Vigil For Deathrow Dog Gains Worldwide Attention
Published on July 23, 2009 by K9 Magazine News Editor · 12 CommentsLondon Takes Part in Worldwide Candle Lit Vigil for Death Row Dog:
Dog lovers are travelling from across the UK to gather outside the Northern Ireland Office, Millbank, in central London to show unified global support for a pet dog condemned to death by a Magistrates Court in Northern Ireland.
The Candle Lit Vigil is being held for one hour between 9 and 10pm on Thursday 23rd July and coincides with other vigil events being held on the same day in Dublin, New York and Seattle alongside an enormous worldwide candle lit vigil where thousands of people are due to take part in their own homes and work places in recognition of the plight and suffering of a dog named ‘Bruce’ who has captured the hearts and minds of people across the world.
Bruce was a young pet dog living happily with his family in Northern Ireland when on September 19th 2007 he was seized 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.
Owner Shannon Brown, aged 20years, supporters and neighbours have created petitions, and videos asking for help to save pet dog Bruce who has never put a paw wrong and his case has now been championed by masses of people everywhere who have reacted in horror to the news he has to die and are demanding he be spared the death penalty.
Thousands Stand Up To Defend Bruce the Dog: Politicians and officials have been inundated with letters, emails and phone calls from concerned members of the public calling for the release of death row dog Bruce.
Meanwhile complex legal proceedings are ongoing as the news breaks this week that the law which has condemned Bruce and countless others like him, appears to have been Amended a staggering eight years ago, seemingly unnoticed by officials and adding utter confusion to the whole sorry situation. The life of Bruce hangs by a thread but as his persistent battle to survive continues more and more people are screaming for his release.
Politicians have been asked to change the legislation, veterinary groups have been deluged with letters from dog owners pleading that every veterinary surgeon refuses to administer the fatal injection, even Her Majesty the Queen has been requested to intervene and grant a Royal Pardon and the protests keep flooding in as the news spreads across the Internet.
As the legal wheels turn slowly, the campaign to ‘Save Bruce’ intensifies and eyes from around the world are now attentively watching Northern Ireland. Bruce remains isolated from his family on canine death row awaiting his fate, unaware of the world wide support he has.
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i will be lighting a candle for bruce tonight xxxxx my thoughts are with him an his family ,,,,,,, i pray that his life will be spared and that the law will be changed so that other innocent family pets will not have to endure what bruce has xxxxxx
The campaign to save Bruce shows the world cares for animals, BSL must go because it destroys innocent dogs on the basis that certain breeds are bad full stop. This dangerous myth and sensationalism should be peacefully challenged with informed and educated argument at every opportunity. Well done to everyone who has given Bruce a voice!
Please listen to the interview with Ryan O’Meara of K9 Magazine on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire Sue Marchant Show, 8.20pm GMT, Friday 24th July -
Listen live online -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cambridgeshire/local_radio/
I’m doing it as well and shall be taking a photo to send in. Thinking of your bruce xxx
Bless him, looks just like my ambull sweet face. Somthing going to have to be done about this BSL it is in effect murder of innocent animals in the most case especially destruction for how it looks.
deed not breed punish the idiots who bring up aggresive dogs not dogs who are born in an un-educated society.
We will also be lighting a candle for Bruce tonight here in Redwood City, Ca.
I hope this campaign to save Bruce will bring some awareness of BSL around the world, and stop the spread of BSL before more family dogs have to die senselessly. BSL is costly legislation that doesn’t work. It’s rediculious to remove innocent dogs (who have done no wrong) from their families just because of breed. If you kill all the Pit Bulls, people will only move on to another breed, and another, and another, until what, we’re sitting staring at our Chia pets. How sad is that? The breeds on the BSL’s list are all wonderful dogs. Don’t punish responsible people and their dogs. Punish The Deed Not The Breed!
I think its absolutely horrible whats been done to Bruce.
How can people think that a type of dog is bad? Its so sad.
I myself have two 5month old dogs and I love them like if they were my children, and it hurts just to think what the family is going through without him.
I pray that someone has the sense to realise that Bruce is a good family dog and he deserves to live with his family who love him.
All my love and thoughts are with Bruce and his family.
The response to the vigil has been fantastic, so many have supported from all over, lots of photos coming in for Bruce today.
(Computers may crash thou!)
We lit a candle here for Bruce last night and submitted a photo. Our thoughts are with Bruce, his family and everyone fighting for him. BSL takes innocent lives and causes heartbreak for families. A dog should not be judged on physical appearance.
I plead with you , you ignore me,
I get angry , you abhor me.
What do I do to get you to hear.
Why do we live in fear ?
If I die ,you have killed me.
If I live ,will it thrill me?
You know,you have been wrong..
Yes, and it wont be long.
For B.S.L.is against compassion,
Education is the fashion.
Discrimination is your cause,
I am tired of your ‘wheres and fors’
I was once on bended knee,
I pleaded that you set them free.
Thousands now have given voice.
Kill or free, you have the choice.
We who stand,will not give way,
B.S.L. has had its day.
For freedom, did we fight a war ?
That’s all I ask, no less, no more !
Hazel
We had a vigil here in Seattle for Bruce. Does anyone have any updates? I heard the owner couldn’t get insurance but haven’t heard anything more on that.
PLEASE, PLEASE – LET BRUCE LIVE HIS LIFE.
He is a lovely dog, anyone can see that. The people of the world have spoken and it is the responsibility of the officials to acknowledge the wishes of the people.
Remembering the words of M. Ghandi that a nation will be judged in how it treats its animals. He is loved and cared for by his family and neighbors. HOW VERY WRONG OF ANY OF THE OFFICIALS FOR NOT SEEKING REPEAL OR AMENDMENT.
I am praying for Bruce and his family from Michigan.
Nancy Lee
Here in India our family and neighbors going to light up candles tonight for childlike Bruce, also we wish and pray for Bruce safety. Don’t have right words to criticize the most gruesome act of Ireland authorities… Someone, Please let him live with the family he belongs.