focus on the OTHERS that are still under the threat.

jerseypeach · 07-13-2012, 06:39 PM

BSL is an issue that needs to be done away with period! I think people need to open their eyes especially when the think it won't\can't happen to them...it can and it does. Lennox "looked" like a pitbull...yet they let his brother return to the family but kept Lennox? That doesn't make any sense to me what so ever. From the pictures that I saw Lennox endured neglect and I think that he was PTS a long time ago, especially when they would not let the family say goodbye. I feel bad that Lennox was PTS, but there are 1000's of dogs that are PTS every minute of every day and never given another thought. If nothing else the light that the death of Lennox has brought to BSL is something that needs to continue and not to dimm so that this law can be abolished once and for ALL.

**Kingsgurl** · 07-14-2012, 09:05 PM

Lennox was important because the absurdity, unfairness and down right cruelty of BSL in all it's ugliness was revealed for all the world to see. He's a symbol now. It's not that he is any more deserving of the uproar than the thousands of others that will die, it's that he REPRESENTS all those dogs now.
We need to continue the momentum now, as peoples attention is short and outrage fades. His story is a torch we can carry and we need to strike now, while it still burns

PBLN · 07-17-2012, 03:04 AM

Our co-host did a bit of research preparing for this weeks show, here is what she has found out so far, but more will be revealed and confirmed for tomorrow's show! please tune in if you can! This is a fight we ALL should be on, not just for Lennox but all dogs like him.

As far as I know, the Belfast ban was enacted around 2006. There was a period of amnesty (about 3 months) in the beginning of 2007 which permitted owners to either relocate their dogs or turn them over to rescue/shelters. Quite a few were euth'd. If my memory is serving me correctly, Lennox would have been born and owned prior to the ban being enacted. Since he was not id'd originally as a banned breed, he was registered and licensed according to Belfast's laws and had lived LEGALLY all of his life within the community.

According to stories that I've read about Lennox (no first hand-knowledge of the case), Lennox was known to the AC, whom had visited with the owners for non-Lennox related reasons prior to his impounding. I really need to read up on the history and re-familiarize myself with the whole case, but I'm pretty sure I'm remembering correctly that one day the AC showed up and asked about his breed, took a few measurements and announced they were taking him in. There was no complaint or any other reason other than his appearance.

I haven't EVER read the actual law enacted by Belfast, and have never been able to find it anywhere online. So I'm uncertain of it's actual wording, however, if the law states specifically and only APBTs/AmStaff's or not, they rely on visual ID. While I've been around APBTs for most of my life, I have to say I am not a fan of visual ID for a few reasons:
1) Because of the media's mislabeling for more than 20 years, ONLY APBTs/AmStaffs would suffer as a result of BSL if we relied strictly on EXPERT breed ID; and
2) According to my research, no registered APBT has EVER been involved in a dog bite fatality, only mixed breeds and even then, we can't be certain that any of the mutts truly had APBT lineage; and
3) Visual ID of mutts without knowledge of their parentage is far too reckless and erroneous.

Hope you all can tune in tomorrow night 8PM est Lennox - The Whole Story - The Hidden Cost of BSL 07/17 by Pit Bulletin Legal News | Blog Talk Radio

**Kingsgurl** · 07-17-2012, 04:33 AM

Visual ID is crap. The Nicholas Fabish dog was registered as an APBT, for whatever that is worth.

MY MIKADO · 07-17-2012, 01:01 PM

Does Lennox matter? To me it is the same as asking if Nelson Mendela matters of course he does Lennox could be the spokesdog of BSL he could be the face that more people remember he could change it all. Sure he was in a different country but with the internet at our finger tips the world has gotten a lot smaller.

It would be nice if people in this country cared like the tens of thousands that cared about Lennox but even if Lennox only left a spark of interest in a handfull of people then we could make some head way here in the states it only takes a few to make great changes. It just depends on how much you care about something and if you are willing to fight for it. That may mean rocking boats and getting in peoples faces but is it worth it to you.
It is to me when there was a senator that wanted to ban pit bulls here in MN over a dog that was chained in the basement and he attacked and killed the child that lived in the house. I got invovled. I called everyone in the house and the senate. I called the governor. I met with my reps I showed them Mikado. The bill did not pass but then we had a lot of vocal power going on for our beloved pit bull. We all have a voice it is up to you how loud it gets.

**American_Pit13** · 07-17-2012, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MY MIKADO

Does Lennox matter? To me it is the same as asking if Nelson Mendela matters of course he does Lennox could be the spokesdog of BSL he could be the face that more people remember he could change it all. Sure he was in a different country but with the internet at our finger tips the world has gotten a lot smaller.

It would be nice if people in this country cared like the tens of thousands that cared about Lennox but even if Lennox only left a spark of interest in a handfull of people then we could make some head way here in the states it only takes a few to make great changes. It just depends on how much you care about something and if you are willing to fight for it. That may mean rocking boats and getting in peoples faces but is it worth it to you.
It is to me when there was a senator that wanted to ban pit bulls here in MN over a dog that was chained in the basement and he attacked and killed the child that lived in the house. I got invovled. I called everyone in the house and the senate. I called the governor. I met with my reps I showed them Mikado. The bill did not pass but then we had a lot of vocal power going on for our beloved pit bull. We all have a voice it is up to you how loud it gets.

This is all true. My point it that thousands of those you see involved with Lennox were nothing more than on a bandwagon. Watch and see how many of those people actually stay committed. This went huge so of course people will stand up, but how many of these will continue to stand for the same exact fight we have had for years.

My thing with him being in another country is that you have all these people who will get together to picket and protest, but where are these same thousands of people when it comes to what is happening RIGHT HERE where they can physically make a difference?

If people could stay together like this we could defeat BSL. People are power. I just don't see them actually caring about anything other than Lennox. Not all of course, but a large percentage were on nothing more than a bandwagon. We fight BSL EVERYDAY, many others only step up when it gives them the feeling of being part of something big.