Kennel Club Hits Out at Treatment of Death Row Dog, Bruce
The Kennel Club has issued a statement in support of Bruce, the dog who has been condemned to die because of how he looks. The Kennel Club state:
The DDA (1991) was amended by the Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act 1997. The 1997 Act removed the mandatory destruction order provisions of the 1991 Act by giving the courts discretion on sentencing, and re-opened
the Index of Exempted Dogs for those prohibited dogs which the courts consider would not pose a risk to the public. The Amendment applies to owners in England, Wales and Scotland and in many cases has literally proved to be a lifeline to many dogs and their owners.
Unfortunately this Amendment is not extended to Northern Ireland.
We do not understand why a pit bull type dog (based purely on its looks) in one part of the UK is regarded as more of a danger than the same dog would pose in another part.
Ultimately the Kennel Club wants new legislation but as the government in Westminster seems unwilling to review the current DDA, we will push for the 1997 Amendment to apply in Northern Ireland- we encourage all
dog owners in Northern Ireland to do the same.
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Well done to the Kennel Club for speaking up in defence of Bruce, a family friendly Staffordshire Bull Terrier at risk of destruction because of a law that is clearly flawed. In voicing their opinion for Bruce, the Kennel Club indicates that they do not hold prejudice opinions towards marginalised breeds and they show compassion for those dogs living in a locality not protected by the amendment.
I hope Northern Ireland will review their BSL and DDA legislation as a matter of urgency because it is obvious that until an amendment to the existing DDA is provided there will be many more cases like Bruce and dogs that have never displayed any aggressive tendencies and who do not pose a risk to the public, will continue to be seized, incarcerated and destroyed. Such court cases are a waste of public money and cause unnecessary anguish to responsible dog owners and their families. BSL is failing globally and it would be a victory for animal welfare advocates, the general public in the United Kingdom and animal lovers world wide, if Northern Ireland were to consider the wider implications of promoting compassionate legislation for family dogs and make a genuine and concerted effort to protect endangered breeds poste haste.
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