Jul
Candle-Lit Vigils Held For Deathrow Dog Bruce
Thursday, July 23rd will remain a day to remember as thousands of people came together to participate in a unique worldwide candle lit vigil & anti-bsl campaigners gathered in central London, New York City, Dublin and Seattle to support the pet dog known as ‘Bruce’ who has been imprisoned for nearly two years and condemned to die under draconian breed specific legislation in Northern Ireland.
People of all ages from across the globe paused in their homes and work places to light a candle, to reflect, to remember and to support a dog, a dog who is miles away, a dog that they have never met, a dog who has captured attention as a dog who is sentenced to be killed via lethal injection but has not put a paw wrong, a dog who is representing thousands of nameless pets just like him, pets who have been persecuted for eighteen years and put to death by a law no one supports, a law which rips apart families, a mad law that disgracefully United Kingdom residents are still blighted with.
Running alongside the candle lit vigil, events were organised in central London, New York, Dublin and Seattle, despite the rain, people made their way travelling to show their support, standing united against injustice with their families and their dogs.
In central London dog owners gathered peacefully outside the Northern Ireland Office between 9pm and 10pm. The pavement and front of the building soon filled up with banners, flowers and candles and the message was clear – Let Bruce Live as we are not giving up on him and Repeal this cruel law that exterminates dogs based on their appearance. Supporters quietly lined up and laid a flower amongst the candles flickering In the dark in memory of dogs just like Bruce, older pets and others just puppies who have all suffered and had their lives ended under the Dangerous Dogs Act, they were remembered, the nameless voiceless casualties who pay with their lives for our failures were remembered.
Happily mingling amongst the crowd was a registered dog named Bishop, just 3 years of age and limping having endured nine months in kennels awaiting his fate, muzzled and branded with a huge tattoo under the law, he couldn’t get his tongue out to lick everyone as this was his main mission, but he did manage to have his belly repeatedly rubbed and took his own flower attached to his collar to lay alongside the rest.
Vigil photographs began to arrive en masse as people took part and made their own record; they have been collated and can be seen online in three parts (part four is currently in the making). A truly remarkable day had unfolded, with some of us thinking how would It feel if it was our precious dog that was forcibly taken away, our dog living in a concrete cell, our dog branded as ‘dangerous’ or with his tail cut away due to infection, with some already aware having experienced it first hand. Bruce has captured the hearts of many as he epitomises a wider issue that has been sizzling away for some time: a law which is so desperately in need of repeal.
Thursday marked the 673rd night in kennels for Bruce, locked away and unaware that some humans do care, haven’t given up and are trying to help save him and end the misery that is breed specific legislation.
All eyes remain focused on Northern Ireland, the politicians have the power to stand up and end this ridiculous law throughout the UK, in the meantime Bruce waits a further legal hearing and a second wave of letters and complaints are being planned as the message is clear – where there is life there is hope. END BSL.
London Vigil:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86ayzyR_flE
Layers of Flowers – London – httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6KLLkTsLWM&feature=related
New York City Vigil – httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYYwdXHVSjQ&feature=related
Worldwide Candle-Lit Vigil:
Part One – httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11UmAeG46ZE
Part Two – httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsWmoxyYMRE
Part Three – httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePeUyFCNPuA&feature=related
I didn’t attend the vigil but I lit a candle for him at home and started crying.
Does anyone have any info on the Bruce affair,the media is very quiet
and nothing seems to be coming out of Northern Ireland.
smarock10@yahoo.com
These people need to stand up and do want is right– they can see that this dog is not viciious and needs to be with his people. What they are doing is wrong and cruel– where is there their humanity??? This dog has been tormented enough– let him go home and be loved I am sure this is all that he wants.
We’re supposed to be a country of animal lovers … I can’t believe that this could have happened to an innocent dog. Please free Bruce !!
A dog’s life long goals are to…..
…give a million kisses…
….receive a million kisses….
…give a million hugs…
….receive a million hugs….
…give a million smiles…
….receive a million smiles….
…give a million precious moments…
….receive a million precious moments….
…..so help a dog to fulfill their goals because life is short.
By Christopher K.llar
Yes I agree with Selwyn. I thought they found a loophole. why isn’t he home? Is it too public for them?
This is the first time I’ve heard of this tragic story, and I am deeply sadden for Bruce. We have some of the same problems here in the US. It is not the breed, it is the action. This is racial profiling within the animal kingdom at its worse. These breed specific laws remind me of the laws imposed on Jews by the Nazis and the Nazis attempts to destroy the genetic lineage of the Jewish people. I can’t be the only person who sees the parallel.
Bruce, my heart goes out to you. May you be free.
Alaska Ani
So now it’s October…where is Bruce…what has happened to him????????
Bruce is still held in kennels awaiting further legal action, there is no new news as far as I know currently.
Thanks for the update, Amanda. I was wondering what happened. This NI law against breeds is atrocious! Are these laws in effect throughout the UK? About Bruce, specifically… are the owners allowed to visit regularly or are there legal restrictions on that, too? Again, thanks for updating us!
I have just read about Bruce’s story and i am so appalled. When will people learn MOST dogs are not born evil, it is the way SOME humans treat them!!!!!! Would you find a prisoner in such vial conditions? No – they would be a in a nice warm cell, with all the mod cons!!! I cannot see why this poor dog cannot be treated with respect and be looked after humanly whilst his life be in the hands of some over paid human that probably does not own a dog! A dog will give you more unconditional love than any human. It saddens me to think of Bruce alone when my dogs are laid asleep at my feet, not knowing how lucky they are that they are the ‘correct type of breed’ -GOOD LUCK BRUCE!
belfast city council are now trying to put a disabled childs dog lexxox down their dog wardens are evil
I’m a 5 year old American Bull cross and I have been taken from my loving family by Belfast City Council and locked up because of how I look, I want to go home to my family, I have never done anything wrong. Please be my voice!
http://www.savelennox.co.uk