Racial profiling. Where's Jesse Jackson to demand justice?

Extremely stupid troll comment..Rush wasn't there demanding justice either.

I don't think the comment is stupid at all. The prejudice against pitbulls is no different than saying one black man robbed me, therefore they must all be bad. Animals should no more be judged on their breeds than humans should be judged on race. If you could tell as much about a person/animal just by the way they look as so many ignorant people seem to think, life would be a lot easier, wouldn't it?

There is just so much wrong with this. "The City Council declared Lennox had a severe personality disorder...." What about their frickin' priests?

In the 70's Dobermans were the evil dog, in the 80's it was German Shepards, in the 90's Rottweilers... Do you see a pattern? No dog is evil, it is trained that way. Maybe they should kill dog handlers that train dogs to be evil and attack people, cops included. Quit forcing animals too do human work, why is there no sense of animal slavery in forcing them to help the blind or disabled?

"The Council’s expert described the dog as one of the most unpredictable and dangerous dogs he had come across"

Another govt "expert".

I'd worry about the two legged kind before the four legged. At least I know which way the four legged might go.

Lennox may have been black in color, but the BCC and everyone who had a hand in condemning him and carrying out this heartbreaking action are and forever will be black of heart and soul.

When there were so many options available, there is no justifiable explanation for why this had to happen. May the memory of what was done to Lennox today haunt all those culpable until their last breaths.

I have often read of comments being "collapsed by the community" and I wish we could do that with gw's sheer cruelty. The rest of us are upset enough as it is, without his callous comments making it any worse.

Animals should no more be judged on their breeds than humans should be judged on race.

Let us know how it goes when you play with a nice pet alligator.

Some animal breeds, dogs included, are wired differently from others. Equating them to humans doesn't change that fact of nature.

arguesforsport - So while the comment was directed towards same species, you decide to compare apples and oranges?

Let's rephrase this so your simple mind can understand, shall we?

Animals of THE SAME SPECIES should not be judged on their breed any more than humans should be judged on race. A oriental person is nothing but another breed of human, same as blacks, whites, hispanics, etc.

Based on what you said we would be judging sharks vs. humans. Though in reality, humans kill more than sharks.

So while the comment was directed towards same species, you decide to compare apples and oranges?

Let's rephrase this so your simple mind can understand, shall we?

You had to rephrase the statement to make it work for you.

Why are only certain breeds of dogs used for certain tasks? Why aren't there police pit bulls working? Or pit bull seeing eye dogs? They're the same as any other dog, right?

Tell me, if all "breeds" of humans are the same, why are different "breeds" more prone to certain diseases? Why (risking being called racist or worse, even though we all know it's absolutely true) are some "breeds" better at performing certain actions or tasks better than others? It's because their all the same, right?

for your information yes there ARE pit bulls working with the police and yes there ARE seeing eye dogs that are pitbulls.. so get your facts straight first..

and as for your comment about Kathys comment.. "Some animal breeds, dogs included, are wired differently from others. Equating them to humans doesn't change that fact of nature."

Actually she has a point because humans are "wired" different as well.. we are not all the same.. not everyone's neurons fire the same. so therefore shall we judge all disabled ppl because of how one acts? or as she said an entire race because of what one black man did! At Virginia Tech a crazy student killed how many ppl. we as humans have the capacity to do unimaginable things so because one @!$%#ed up human has a bad day I guess we should judge everyone we come into contact with then, not? unlike a dog who bites, we use other forms such as guns and knives.

Finally a community with common sense. Why can't us Americans accept the incredibly dangerous nature of these dogs and put them all down? Unfortunately, we always wait until after the animal has killed another child. Bravo Belfast!

WOW! Way to show your ignorant side there fella! And just what are "these dogs" anyway? Do you agree with the comment of the Belfast Judge that said “because he has teeth and might someday bite someone he should be destroyed”? Are "these dogs" you speak of those who have teeth? In that case it would be a very lonely world without any dogs. Or are you referring to Labradors and English Bulldogs? That is what Lennox was; Labrador/English Bulldog cross. Try knowing what you are talking about before you hurt yourself.

If I has a pit bull, it would look just like lennox.

Sounds like another case of ignorant decisions by a governmental body. Nice to know that Ireland is as messed up as our federal government is. Sad about Lennox. I would really like to know how the "expert" reached the decision about how dangerous Lennox was. Nothing in terms of a third party report etc. Just a dumbass conclusion. Anyone can do that. We see it all the time in the courts.

I bet I know why BCC wouldn't agree to the re-homing offer, the deplorable & abusive situation they had Lennox in killed him. There was no dog to be re-homed. We must stop this Breed Specific Legislation, as it is very wrong. Punish the deed, not the breed! Any dog can maim or kill, not just "Pit Bull" like dogs.

I'm afraid of small dogs. Been bit by some. Still dont think it would be right to kill all of them. That would not be humane of this human.

BSL is just ignorant. I've owned "aggressive breeds". Rottweilers as well as Pit Bulls. Never had one aggressive incident with any of them. I don't understand how people in this day and age can be so ignorant. We kill so many innocent animals due to overpopulation because humans are irresponsible and continue to breed their dogs instead of going to a shelter or pound to pick a new family member. Now we kill them because of their breed also. When are we going to hold the human responsible for their actions. There is always someone else to blame. Pits are loyal and want to please their human. If the human wants the dog to fight and be aggressive and trains the dog that way, that's how the dog will behave. If you love and train your pit to be a member of the family, then that's what they will be. There are many pits, rots, dobermans, that are used in police work, as guide dogs, and even taken to homes for the elderly & childrens wards at hospitals to help people! It just never ceases to amaze me how ignorant the human race can be. All they want is to be loved, their downfall is they depend on humans to take care of them and their are waaay to many stupid humans, maybe we should start putting them down! I'm for SHL, stupid human legislation!

You said it perfectly. I don't even have to lift my square head off Mom's lap to respond-lol

No, the dog never ever attacked or even lunged at someone.

By my understanding and what I recall, someone complained that the family had a dog resembling a pit bull, so the police/authorities came to check it out. They saw the dog and took it away in 2010. Since then, the world has literally been fighting for this family to get their dog back who never harmed anyone and was simply taken away (and eventually killed) because he looks like a pit bull.

I wonder if a DNA test was even done on the dog?

Poor Lennox; my heart goes out to his family.

This is horrible. I signed anything I could get my hands on in which to try and save this dog's life. Just freaking horrible. My heart goes out to the family and everyone trying to save this dog. FYI - I have had 5 American Bull Dogs in my lifetime. The sweetest breed....

The Belfast City Council has proven here today that Humans are NOT the smartest species in the world. It also shows that stupidity and ignorance is alive and well in Belfast. My feelings are that everyone ought to stay away from the city of Belfast because if they don't like how you look, something terrible will happen to you. R.I.P. Lennox!

The DNA test was done and proved the dog to be a lab/bull dog mix. SHAME SHAME SHAME on the Belfast City Council! DISGUSTING!

@GW10 - You should be just as ashamed of yourself as the BCC. And so should all of the other five people who thought the dog should be put down. IGNORANCE.

Yes, you are ignorant and a damn fool. If I were you, I would look and see at what outrage this has caused WORLDWIDE. Hundreds of thousands of people can see the truth. I'm just sorry for you that you cannot. I hope to God you do not have kids or pets.

Another place I'll never visit. Thanks all you ignorant arses in Belfast for saving me my vacation money. They'd probably decide my pugs are pit bulls and kill them too!

Klsanborn your probably forgetting the hundred of thousands of people that agree with the courts decision, only we put our trust in our laws and courts, not emotional responses by people who have never been in contact with the dog in question.

Lynseypug. I'm sure belfast will be very disappointed that you will not be visiting.

Yeah I won't go there, either. I have a boxer and she's not the friendliest with strangers, but she's always under control. If someone were to come onto my property and try to take my dog, who's done nothing, just because of her breed, they had better be wearing a flak jacket. ESPECIALLY if it wasn't illegal for me to own her breed in my locale. But I'll bet you can't even protect yourself or your family (e.g. your pet) from criminals like this in Ireland, can you? This is sick. People will make any excuse to kill something. I bet I could find a few people in Ireland that look like dangerous dogs. And I'm certain I couldn't walk more than 50 feet in Ireland before I found someone who's more of a risk than this dog ever was. This is the first I've heard of this, so I'm not a Lennox fanatic. Just someone who should be shocked (but can't be anymore) over the disgusting behaviour of "people".

Klsanborn your probably forgetting the hundred of thousands of people that agree with the courts decision, only we put our trust in our laws and courts, not emotional responses by people who have never been in contact with the dog in question.

We don't need any contact with the dog when we know there's no evidence that he was guilty of anything. I sure hope people never actually go through those courts. But it does not surprise me that hundreds of thousands of people are willing to destroy life when it doesn't fit their perfect image of what it should be.

So, gw10.... ALL dogs of a breed (even though this one WASN'T of the breed), are to be considered dangerous, even if they demonstrate that they are not. This dog never did anything dangerous. He was killed just because he LOOKED like a pitbull.

Do you know what that's called? STEREOTYPING! It's wrong! Do not judge this dog based on the actions of others. It is very immoral.

The dog did nothing to warrant this. He was never aggressive or violent. This is just wrong.

Gw10:

They didn't even prove that the dog was a Pit Bull. They did no tests other than measuring, which showed Lennox was SIMILAR to (but not 100%) a Pit Bull. There were no previous incidents with the dog, either.

Once they realized they were in the wrong, they tried everything they could (kill the dog without allowing other positive alternatives such as relocation) to try and prove their point (of which was 'we will murder your dogs, deny you the right to see your dog on their day of death, and then we will refuse to give you your dog's corpse to bury because we want to burn all the evidence that might prove us wrong').

gw10, he was NOT identified by his character. Lennox NEVER bit, lunged at, or made any attempts to harm anyone, even after two years of neglect and mistreatment at the hands of Belfast dog wardens. After being cleared by professional behaviorists, he was labeled as a "time bomb waiting to go off" by a dog warden who has no training in dog behavior and who has since resigned his post. DNA testing proved he was a lab/bulldog mix, not a pit bull. There were never any complaints about this dog. In fact, when the dog wardens confiscated him, the address on the warrant was for a completely different location. They piled mistake on top of mistake and couldn't find the courage to own up to it. Instead, they took the cowardly way out and killed an innocent dog.

I think we should all Contact the Lord Mayor's office and let him know what a God damn disgrace he is. I've taken the liberty of getting us started. I hope someone euthanizes the council this weekend.

For more information about the Lord Mayor, contact us at:

Lord Mayor's Office
Belfast City Hall
Belfast
BT1 5GS

Telephone: 028 9027 0486
Email: lordmayorsoffice@belfastcity.gov.uk

Gw10 I am glad to see that I am not the only one.

Do you all think that we should wait until he kills someone first? And then kill the dog? You'd probably still pitch a fit. You make a page for every deer a hunter shoots, but for a dangerous dog that needs to be killed to protect society, all this fuss! Sad.

If there are people that are a threat to the human gene pool, it is people like gw10. Demonstrated ignorance, inability to produce an original argument or independent thinking, willingness and naivety to believe anything that "authority" regurgitates.

Here is the sad thing: That poor dog was most likely killed long ago. The Belfast had and a has plenty to hide. The dog was allegedly in a 'secret location'. Why do you think that was? Are the authorities REALLY that afraid that holding facility would be stormed and the dog saved. If so, that should tell you something. If that isn't the case, the dog was already dead.

Why was overwhelming evidence ignored (DNA test, for example, that proved the dog wasn't a "pit bull type") Why was the warden compelled to commit purgery?

Why did local politicians weigh in against the decision of the Council - yet not override them?

Why wasn't the case overturned after it was clear that the original ruling was flawed.

I think for one reason, and one reason only. The city council killed this dog long ago.
I have not read the latest, but I'm guessing the family will be denied the decency of receiving the dogs remains. Hmmm... if so, wonder why...

Rachel and GW10,

Using your [extremely flawed] logic, maybe we should put ALL dogs to sleep, because they "could" attack and kill someone. While we are at it, let's kill all the cats, too because one could "possibly" die of cat scratch fever, or rabies. Let's not forget horses, either, how many people have died or been severely injured when falling from a horse? And horses can kill you with their hooves too. I am sure that we should not bother with zoos, but kill all tigers, bears, elephants, panthers, lions, etc., as they are all dangerous animals and can attack people if they get loose. Close the zoos, and outlaw ALL pets, period.

Why stop there? Parrots can carry fevers, squirrels and other rodents can carry rabies and deadly diseases, cows and bulls can easily kill you, roosters, swans and geese can be extremely dangerous and aggressive, too. Of course, we will not have meat, milk, eggs, or leather, but that is a small price to pay so no humans are ever harmed by animals.

Let's extrapolate your "logic" to humans, now, to further show you how ridiculous you both are, in case you missed the point. The best way to prevent murder is to catch and kill murderers BEFORE they commit crimes. So, anyone that "looks" like they could be a murderer, or acts "suspicious", or if people like you simply don't like them, let's incarcerate them and give them the death penalty, because we all "know" that it is simply a matter of time before the commit murders. Of course, certain people (like the you and the BCC) are so talented and have such supernatural powers, they can immediately "predict" which animals are dangerous, and which humans are predisposed to murder.

This poor animal was a therapy dog for a disabled kid, he never hurt anyone, and his only "crime" was to look like a pit bull. Since both of you are such animal haters, I bet you do not have pets, but if you did, you would understand the outrage all over the world. We pet owners consider them to be part of or families, and for a governmental body to take an animal away from his family because it "could" hurt someone (even though it had not) is unacceptable and outrageous. Adding insult to injury is that the BCC received many offers to rehome the dog in the US and Europe, but they really wanted to kill this dog to "make an example" and to retaliate because so many people had reacted negatively to them.

While I do not condone violence, even against the BCC idiots, the fact that they were the cause of worldwide scorn should have given them a clue, if they had any brains. They missed many opportunities to turn a public relations nightmare into the triumph of reason and goodwill. Lennox WAS NOT a pit bull!!! They could have backed of gracefully.

There are many people that are boycotting Ireland now, not just the two here. For the smart-aleck GW10, maybe Ireland does not care if "one of two" tourists refuse to visit, but I have seen posts from hundreds of people that have said they will not consider visiting a country that will kill animals for no reason, and holds them for 2 years under inhumane conditions. I and many like me are going further, and will not buy vacation homes in Ireland. Lord knows the Irish economy cannot lose too many tourists, or people that are willing to spend a lot of money in the country right now. However, they deserve to see their tourism tank. Ignorant idiots!!!

If we can't get justice one way do it another. Boycott Belfast and all products from that city. You can find a list of manufacturers if you google "manufactured good from belfast uk" it will give you listings of all goods manufactured or corp. headquarters located in the Belfast area. When the city looses capital from loss of tourist dollars and a drop in goods orders and begins to cry about it then remind them of Lennox and that this is all the fault for the BCC.

RocketDog-4243056 well said! and in all honesty what bothers me the most about this is that they were obviously set on killing Lennox, yet they still kept him for TWO YEARS in those conditions, unable to see his family or anyone that really loved him. If they were so set on murdering him, they should have just gotten it over with instead of putting him through all that stress and in those conditions for two goddamn years. They had something to prove and, you're right, they had EVERY opportunity to back out gracefully and let Lennox come to the US and live out the rest of his life happily in a home with a family who would love him just as much as the Barnes family...a family who could even send updates and pictures to the Barnes family! All would have been completely fine if they had agreed to that. Also, not to give Lennox back to the Barnes' and let THEM decide what to do with him after he was murdered is just cruel. This whole thing makes me sick.

Rachel Dodsworth - Funny you agree with the decision. I'll be you think it's wrong to kill a murderer, molester, rapist, or to kill in self defense/defense of friends and family. Don't you?

Why don't we just kill all animals and insects. Based on your logic they're all just ticking time bombs. Ahh, a world of only humans and germs, sounds great. Well, except for all the fanatics like you out there. Next thing we know you'll be killing all black people instead of "waiting until the kill or rape you before taking action". How about those Germans? Don't want to wait for another Hitler, right? Or those dirty Jews - no one likes to have their money taken by being over charged. Of course the Arabs, nothing more to be said about them. Oh right, and the Asians - they're trying to take over the world with their communist ways. Let's not forget the whites, we like to oppress.

See how dumb your comments begin to sound? I do.

to be honest I couldnt have said it any better myself.. other than the fact that we humans have the capacity to tell right from wrong, about consequences of actions. where as, a dog does not.. wee "humans" are the most complex being on the planet able to think and process more than any other living thing and yet we have murders, rapists, sex offenders, kiddnappers all done by people, "so called humanity".. I always here people say the numbers dont lie the numbers dont lie.. @!$%# your numbers.. look up the statistics on those things I mentioned and then tell me what you think.. I guess let the killings begin.. if your a responsible dog owner having a pit or a so called pitbull "type" shouldnt be a problem.. as activist preach, hate the deed and not the breed.. Like dogs are nooot all the same, I feel differently then other people feel.. they are my feelings.. so to hear people bash a dog who had not done anything annoys me to the core.. for I am a pitbull owner and I would die for my dog.. I have no children and he is my child.. its heartbreaking for this family and I feel their pain, even if he wasnt a pitbull, like they claimed he was. I have more love for dogs than I do for most of humanity.. for we make choices where as its animial "instinct".. end of rant.. thank you

the family did not accept that he was a pit bull type.

from the story

his owners, the Barnes family, said he was a well-handled American bulldog-Labrador cross.

Yes they have

Ms Barnes, 35, had accepted her pet was a pit-bull type, but claimed there
had been a failure to properly consider a possible exemption scheme.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18794360

They also said the dog

only has anxiety issues caused by two incidents in public and has formed a close
bond with her daughter

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15127533

Do you really want an Illegal dangerous dog running around that has anxiety issues. I think not.

@GW

The American Bulldog breed is NOT a Pit Bull. A "Pit Bull" is more accurately known as a Pit Bull TERRIER.

Bulldogs are NOT Terriers. Despite the similar names, they aren't even cousins twice-removed.

This was nothing more than an overzealous government agency abusing the law, just so they could prove a point, that they have the power to dictate every aspect of your life, and there is nothing you can do to stop them.

I'm getting the feeling our american cousins are only getting half of the story.

Had 5 people round a the house today. All agree the dog should be put down.

gw10,

WOW, you are just as ignorant and stupid as the Belfast City Council! It is not the breed that is dangerous!!! All of these dogs are born innocent puppies and it is the irresponsible pet owners that trained them to attack and kill. There was a case where to golden retrievers killed a child and it didn't even make the news. I can take any breed of dog and train it to kill if I wanted to.

What the hell is it with people, even Trevon Martin was deemed dangerous, by Zimmerman, because of how he looked, hint wearing a hoodie!!!!!!! I know many pitbulls and I would trust them over most people. Do dogs bite or can they bite, absolutely. But humans can bite too and they do. There is more of a risk that any of us here will be attacked by a human than by a dog.

I can't help but to classify you as the same kind of person that does train dogs to kill, stupid and ignorant!

Norskejente~ Well said!!

Its Northern Irelands law. The owner excepted it was a pit bull type dog, confirmed it had anxiety issues twice in public and it has been accessed as being a danger to the public.

I don't see any problems with the decision.

How is that ignorance?

gw10,

Well that makes 5 more people who are ignorant and stupid. It is not the dog but humans who fail to educate themselves about dog behavior. Obviously there are 6 in your home. BTW I had invited a man to come on out property to get trees, but my dog got in front of him, stood his ground and growled at the person. What kind of dog do you think he was???? Do you think he should be put to sleep because he growled at the person???? I bet you do cause it's just a dog right and dogs should never have an anxiety issues right????

Please specify these anxiety issues. Lot's of dogs are afraid and can cause them to have some anxiety issues but that in itself does NOT make them dangerous. God Lord, I have anxiety issues too out in public, especially standing in line and I often wonder if the people behind me in line isn't some kind of serial killer. But society has made me such. Pathetic isn't it! I do rescue work with cats, dogs and wildlife. What I have found is that kindness, respect and compassion always works with any animal. Humans well that is a whole different story. You need to educate yourself on dogs before making comments about something you obviously know nothing about.

The dog was identified as dangerous by its character and breed.

I understand why you are being emotional but the council has responsiblity for the safety of the public.

I fully support their decision.

gw10 - Let me make sure I understand you. You agree with taking a dog out of a loving home it had lived in for five years and letting it live out its last two years in a jail cell? When it has never shown aggressive behavior, and in fact, worked as a child's rehabilitation dog. Then to kill it. It's a damn good thing people are identified and categorized by how the look. Because this world and especially Belfast would be in a world of hurt. You sound more scary than that poor dog. RIP LENNOX.

This entire story is heart breaking and wrong in all aspects. I can not believe in 2012 people are still so ignorant, irresponsible and heartless. Lennox is tragically a victim of total ignorance and bias. He did NOT one thing wrong. He was a 110% innocent and yet he was the one to suffer, to be locked up away from those he loved, to live in a prison, full of fear and despair and then to lose his life at the hands of bias, ignorant so called humans. My heart breaks for him. Then he was not even allowed one gift at the end of his life. He was not allowed to see his people, to hear their voice that would bring him comfort, to have them hold him and fill his broken heart with love before he died. I cry just thinking what must have gone through his head through all of this. He had no understanding why he was being murdered, why they held him captive, why his beloved people were gone. But Human Beings, the superior species should know. But any of us with a heart know its because ignorance, evil, bias and stereotyping still exists. I read comments from the Council that they found Lennox to be "unpredictable" REALLY?? What would they expect, he was scared, he was confused, and he was in misery. What would any of them do if some barbarians came into their home, dragged them out, locked them in a cell, kept them from their loved ones, kept them from the life they knew, kept them in a dungeon full of fear and despair, filled their life with pain, fear, and confusion. HOW WOULD THEY ACT?? I think the MIGHTY human may become different as well. I can not believe that the Belfast Government is so ignorant, heartless, and irresponsible.

How do I sound scary?

I'm following Northern Irish law and the facts. You are having an emotional response, I fully understand why but

The owner excepted it was a pit bull type dog, confirmed it had anxiety issues twice in public and it has been accessed as being a danger to the public by character. The dog is illegal in Northern Ireland and it would be totally irresponsible for the dog to be shipped elsewhere.

Many people are happy to kill animals that don't agree with farming practises, feed an ever increasing obese population by butchering animals, carryout capital punishment, go to wars killing 10000s of innocent people to protect the most war mongering country on earth. But why people get so hysterical about a dog put down that was identified as a dangerous breed and had been accessed and labelled as a danger to the public I will never understand.

gw10 and Terry-3447: by your logic there should be no humans, because of our violent natures. How many people do dogs kill a year? How many people die at the hands of people every year?

gw10,

I despise people like you. There is no such thing as a dangerous breed. Bad dogs usually have bad owners, and Lennox was not a bad dog. This was undeserving. My dogs bark at people all of the time, and Lennox's owner admitted he was a pit bull due to her legal advice, because they thought he would live. It back fired, but DNA did not. The dog was not a pit bull, and even if it was, big deal. Pit bulls are some of the most human friendly breeds on the planet, contrary to what many believe, which has stemmed from myths, which is actually quite foolish on the behalf of people that do no do proper research. ALL canine professionals will tell you straight up, that there is no such thing at an inherently vicious breed, and that owners make them that way. Blame irresponsible owners, the other end of the leash, and maybe community will be safer. Until then, people will simply get a powerful replacement breed to commit crimes with, and what shall we do then, ban that breed, and another and another until there are no more companion dogs. Some people have no clue about dogs, and it is obvious that you are one of those people.

I am not sure why they couldn't be allowed to ship the dog off to the US. It sounds a little vindictive to me. A "You made us look bad so screw you and your dog." type thing. Sad really.

Clay hand

I despise people like you

because I follow the law, except the fact that people handling this dog deemed it to be dangerous by character.

I have no ill feeling towards you. I understand why you are angry, we have different opinions, but I do not despise you.

I'll agree with Terry. My dog is always kept inside. And if I have someone over working on the inside, she's restrained and kept away from them. That's just being responsible and cautious. They're animals, you don't know how they're going to react to certain people. It's not their fault, they don't have very complex brains. But that doesn't mean we don't love them. I'd choose my dog's life without pause over the life of any human who was trying to kill her because of the way she looks. I see a pure-bred American boxer as one of the most beautiful creatures on the planet, the weak and the pitiful see her as a danger and want her and other dogs like her put down. They're the ones who need to be put down, not my dog.

Terry,

OMG, when did I say I was a Pet collector and btw if you are so smart please tell me how many pets I do have. Second who said it was a contractor???? Where did I say someone was here to do a job????? We had lots of tree seedlings that needed a home and this person asked if he could have some and we agreed. Third, my dogs (Springer Spaniels) are here to protect me and my property, but I can only assume now you and gw are going to label all S.Spaniels as dangerous. BTW, this person was walking across my property with a shovel over his shoulders wbtw is a threatening position and my dog was smart enough to cue into the fact that it could be threatening to us and to him. He was doing his job!!!!!! I told the person to stop, gently take the shovel off his shoulders, which he did and before you know it the guy and Jake were playing with one another. If he hadn't I would have told him to get off my property.

Again you are a prime example of IGNORANCE and judging before knowing the facts. BTW how you come to all those conclusions from my comment is beyond me?????

Gone4now,

No I do not know how humans are going to react????? I trust no human. My dogs yes bacause I know them. Ask youself this question, why are most people killed? Because they trusted those they are with. How many family members are killed everyday in this country by people who are supposed to love them? Again I trust no one!

Society has a right to protect itself from aggressive and dangerous dog breeds. My daughter's friend just got a 9 week old Pit Bull and brought him over to show us. The Pit and my Beagle mixed mutt were having a good time wrestling around, but the Pit just kept biting her on the neck and holding on. It was very aggressive and exhibiting behaviors that I have always associated with fighting dogs. This was a 9 week old puppy and already it seemed dangerous to me. It was "nature", not "nurture".

Easy people, this is not the saddest headline in today's news. I dont think the dog should have been put down if his DNA proved no Pit Bull but I also don't think that international candle light memorial services are warrented either. I agree with Terry, I have an American Eskimo that weights in at a whopping 12lbs, but when a stranger comes over she barks and growls until we tell her the stranger is safe. Knowing that and beings a responisble dog owner I crate her anytime someone new comes over. @ Norskejente why would you risk your loving pet's life and a stranger's safety by allowing your dog to roam the yard knowing someone was coming over? By your own admission its not about the breed but about the bahavior of the dog and if you know your spaniel gets anxious why would you risk it? Pit Bulls unfortunatly have the stigma that they are dangerous because they play rough and have very powerful jaws. They also have the inborn urge to shake a 'prey' once they have it in their mouths. The same way a Collie or a Sheltie will run circles around its family in the yard even if they've never spent a day in their lives on a farm. These are traits that have been bred into these dogs for generations. Pit Bulls can be sweet loving dogs, and with hope they will be bred responsibly, nutured and loved and eventually the traits that make them dangeous will be erased and these laws wont be needed. But honestly to say such hateful things to another person just because they don't see the world as you do is VERY sad habit.

I'mJustSayin

It sounds like the puppy was an ALPHA, not inherently dangerous because of the breed. My neighbor's yellow lab did the same thing to our other neighbor's boston terrier. Is it because the yellow lab is inherently dangerous? No, it mean Earl needs to be taught that he is NOT the alpha.

The problem with labeling a dog "pit bull" is that most of them are different breeds, and usually typed by description, ONLY. They do not really represent specific breeds. Dogo Argentinos and Pressa Canarios are mastiffs, but because of their look, people label them "pit bull". Staffordshire Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers, are labeled "pit bulls". The only dog with the actual name "pit bull", is an American Pit Bull Terrier, and the standard is that females weigh under 45 lbs, and males 55 and under. If someone says that they have an 80 lbs "pit bull", it means they really just have mutts. Red nose, blue nose, no matter what anyone says, those are not real breeds, and are just a mix of breeds.

Interesting fact: Boston Terriers were bred from fighting stock.

Interesting how the pit bull supporters are the first to attack and call names! They made the correct decision, just wish more cities in the US would do the same.

Falconer33:

Interesting how people like you make fun of caring people, then go off to support mass genocide.

@GW You are a pitiful myrmidon and a clod.

@falconer33

Let me explain why pit bull supporters are the "first to attack and call names"....

Pit bull supporters and owners realize that the Pit bull is one of the most loyal, loving, intelligent and good natured breeds around. Owners consider them as one of their children, a full fledged member of the family. They're also very aware of how maligned they are by those who know absolutely nothing about the breed other than an opinion formed after reading a newspaper article about yet another pit bull attack....which in the majority of cases like Lennox, was misidentified. I don't know about you, but I tend to protect my family and if you come after us, best to be armed with some pain killers.

Hope this clears that up for you.

I agree. How does a dog become a public danger by "type"? Because the has a big head, he is a public menace? Because he has 4 paws? Instead of blindly following the "law", consider that the "law" is not drafted properly, if it says that all pit bull "TYPES" should be outlawed. I have no problems if a vicious dog attacks people it should be euthanized, but no dog should be killed because SOMEBODY thinks it fits a "TYPE" that is outlawed.

For the record, I was bitten on the leg by a German Shepherd when I was a kid, but it was my fault. I got too close to her pups, and tried to touch one, and she attacked to defend her pups. Should she be killed, as an aggressive dog? She was anxious for her pups, and demonstrated that trait in public. Should she be killed? Absolutely NOT! I am the human, and should have more brains than to try to pick up a puppy with its mother next to him. I still have a 4 inch scar on my leg, after many years. And I do love dogs.

To I'm just sayin': please give your dog away to a good home. You are not fit to have pets, as you obviously do not understand animal behavior, and have not even tried. To label a 9 week old pup as a "killer" because it engaged in play biting behavior and "holding on" that is natural to ALL puppies in is stupid and irresponsible. FYI, dogs chase each other, and play growl, too. That does not mean they are dangerous.

I do not believe any Dog should be killed because of his accident of birth. There are dogs of all breeds that have bitten people, but usually because they have been mistreated by humans. Poor Lennox never even bite anyone. If he was so dangerous I hate to think of how those dog wardens handled him for two years. The people who housed Lennox should be brought up for animal abuse. His concrete cell looked like a cell in a dungeon or one used to hold the IRA. This dog was tormented for two years and I wonder if this was a personal act against the family for some reason. Or by people with sick minds who find pleasure and enjoyment in hurting animals and or people.

Also there is no breed that is called Pit Bull. The term Pit comes from people forcing Dogs to fight in a Pit. People like Michael Vick who should still be in jail instead of enjoying the good life.

Obviously GW is a moron and has never heard of an "UNJUST" law. Just because there is a 'law' does not mean it's ETHICAL, MORAL or JUST and those who uphold, follow and do not protest UNJUST laws are guilty of ignorance. We are OBLIGATED NOT to obey laws which are 'unjust'. NAZI GERMANY.... there is a PERFECT example of people following UNJUST laws. Are you a NAZI GW ?

"Decent people should not obey immoral laws. What’s moral and immoral can be a contentious issue, but there are some broad guides for deciding what laws and government actions are immoral."

Whenever an individual obeys an unjust law aimed at harming others, he becomes an agent in the injustice and perpetrates the very harm the government intends to inflict.
Hence, obeying unjust laws is acceptable when it only implies carrying a personal burden, but not when it actively aids and effectuates the injustice.

Lauren,

In the 14 yrs we had Jake that was the only time he ever growled at anyone. He was the sweetest dog ever and would rather protect someone from danger than to harm anything or anyone. That persons safety was never in danger. My dog on the other hand was doing his job and that was protecting all of us. A crated dog can not protect his owner inside a crate. BTW this was his property not the strangers and I will be damned if I have to put my friendly dog in a crate because he was doing his job. Shall I lock up my gun and take it out only after I have been beaten to a pulp or do I keep it handy in case I need it? BTW no kids here, so no need to worry about that issue. All our dogs are well socialized and friendly. Unfortunately not all dogs especially pits have had loving owners, hence the bad rape they get from the public. BTW, I would trust a pit in a dark alley way before I would trust a human. I can read a dogs thoughts by his physical behavior, but a human is a whole nother ballgame.

Yeah, sure. I have my friend BABY as evidence the freaks need to be put down and made illegal. Ripped the scalp of the baby, in her stroller, on the sidewalk after the monster jumped its fence an attacked unprovoked. Keep your BS excuses for the monsters.

Plus, numbers don't lie:

http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-study-dog-attacks-and-maimings-merritt-clifton.php

I am very sorry to hear that something like that happened. I pray the baby will be alright but I would just like to point out some facts.. while you might be emotionally involved so am I.. I am a pitbull owner..It bothers me when people always refer to the numbers or statistics because there are other statistics out there about humans.. we humans have the capacity to tell right from wrong, about consequences of actions. where as, a dog does not.. wee "humans" are the most complex being on the planet able to think and process more than any other living thing and yet we have murders, rapists, sex offenders, kiddnappers all done by people, "so called humanity".. I always hear people say the numbers dont lie the numbers dont lie.. look up the statistics on those things I mentioned and then tell me what you think.. I guess let the killings begin.. if your a responsible dog owner having a pit or a so called pitbull "type" shouldnt be a problem.. as activist preach, hate the deed and not the breed.. Like dogs are nooot all the same, I feel differently then other people feel.. they are my feelings.. so to hear people bash a dog who had not done anything annoys me to the core.. I would die for my dog.. I have no children and he is my child.. its heartbreaking for this family and I feel their pain, even if he wasnt a pitbull, like they claimed he was. I have more love for dogs than I do for most of humanity.. for we make choices .. end of rant.. thank you

No Don, never...no one even said that he did. This is horrible. The only hurt he has caused is the tears he is causing among people like me.

I felt all too sure that the was coming, though, because every time I thought of Lennox, I saw him running out a door into the sunlight. I just hope it was eternal sunlight and that he is seeing it now.

You know, I normally don't go this route, but I hope the council keeps getting enough hate mail to feel uncomfortable for a very long time. They are not human by any stretch of the imagination.

Sheila, ME TOO. ME TOO! I will start the hate mail.

It is sad, with all the other options available for this dog, it all comes down to a thrill kill by the council.

Could you be anymore overly dramatic? Thrill kill? Really? I'm sure all the council members showed up to watch and got all excited about the execution...

Even when animal rights nuts are right they're oh so wrong... Get a grip people! I agree the dog should not have been killed, but sending them threatening letters and making delusional comments about a "thrill kill" just absolutely ruins your credibility.

Heart breaking to say the least. I am furious that people extended solutions to the Belfast Council, such as Ceasar Milan and were turned away. They would not allow the dog to be sent to another country at no cost to them? HUH?? These people are pure evil idiots.

Not really, I bet you knew at least one kid growing up who enjoyed shooting birds out of trees just for the fun of it. Same thrill kill principle, so why don't you get a grip? They killed simply because they could.

MWP - who cares what you think. It is my time and my agenda.

Yeah I think MWP got a little excited over your term there. I didn't misinterpret it and I completely agree. There were options to remove the problem from the land, let God's creature live but no - they HAD to kill it. Because they could.

Mjolnir-889746 Obviously your ignorance about Pit Bulls shows...you probably never owned one so I think you need to keep you negativity to yourself. It's all in how they are raised and by the way, the whole point of this story is that HE WAS NOT A PIT BULL!!!! I own a boxer/Pit Bull mix, most loving and loyal dog ever. Any dog can be dangerous, my dog has been attacked/provoked by a pug, a lab and many other dogs that are not labeled Pit Bull but that doesn't make them any less dangerous. Any dog can become startled and aggressive and don't give no lecture about Pit Bulls, I've heard all the crap stupid people want to believe, so spare me. Thanks. Educate yourself, there are many, many loving Pit Bulls and responsible owners.

You do realize that EVERY dog has the ability to kill, right? Should we just kill them all?

Pitbulls are not even the #1 dog most likely to bite -- the Dachshund is the number one breed most likely to bite, second was the Chihuahua, followed by the Jack Russell Terrier. The issue is that these dogs are small and do not cause much harm so they go unreported and don't get the bad rap that other dogs do.

Many dogs have incredible physical strength - Rodehesians, Mastiffs, German Shepherds, Rotts, Dobermans etc -- should we execute all the strong dogs and just keep the small cute fluffy ones?

Mjolnir-889746

100% agree.

Christina~any dog that has bit me or tried to bite me was a small dog! All dogs should be evaluated on their own behavior, not by the breed. We once had a loving Malamute that was a gentle giant but some insurance companies will not insure you if you own one...just crazy. The BCC are just ignorant and arrogant people and I'm sure they will never hear the end of their actions. All the Pit Bull naysayers come out of the woodwork when they probably never heard this story to begin with.

Mjolnir-889746 You're an idiot!

Mjolnir~Seems to me that you are the one with the disabled character here...you have not owned a bully breed so this makes you oh so knowledgeable about the type of breed? I think not. The fact that you have NOT owned a dog of this type makes you incapable of knowing the love, loyalty and trust this type of dog has to give to it's owners not to mention their intelligence. You spew the crap that I am tired of hearing but that doesn't stop you from sounding uninformed and spouting your brand of hate and ignorance to anyone who will listen.

Of course you think I'm the one with a disabled character, we don't agree. You characterize as "hate" or "ignorance" those elements with which you disagree, proving your incapacity for rational debate.

Any individual dog can be a wonderful pet, regardless of breed. When you consider a breed or specific type however, you must take into account the all the combined behavioral and character elements of the breed as a whole, the individual is not and cannot be considered.

You've also resorted to raising your voice through the use of bold type. This is a common tool utilized by those with weak or emotionally-driven arguments not supported by fact or general consensus. Making it louder doesn't make it truthful, dearest.

All dogs are loyal to their pack. It is their instinct, it is what they know. Anyone outside of a pack is ALWAYS at risk of being attacked by the dog, regardless of breed (especially if the dog is improperly trained or has been "babied" and sees itself as the alpha as a result). If this dog truly had a "severe personality disorder" then yes, it would be best to put the dog down. Dog's aren't humans, they're pets and/or work animals. As such, it is up to us to make sure they pose no threat to humans. If this dog did indeed have a disorder that wasn't treatable, then in the interest of public safety, they did the right thing. Please note: I say if, because either the reporter didn't do enough digging to get what the disorder's name was (or it is possible it went undiagnosed, but that seems highly unlikely), or the council was using that as an excuse to put down the dog without giving thought to the possible exemptions mentioned within the quote. Either that, or someone on that council really just did not like that family and was carrying out a vendetta.

That said, if the dog didn't have any personality disorder, and has never attacked anyone, then killing it just because of its breed is just wrong. Breed specific legislation is wrong. Mandatory training of owners upon purchase/adoption of bigger (more dangerous) breeds, and required certifications for ownership should be the way to go, not outright banning a breed.

Mjolnir - The use of bold type does not indicate the usage of a raised voice. It is used for the purpose of emphasis. Typing in all caps indicates a raised voice and/or shouting depending on the usage of ending punctuation.

Mjolnir is however, correct. The bigger the breed the more dangerous the dog is in its likelihood of killing and or maiming a human. To compare a pug, or a yorkie, or a dachshund (sp?) to a pit or rottie or a german shepherd in regards to killing ability is, quite literally, an apples and oranges comparison. Yes all breeds can bite, all breeds can even break skin with their teeth. However, a pug or a yorkie doesn't have the size or jaw strength to crush bone. The larger breeds can do so with ease.

Let me reiterate my position: I DO NOT believe in the banning of any breed. I fully support the legislation of and the regulation of the larger breeds THROUGH mandated training and certification. The more powerful the breed, the more the need for the dog to be trained properly by an owner who has the will and the dedication to handle a powerful dog.

Mjolnir-889746,

You are very, very misinformed. Pit bulls were actually bred to be extremely human friendly. Shows how much you do not know. The kennel clubs and any canine expert will confirm that this is true. They are friendlier than Golden Retrievers. You have no clue, and it sounds like you have been educated by hearsay. I can only imagine how much you have learned wrong in life, and how much it held you back from success. Some people just think they know everything, and what they think they know, contradicts the opinions and science of all experts. I suggest you really educate yourselves on those breeds by speaking with canine experts. until then, keep your ill-informed opinions to yourself, because you don't know jack!

Mjolnir:

Judge the deed not the breed. Pit Bulls are friendly by nature. Always have been. The only time Pit Bulls are aggressive is if they have not been properly socialized (just like any other dog), have been TRAINED to be aggressive, or suffer from a personality disorder (which would mean the dog would be aggressive to anyone and anything. Hence, why it is called a disorder.)

The only time aggressive personality disorders appear is because of irresponsible breeding. All dogs are susceptible to aggressive personality disorders. Responsible breeders know better than to breed or sell such dogs.

The traits you describe are NOT solely Pit Bull characteristics. Many breeds show such characteristics: German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Presa Canarios, Mastiffs, Irish Wolfhounds, Chihuahuas, Terriers, Poodles, etc. ALL dogs are capable of showing such traits. To pin it on one breed is extremely ignorant and blatantly stupid.

Hey Mjolnir-889746 my dog is a Neapolitan Mastiff, also very strong, think they should kill all of them too? Just in case because you never know right? heck what about killing every dog that is big enough to hurt someone?

I strongly suggest visiting Cesar Millan's website http://www.cesarsway.com/ (p.s. I am not associated with him in any way, I just think he could tell you a few things about pitbulls and how to help a dog that has anxiety issues). My sister in law has 2 pitbulls, sweetest dogs, they play with the kids too, and never have been aggressive, ever.

Check out this story too http://www.globalanimal.org/2012/05/10/brave-pit-bull-saves-woman-from-train-video/73865/ , if you are worried about clicking on links just do a search for "pitbull saves woman".

And Bboy Phoenix, we are "regulated" enough as it is, people just need to keep their dog on a leash if outside their property (if not fenced) or house. And there is already laws against dog fighting, and laws regulating how many dogs you can have (and there is still some people who ignore these laws, hopefully when caught they will pay the fine and/or do the time). My dog is big but he won't hurt anyone unless they get in my house and attack me.

Perhaps Clay Hund... but the facts are available to all who seek them and do not back up your claims. Maybe the information you chose to accept was compiled by those with specific agendas.

Your "facts" are purely subjective,anecdotal or opinion-based. They withstand no independent scrutiny or critical analysis.

A 9 year review of fatal dog attacks in the United States found that of 101 recorded fatalities, 42 were committed by pit-bull types. 94% of unprovoked attacks on children were attributed to pit bulls, versus 43% for other breeds.

Of dog attacks recorded by Level 1 Trauma Centers (the best equipped to handle serious injury) 35% was attributed to pit bulls, all other breeds accounting for the remainder.

In 44% of those attacks the dog belonged to the victims family.

If you're actually willing to look for a truth removed from passionate hand-wringers, you can find it.

Wow Anna, and I thought that christina's straw-man was impressive, your's could star in The Wizard of Oz. You see, you set up a "straw man" in an argument that makes a outlandish proposal, i.e. "kill all big dogs". This argument is indefensible, but it is one that you feel you can more easily defeat, cleverly skirting the real issue.

This is a tactic used by those without the ammunition to debate successfully.

We both know that no one has made that claim, and now we know why you prefer to fight the false claim rather than logically debate the actual point.'

You know, some of those scarecrows turn out to be talented dancers, you should take him to a club.

Mjolnir-889746

It seems you have watched The Wizard of Oz too many times ... It also seems you have totally ignored my suggestions to visit Cesar Millan's website and to read the article about the pitbull who pulled a woman from a train track, and would rather resort to insults and continue spreading your BS about pitbulls.

And you did in fact "make that claim", in so many words, as your statements about pitbulls also apply to most "big dogs", mine included. Most have been bred to guard, hunt, kill other animals, dog fighting, and have even been used in the military on the battle field, most have "incredible strength" and "ability to kill".

In 99% of the dog attack cases the owners are to blame, not the dogs. Either they raised their dog to be aggressive, or they get a breed that is not "fit" for them and/or their living condition (for example a dog who needs lots of exercise in an apartment), or they are just plain stupid and don't have the common sense to put their dog on a leash when in public areas. Some of the fatal attacks were from 6 or 7 dogs all tied to a tree, the owners were looking for trouble, as most dogs become even more territorial when chained, not to mention they ignored the laws in their area as it allows people to have only 2 or 3 dogs.

Please do yourself, and pitbulls, a favor and do visit Cesar Millan's website.

Christina.... I have a lab/pit mix ( who is the most SUBMISSIVE, gentle dog EVER ), a Jack Russell AND a Chihuahua. The JRT is more aggressive than the Lab/Pit and is still the sweetest dog on the planet and the Chi... well I had to dub her LOVE BUG. There is NO SUCH THING as a dog who is 'born aggressive'. ANY dog ... even a YORKIE for chrissake... can be TRAINED to be vicious. Viciousness is NOT an 'inherent' trait and MORONS who think it is are brainless rubes who know absolutely JACK @!$%# about canine behavior. A dog's behavior has EVERYTHING to do w/the HUMAN on the other end of the leash.

GW10 do you find nothing sketchy at all about the photographs or the video that has been published showing that the warden, who was supposedly terrified of Lennox and wouldn't go near him, scratching him and petting him with a smile on her face. If those images are genuine then she lied to the courts. What about the fact that there are photographs showing that the physical condition of Lennox deteriorated significantly while under the "care" of the City of Belfast? Their so-called expert was not an expert in dog behavior at all. There is absolutely nothing "humane" about this situation at all.

How about the heartlessness of the BCC to deny the family a chance to say goodbye? Or their refusal to allow them to collect the body of their beloved pet so they could have closure, or to even have his collar? There was no reason whatsoever for the BCC to have absolutely no compassion in this situation. If anything a better attitude on their part, a little mercy and less heartlessness would have calmed the firestorm they have raging around them right now, at least a little bit. The fact that employees at the offices of the BCC were mocking people openly didn't really help either, their behavior was childish.

I personally do not think that Lennox was the vicious dog that deserved to be put down. All reports that I have seen have shown that the family that owned Lennox was responsible and took good care of their dog for five years before the warden knocked on the door. Supposedly the warrant presented when they came to seize Lennox wasn't even for that address. The behavior and attitude of the BCC and other employees involved has been too shady to put any sort of trust in their word.

Sadly it's over and done with. I think that the actions of the BBC and the employees that were involved in this situation need to be investigated to ensure that they were acting ethically. Then those unethical actions need to be punished and not ignored. They had other choices, despite claims to the contrary and they basically gave the finger to everyone that was fighting to save Lennox.

Now we need to focus on different legislation, not just for Belfast but for any place that has breed specific legislation. I have a boxer/lab mix and I get asked almost on a daily basis if he is a pit bull. He is not but he looks that way and he is the biggest baby. He spends his days with my son playing and at night he curls up and sleeps by my feet. When he is afraid of something he jumps next to me and puts his head on my chest and demands to be hugged...he is no where near vicious. He's just a loving family dog that always has a wagging tail and just wants to be with his humans. Does he deserve to die because he looks like a "pit bull"?

If a dog is truly vicious and uncontrollable then yes, it would be in the public's best interest to put the dog to sleep. Every dog has teeth and every dog can bite. A few instances of anxiety is not 100% irrefutable proof that a dog is vicious. Dogs sometimes have anxiety issues just like people do and it is not their fault and it is treatable. If the dog owners are responsible then they have the ability to handle their dog, to get the dog any necessary treatment and to ensure the safety of anyone that comes into contact with the dog. The legislation needs to be changed, not to single out any specific breed or to single out a dog just because the size and shape of his head looks like a "pit bull". Should a human be penalized because the size of their skull is the same shape and size as Charles Manson? It is absurd. Any legislation needs to single out irresponsible dog owners and punish them instead of an animal that has no say whatsoever in the matter.

What an absolutely tasteless, tone-deaf comment. Next time keep it to yourself. Signed, a lifelong cat owner.

I agree also as a cat owner. I feel for the people who lost a beloved pet and furry friend.

He's entitled to his opinion. Makes me laugh. I always have a big dog and a cat. I like what both have to offer. They're always best friends. Cats do seem to use their brains more. But they're really mysterious, and while a dog almost always strives to be there for a loving master, cats just do whatever they feel like. It's funny, check this out: I had a 110-lb chocolate lab and brought a tiger tabby into my home. The cat took over. The dog died (he was 20 years old) and we got our boxer. I don't know WTF happened in her bloodline but female boxers should max out around 23"/80lbs, ours is 100lbs and about 30" height. She went through hell with the cat who, remember, took over as property owner with the last dog. The cat died of cancer a few years ago. The dog takes over. We get an orange tabby and the dog falls in love, doesn't really establish her dominance so guess what - the cat rules again!

I always liked dogs and cats, and I have one of each presently. My dog protects me, my cat gives me massages lol. Seriously I love them both, and both are great in their own way.

Cats = Superior pets

Cats = The other white meat

I think the phrase "bloody-minded" would apply. They wanted that dog dead even with an offer to remove the animal at no further expense to the Council. They just had to "win".

poor beastie....

With the animal being classified as dangerous, how irresponsible would it have been to shift the dog elsewhere?

gw-the dog was deemed dangerous by ONE person who worked for the council. Do the research.

Many people in the US own pit bulls willingly. Since there was no expense to Ireland the dog should have been re-homed here. Pit bill owners are well aware of the breed's characteristics and know how to handle the dogs. Your comment is somewhat ignorant since the dog was never accused or convicted of any bad behavior. The council even admitted their "expert" wasn't one. We all know the truth. It is obvious this was simply an exercise of authority on the part of the council members. They wouldn't even let the family say goodbye to the dog. Pretty pathetic and I hope they can't sleep at night now that they've demonstrated their cruelty to the world. Humans are such hypocrites in almost every way. This is just another example.

I don't understand why they wouldn't allow them to move the dog to the US or elsewhere.

The Irish City Council hadn't yet gotten over the effects of the morning breakfast meeting at the pub.

Newt Gingrich better stay out.

Mastiffs, Great Danes, St. Bernards, Rotts, Irish Wolf Hound, and Boerbol are actually considered to be the strongest dog breeds. I imagine they too can easily take down a hog, should we ban them too?
I mean, imagine what they can do to a human!!

LOL Christina...probably knock a person over, slobbery kisses and all...oh my!

The Problem is not with the breed but with the animals owner(s). You can raise a dog to be mean or to be lovable. I have had many friends with these dogs(proper name for them is "American Staffordshire Bull Terrier") and they are some of the sweetest dogs on this planet, very loyal and loving. So before laws are passed to ban these breeds or any other supposed "mean" dogs maybe there should be laws passed banning certain breeds of humans who make these dogs "mean"

Wait a minute - do you by any chance hunt, Down_South?

I wish the United States would pass a law against this breed of dogs except maybe as hunting dogs

That is an incredibly ignorant statement. It's like saying, "I have seen my father shoot a deer and kill it; Imagine what he could do to ME??" Ridiculous.

Newt Gingrich would be history. Rush Limbaugh, while not a politician, would be put down anyway.

There seems to be a lot of ignorant people commenting on here that have never owned a Pit Bull or a bully breed but seem to think they have it all summed up from facts off the internet or out of a book. You have to educate yourself about these breeds...try to understand they are not bad because they are born that way, it's how they are raised!!

It is unfortunate and sad. I have tried for years to show reason to these rigid, stereotyping people but their stubborn ignorance won't allow it. All I can do is love my two pitbull girls and be thankful that they aren't able to be aware of how many people hate them for no reason.

Pit Bulls must have gotten out of control and running in wild packs to warrant this type of law.

No. More likely the pit bulls took to biting vomit covered drunks and scared hell out of the City Council.