Regarding Lennox…..
Yesterday the world learned that Lennox was killed by the Belfast City Council.
from examiner.com
My thoughts were all over the place yesterday, but one thought was constant-
Could that one day be Rumpy?
It’s not far-fetched. After all, some insurance companies include Malamutes on their “dangerous breeds” list. All it takes is a few angry citizens and one short-sighted law.
is this a “dangerous dog?”
.
I’m afraid that one day that could become a reality.
.
Rest in peace, Lennox.
July 12, 2012 at 1:02 AM
they killed the gray doggie!? :’(
July 12, 2012 at 1:02 AM
July 12, 2012 at 1:26 AM
Very sad. Sometimes words can’t describe feelings….
July 12, 2012 at 1:35 AM
It makes you think, doesn’t it? I wrote about Lennox tonight too, Up on the Woof.
http://thewoof.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/the-real-bully-in-belfast/
July 12, 2012 at 2:00 AM
Can’t bear to think about Lennox’s suffering during his imprisonment. Hope he’s in a better place now. RIP Lennox.
Be a good dog, Rumpy x.
July 12, 2012 at 2:10 AM
Oh no…Rumpy….noo noo noo….you’re not dangerous at all….I’m sure that Lennox was not though….it was so unfair…..*tears*
Luckily or unluckily, we don’t have a breed legislation yet in Japan, of course, some breed like “Tosa inu” is considered as agressive one, it’s still up to the owners how train them for pets. If U.S decides you as dangerous breed, you should move in Japan! We protect you from those unfairness! *big hugs*
July 12, 2012 at 3:25 AM
Im so sad about Lennox, I think he is a victim of society. We had same problem with our formerly two Huskies. Guess how often we need the insurance? For 13/14 years: not one time.
July 12, 2012 at 3:53 AM
I was so hopeful for Lennox. It is hard to take in they actually murdered him! So sad, so needless, so cruel :’-{
July 12, 2012 at 3:54 AM
Unfortunately BSL is spreading to the US also and is as unjust as the horrible laws for colored people once. Unless it changes, the only solution is moving to another place with no such law. Lennox’s case may have helped by making more people aware. I hope he’s found his peace now… Victoria Stilwell’s words say it all: http://positively.com/2012/07/04/lennoxs-last-chance/
July 12, 2012 at 4:12 AM
RIP Lennox. May your death not be in vain.
July 12, 2012 at 4:15 AM
I couldn’t sleep in the middle of the night when I read they’d put Lennox down. As I cuddled my own ‘dangerous’ dog – Beary is the same breed as Rumpy – I wondered when people in power were going to start dealing with the people responsible for innocent animals, and not the animals. I dread to think how alone and scared he felt during his time in that cement cell. I hope he’s in doggie heaven now, getting loads of cookies and loves.
July 12, 2012 at 4:17 AM
Rest in Piece, Lennox. I wish the world would’ve been nicer to him.
July 12, 2012 at 4:31 AM
Rest in peace, poor Lennox. The official statement of his family is so sad, it made me cry. I believe in reincarnation and I seriously hope he comes back as a human, he deserves it for all he suffered. If he comes back as a dog, I hope it’ll be a collie or something everybody considers per se as being harmless and good. Or is Lassie considered a dangerous dog anywhere?
July 12, 2012 at 4:31 AM
I am going to start wearing a cat mask…
July 12, 2012 at 4:32 AM
That will look quite funny on you.
July 12, 2012 at 6:14 AM
hmmm…yes maybe I am a bit big to get away with being a cat. Perhaps a pony one instead?
July 12, 2012 at 10:44 AM
How about a deer? Additionally you could wear a sign with your new name “Bambi”.
July 12, 2012 at 10:48 AM
Good idea, I will try that next. Here’s me as a pony BOL:
http://themisadventuresofmisaki.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/pony/
July 12, 2012 at 4:37 AM
Don’t say that Rumpy, Yoooo’s not dangerous!! What they gonna pick on next? Border Collies like me, cos we are scatty and a bit tempremental till weee’s about two!!!!
Paw Hugs Mollie
mollie and alfie
July 12, 2012 at 9:03 AM
I was just thinking the same thing about my BC/Aussie mix Pierson. With work, he’s gotten better around people and other dogs, but that wasn’t the case a few months ago.
It’s sad, very sad, about Lennox. :`(
I can’t wait for the law to focus on the irresponsible owners rather than the dog… and also understand that in some cases dogs should be allowed to be dogs (like where the dog is simply guarding his own family or protecting himself from some unsavory person).
July 12, 2012 at 4:47 AM
Poor Lennox.
It’s awful awful news and it’s awful how breeds are tarnished by the same brush. Awful! 
Take care
x
July 12, 2012 at 4:51 AM
So sad. Poor Lennox. He looks a lot like Dottie, a pit bull that works with us at the VA. She’s the sweetest, gentlest dog friend I ever met. RIP, Lennox.
Love and licks and sad tears,
Cupcake
July 12, 2012 at 5:42 AM
Rumpy remember it is often the owner who is at fault for being capable of either controlling the dog and that usually because A They have not trained it properly or B they , the owner have mistreated the dog !
You have a loving mistress and as long as you stay close to her and do not stray all will be well !! We love you Rumpy stay with MOM!!
July 12, 2012 at 5:45 AM
sorry the first line should read :it is often the owner who is at fault for being incapable of either controlling or handling the dog. sorry my hands were typing faster than my brain.
July 12, 2012 at 5:44 AM
Nooooooooo. Not Rumpy! We need to end BSL.
July 12, 2012 at 6:11 AM
We need an end to the BSL (worldwide) get as many people as possible to sign the on line petition on Need2Care. It’s a stupid law. Many people are advocating ‘deed not breed’. It depends on how a dog is treated how he behaves, not the type of breed he is. Remember though, we tend to get what we focus on most of the time, so it’s very important to think positively and see a positive outcome in your mind and not entertain any negative thoughts as that’s the energy you create and attract to yourself. We all know you are a lovely dog Rumpy, don’t be sad and tell your humans to think positive! (((hugs))).
July 12, 2012 at 6:27 AM
Rumpy, I’m very worried about it as well. We, as dogs, can’t do anything about it. We have to hope that the people who love dogs will say that the law is wrong, before it gets any worse. But I think that lots of the people who do love dogs don’t know about it.
There are already places in Europe where you and I are what is called ‘restricted’ because we are above a certain weight. Some obese Labradors would qualify if the law is enforced to the letter.
There’s a list on Wikipedia – I know it isn’t complete – many countries are tightening their legislation. Some breeds could disappear altogether.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breed-specific_legislation
July 12, 2012 at 6:57 AM
Rumpy, we humans have to make sure we keep fighting to stop BS, and I know there are a LOT of out there who will. I’m a firm believer that it’s not the dog, but the owner – and how the dog’s treated – that causes any sort of behavioral problems in a dog. BTW, our “dangerous dog” sleeps with us every night, grooms, plays and sleeps with our cat, and would be the worst watchdog ever because he can’t stop licking everyone and wagging his tail. He’s a pit bull
July 12, 2012 at 7:18 AM
That is such an unfair law. Unfortunately, the dog is at the mercy of whatever human has him and how well that human treats and trains that dog. Wish there was some way of going after the human instead of the dog,,
July 12, 2012 at 7:18 AM
I’m really afraid it could be any one of our dogs. Ignorance breeds ignorance and then people go on witch hunts. We need to find a way to educate.
July 12, 2012 at 9:08 AM
In every class I teach for first home buyers I mention breed discrimination by insurance companies. Even if you don’t have a dog on their “dangerous” list, why support such bad policy?
Liberty Mutual and State Farm are two companies that do not discriminate. Others might want to read their homeowner’s policies closely. They might be surprised to find what they’re supporting.
July 12, 2012 at 9:21 AM
Poor Lennox, that’s so sad. To enact legislation against an entire breed because a bunch of evil, irresponsible owners have treated their dogs badly—the OWNERS are the ones who should be penalized, not the dogs.
July 12, 2012 at 9:57 AM
It was just so very tragic about Lennox. We have already had the experience of insurance companies rejecting us because of our breed. We had to get letters from neighbors, vets, trainers,etc attesting to our good ways before we found a reputable insurance company to give our humans homeowners insurance. So unfair.
Woos – Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning
July 12, 2012 at 10:08 AM
Very thoughtful post. Thanks!
July 12, 2012 at 10:09 AM
Sad to hear about Lennox. If Malamutes are anything like Siberian Huskies (a breed I am familiar with), I cannot understand why they’d be on the “dangerous dogs” list. One of the huskies lived next door us for 3 years and he was the gentlest dog imaginable.
July 12, 2012 at 11:00 AM
It is so sad that breeds are labeled dangerous. I have always believed it is the owners who are dangerous. Yes the pitbulls are different because their jaws lock where other dogs do not. But that is just an excuse to single them out as more dangerous. It is very sad about Lennox. How i felt about it he should not have been allowed to go back to his family as he was a different dog after 2 years..maybe not as gentle, he should have been allowed to go to a dog specialists place like Caesar Milan to live out his life. May he rest in peace. And Rumpy no one will ever take you away from your family I am sure of that!!
July 12, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Sad, At least he is at peace now….no longer in a cage 2 years away from his loving family. My heart breaks for them
July 12, 2012 at 11:21 AM
I am beyond words. Why do people react based purely on looks? If so many thousands of people, all protesting for his rights, could not stop it, where does that leave us? Were that people could behave more like dogs!
July 12, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Every single life on this planet is precious and when one is removed unnecessarily it is a cruelty and impacts the whole of us…always.
July 12, 2012 at 12:53 PM
I am speechless. I don’t know what to say. But I know for sure that Rumpy DOES NOT look like a dangerous dog
We all love him to bits.
July 12, 2012 at 1:19 PM
It was terrible…They Murdered a kind dog who NEVER EVEN bit anyone!!!
What is this world coming to.
July 12, 2012 at 2:56 PM
I’m so sorry for Lennox, just because of the short-sightedness of the gouvernement. Very unfair!
July 12, 2012 at 3:03 PM
I’d like to give the benefit of the doubt to pitbulls but every single story about dog bites here in San Diego involves pitbulls. The story always starts out the same way, “Dog never bit anyone, was the kindest dog in the world, I’ve had him for ten years, etc., etc., etc.”
I have never had a pitbull, but I have had a chow (Sugar; also on the list of dangerous dogs) and a malamute (Cinder). All my other dogs have been small dogs (beagle, dachshund, basenji).
I am actually of the opinion that a big dog can cause a lot more damage, even death, than a small dog. That’s pretty evident. So if people want to keep the large dogs, and the so-called dangerous dogs, they should ensure that children are always protected from them, no ifs ands or butts.
July 12, 2012 at 3:39 PM
I am reminded of a quote I heard some years ago, “The measure of a civilization is how it treats it’s weakest members.” It tears at my heart to hear we as a culture have performed at our worst in regards to Lennox.
At times like this it is difficult to be encouraged, but we must for all the Lennoxs still with us.
Be encouraged!
July 12, 2012 at 4:54 PM
RIP, indeed, Lennox! I want to hug your neck, Rumpy! Such a sweet guy you are! Slurp, slurp!
July 12, 2012 at 5:45 PM
So sorry to hear this Rumpy, I can see why it is such a worry being a Malamute! But laws are normally brought in overnight and hopefully if this one ever does get applied to Mal’s it will at least not happen in your lifetime my furry friend. As a wolf I can vouch for the grave dangers mankind poses to the K9/Lupine world. They think it’s sport to hunt us from planes and shoot us then display us as trophies. They hunt down and kill our pups in horrible ways in their dens and people wonder why I keep a low profile and don’t give out personal info etc!! Stay strong Rumpy and make sure Jen does too.
Ps…I know you’re in love with Clowie!!!
July 12, 2012 at 6:09 PM
We were so sad about sweet Lennox. Sweet Rumpy we hope someone comes to their senses soon and puts a stop to the craziness of killing dogs and classifying them as dangerous because of their breed. We know you are a sweetheart. Hugs and nose kisses
July 12, 2012 at 6:35 PM
Poor puppy.
July 12, 2012 at 8:06 PM
With such a beautiful fluffy tummy and kind face I hope that you never fall victim to BSL Rumpy!
Poor Lennox and his family, they had done the right thing by the law for the first 5 years of his life and still the council removed him and kept him impounded for 2 years before putting him to sleep. Even though they were doing the right thing, this family was treated unjustly and with little compassion or respect – scary when you think it could happen to any of our four-legged friends.
July 12, 2012 at 9:13 PM
I spent years rehabilitating abused dogs, majority of which were bully-breeds. It frustrates me to hear about BSL and bite stats, because so often they are misleading. A) Stats don’t give the full story. Often, injuries are a result of irresponsible owners. If a dog gets hit by a car because you didn’t obey leash law and bites his rescuer out of fear and pain, who’s fault is that? If your two year old child gets bitten by a food aggressive dog during the pup’s dinner time because you left your child unsupervised, who’s fault is that? Things like spaying/neutering, supervising your children around the dogs, socializing and training your animals all go a long way to creating a safer environment regardless of breed. It’s easier to blame the dog than educate the owners though.
And B) Can most people tell the difference between a pit-lab mix, a boxer-lab mix, dogo-lab mix, rottie-lab mix, etc? Not necessarily. People frequently inaccruately report bites based on body type, not genetic certainty. Most dogs in the United States are of mixed breed, undetermined heritage. The reason people assume the dog’s parentage is one of the so-called dangerous breeds has more to do with stigma than fact.
The fact of the matter is, if you have a large, athletic dog of any breed, there is risk. The greyhound I just lost to lymphoma was a 100lbs of cuddle bug with adults…but he was deathly afraid of children. My solution? I never took any chances. Greyhounds aren’t a “dangerous breed” but if a child he didn’t know cornered him, it would have been a dangerous situation.
Deed not breed. Advocate responsible pet ownership.
July 13, 2012 at 12:58 AM
July 13, 2012 at 8:41 AM
A very sad situation in deed.
You are right Rumpy, where will it stop, I have been saying that very thing for years! It could be almost any breed, when will people who are at fault for the behavior of some dogs begin to be punished instead of the innocent animals. I refer to the ones who intentionally breed bad temperament, use dogs for fighting and encourage aggressive behavior.
July 13, 2012 at 9:23 AM
I don’t know….. Maybe some day.
July 13, 2012 at 11:00 AM
We hope that never happens to Rumpy or any other animal again.
Bella and DiDi
July 13, 2012 at 5:54 PM
It feels wrong to ‘like’ I wish they had an ‘agree’ button – what an utter waste of a beautiful animal – bureaucratic stupidity at its worst
A sad day indeed
July 13, 2012 at 6:54 PM
Oh Rumpy it wont be you… there is a long way to go before that happens and the USA is well behind the draconian UK DDA which is what poor Lennox ran in to…. So many dogs have had destruction orders because they are deemed to be pit types (we don;t have the real American Pits as they were banned back in 1981 I think it was)
The problem in the UK is there are 1,000 of staffie crosses… some are pit types and well Rumpy its a very sad thing and I hate the DDA but its there and it not going away so why do people keep breeding them?!
You know I have this thing about indiscriminate and back street breeding.. I kind of mentioned it now and then….. Every sale I do I see a lot of pit types and well every dog attack that happens in the UK is sensationalised by the press….. but they do all seem to be Staffie or pit types and its making the DDA worse for more dog and well Rumpy I so wish they had gone about it a different way but as they went for the DDA it is now sort of on the cards that Staffies will be upgraded on the act and that would mean the same as the pit types… neutering and muzzerling in public but the forced neutering would lead to the eradication of the breed…..
Some thing has to be done about the breeding of the pit types as its effecting the other breeds so much!
Rumpy my Lab is on the list under the DDA and not that low down…. Its all wrong but it wont go anywhere, wont get more lenient and indeed after the last attack is likely to get even more bad knee jerk additions….
Sorry soap boxing but I do feel for Lennox’s owners but as a pit type he was really in trouble and the people that breed these dogs are the real problem!
Rescues are full of staffie crosses and no one wants them as well…. Its a real genuine problem and I think they should do something about back street breeding to be honest cus that’s where the trouble starts….
Oh and NI is one of the worst places re welfare and rescues struggling…. Its the breeders they should be gunning not the breed! Of that I am sure…..
Sorry Rumpy I shall get off my soap box now and please could you chew it up
A big cuddle to you and a hi to Jen as well as sorry I been awol.. not been at all well again. x
July 14, 2012 at 5:58 AM
First, they kept the dog in miserable conditions for 2 years. Then they refused to allow them to re-home Lennox somewhere in the US – and I heard that there were people willing to take him, but the Belfast city council apparently didn’t allow that. I think that is appalling! I mean it sure sounds like they were bent on killing that poor animal!
If they were to really send a strong signal to breeders and owners against breeding/keeping pit-bull type dogs, they should have evolved a mechanism to do so… usually financial pressures work to get the desired results…. but they absolutely did not need to kill an innocent animal to set an example. This is gross.
July 14, 2012 at 11:51 AM
Thought you might be interested to know, if you haven’t seen it elsewhere already, campaign underway to get as many people as possible to email BBC Channel 4 re Lennox. If enough people email them the BBC will launch an investigation that would carry some clout and possibly in the longer term bring about some positive changes for breeds such as Rumpy
July 16, 2012 at 7:39 AM
So very sad. We just do not understand people sometimes!