This article is from the K9 Magazine archives, subscribe to our newsletter & get our best dog news, tips and articles ---->Dog lovers around the world have reacted in horror to the recent news that the high profile case of pet dog “Bruce” may finally be over as a court orders he be destroyed in a few days time ending an exhaustive twenty one month battle to save him.
Bruce was a young Staffordshire Bull Terrier living happily with his family in Northern Ireland. On September 19th 2007 Bruce was seized by council officials as an alleged “pit bull type” and taken to secluded kennels whilst his owner was taken to court for owning a banned type of dog contrary to the Dangerous Dogs Act (Northern Ireland) Order 1991.
Whilst incarcerated in kennels his family were allowed to visit their dog in October 2007, Bruce had lost weight, muscle tone and had an open cut to his muzzle. Five months later Bruce was allowed a second visit from his family in March 2008, they were shocked with what they found: The wound on Bruce’s muzzle was larger, weeping and had become infected, he tail had been amputated due to damage and infection, he had open pressure sores, was underweight and looked totally broken and rejected, yet despite the clear pain he was in, is described by experts as being a friendly dog that poses no danger to the public.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRJYVszJ7tE&feature=fvsr
A trial was heard at Bangor Magistrates’ Court on 27th August 2008 and the court determined that Bruce was “of type” despite the evidence from two expert identification witnesses who said he was not. Judgement was given two weeks later on the 12th September and Bruce was ordered destroyed devastating his family and supporters.
A legal appeal was lodged and a brief hearing on the 12th November 2008 listed the case for mention on 12th January 2009.
A further hearing in March 2009 was scheduled to set a date for the full Appeal. But, as we understand it, at this hearing the Judge gave Bruce a reprieve, as she believed Bruce does not pose a danger to the public. It was unclear how this potentially groundbreaking ruling would proceed as the Judge did not contest that Bruce had been found to be a pit bull type but decided as he posed no danger to the public he could be returned to his owner under the conditions that apply to pit bull types in England: Bruce’s owner was trying to obtain third party liability insurance for him as a pit bull type in Northern Ireland. As it is illegal to have a “pit bull type” in Northern Ireland no insurance company was able to offer insurance cover.
A further court date was set for 29th June 2009 to decide how this ruling for Bruce could proceed and the Judge ordered destruction.
In a desperate attempt to save Bruce, owner Shannon Brown, supporters and neighbours have created petitions, online networking groups and videos resulting in worldwide support to “Bring Bruce Home”. Bruce remains on canine death row, removed from his family home, alone and unaware of the worldwide support he has to spare his life.
Despite being debated several times, Northern Ireland has not adopted the provisions within the1997 Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act allowing friendly pet dogs found to be unlawful by appearance, but posing no danger to the public, to be allowed to live. In England, Scotland and Wales, a dog found to be “pit bull type” by the courts can be ordered entered onto the Index of Exempted Dogs as an alternative to destruction. If the Amendment had been accepted in Northern Ireland, the court would have been able to exercise discretion as with the rest of the UK – Bruce is likely to have been home long before now, alive and well registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs.
If Bruce lived across the border in Southern Ireland where no breeds are nationally banned he would never have been seized and imprisoned at all. Bruce has been offered a place of safety with a dedicated rescue and sanctuary in Southern Ireland where he could legally live out the rest of his life; this offer has been conveyed in writing to the solicitor but has sadly not been accepted by the court.
Bruce hasn’t actually ever put a paw wrong; he is sentenced to death due to the way he looks and the fact that NI has a mandatory death penalty unlike the rest of the UK who gave the courts discretion when sentencing twelve years ago.
Bruce and his family have endured much mental and physical anguish and pain solely due to a draconian law. His owner is simply a young dog owner who has been struggling for nearly two years to save her dogs life.
All that needs to be done to let a friendly dog live is for Bruce to be allowed safe passage from Northern to Southern Ireland and Bruce needs your support again during his eleventh hour.
We are asking supporters to contact the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Shaun Woodward MP) and Ministers urging them to use compassion and discretion by granting Bruce a Pardon removing the penalty imposed – the mandatory death sentence with the provision that Bruce is moved to the rescue placement ready and waiting for him in Southern Ireland. For a nation who claims to be animal lovers this would be the expected outcome.
As the court has ordered that Bruce be destroyed someone will be expected to administer the fatal injection. Veterinary surgeons take a sworn oath and promise to safeguard the welfare of animals committed into their care. In line with this sworn promise we are calling on all veterinary professionals within the UK to take a stand and refuse to kill Bruce – a healthy, wanted animal who poses no danger to the public & has a rescue space waiting for him in Eire. Bruce’s legal owner does not give consent for Bruce to be destroyed.
Please help by contacting the relevant authorities (template letters available) – details below to add your support to “Saving Bruce”.
For Further Information – Please Contact:
DDA Watch
Email: mail@dangerousdogsact.co.uk
Tel: 0844 844 2900
Endangered Dogs Defence & Rescue
Highly Recommended: As summer approaches, your dog will thank you for – clicking this link…!
Related posts:
April 27, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Please let Bruce live and be reunited with his family, he has done nothing to warrant such treatment. It is not the breed, but the people who make dogs vicious. This reminds me of burning witches at the stake..what has Bruce done that he should be tortured like this? He has a right to enjoy the life God gave him. Please..do the right thing, release him from his confinement.Thank you for listening and I hope I made a difference.
Reply
April 30, 2010 at 6:48 pm
I’m not an owner of a breed of dog banned, but I was wondering if you guys could help me.
I kind of want to figure out what the stance of the parties of the Northern Irish Assembly of Stormont have on the Dangerous Dog Order (They have the order not the act over here).
I’ve never voted in a Northern Irish Election before now (I was too young the last time). I wish to use their stance on the Order among my list of criteria however when choosing which party to support. I’d obviously prefer to know who wants to either at least relax the laws if not outright remove it. (Prefer the latter, willing to consider the former with reluctance I suposse).
Thanks!
I’m kind of in the dark and haven’t been able to find much on what each political party stands for in regards to Breed specific legistlation as of yet. And it’s a bit frustrating really.
Reply
May 4, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Heather, I emailed the NI parties and asked them for their views but haven’t received a reply as yet.
You could try contacting them as a voter in NI, would be interesting to know the answer!
Reply
May 11, 2010 at 8:29 pm
anyone with compassion would let this poor dog go back to his family, his only crime is the way he looks, if he were a person there would be laws to protect him against predudice. He has allready served a prison sentence for commiting NO CRIME and suffered emotionally and physically. This ,is in fact torture and should never be allowed. If an ordinary person treated their dog the way BRUCE has been treated they would be banned from having a dog and given a hefty fine. It sickens me to see such a crime as this. For Gods sake get a concience and let this lovely boy go home to his desparing owner.
Reply
May 27, 2010 at 5:15 pm
this is what happens when folks allow their government free reign.
take back your country, socialism Does Not Work. wake up and start getting politicians who will give the rights back to the people. also for the people, stop being lazy and look at what is happening to you. and your pets.
Reply
May 29, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Bruce looks just like my staffie Molly. I give my support to the campaign for his swift and safe release and pray that his awful ordeal will soon be over and he can live for the rest of his life in comfort and safety with people who will love and care for him. My love and prayers go with him xxx
Reply
June 13, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Hi, to all those that are sending emails to Shaun woodward I have found what I believe to be his personal email address this isas follows Woodwardsh@parliament.uk I hope this help and I hope they actually show emotion and do the right thing by poor Bruce. I wonder how they would feel if the shoe was on the other foot. I wish his owners all the very best and I wish Bruce so much more, NO DOG DESERVES THIS especially one like Bruce, he has been through more than enough already surely they have enough of a concience to stop this cruelty. THIS IS ANIMAL CRUELTY NO MATTER HOW UP WRAP IT UP. If it was another pet the owner would be in court with a fine and ban for owning animals, where’s the justice now for him while he waits for someone to do the decent and humane thing? Bruce your in my prayers and so is your loving owner.
Reply
June 26, 2010 at 4:59 pm
I came across bruce’s plight on the internet and I am ABSOLUTLY APPALLED at the way this poor dog has been treated ………….THIS IS ANIMAL CRUELTY …… the goverment should be ashamed of what has happened to this poor dog will in their care – he was offered a place of safety with a dedicated rescue and sanctuary in Southern Ireland where he could legally live out the rest of his life; WHY was this offer not accepted – this stinks of bureaucracy – don’t the government have better things to do with their time and money – let him go home to his family or the rescue – I hope people join this campaign and help to make more people aware of the terrible injustice handed out to this poor dog by this so called government
Reply
July 1, 2010 at 4:06 pm
This issue has been of great interest to people across the world, thousands have been following the plight of Bruce a docile family pet and will continue to do so, all eyes are watching Northern Ireland and hoping that this terrible injustice against innocent dog Bruce as well as others just like him can be put right. I hope that this is resolved sooner than later for Bruce’s sake as this has went on far to long now – This has not gone away – this poor dogs spirit is broken and he and his family are the only ones that are suffering through all of this.
Mahatma Gandi Quote on Animals
” The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be juged by the way its animals are treated”
Reply
July 2, 2010 at 3:35 pm
There was a further court hearing on 1st July-yesterday
Reply
July 6, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Does anyone know what the out come of the hearing was?
Reply
August 5, 2010 at 1:24 pm
It’s great news that Bruce has finally been set free but a shame it’s not with his family. Perhaps if the government get round to making the right decision and get rid of BSL he could be reunited with his family after all this time.
Reply
August 28, 2010 at 9:29 pm
please go to google.co.uk and search for: save lennox. this is another dog on death row in Belfast . please read the story and help. Help that this dog can go back to his family. how many more are there logged up and waiting to be put down and we don’t know about them.
Claudia
Reply
Reply