I know this has absolutely nothing to do with pet hedgehogs. But a friend of mine asked me to put this on my site and as a dog lover how could I refuse. To cut a long story short what I am going to do is ask you to click on a link and sign a petition, in an effort to save an innocent dog’s life. So I hope you’ll bear with me and take the time to read the story and watch Bruce’s video.
Bruce’s Story
Bruce is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. He was found wandering as a stray puppy by a family in Northern Ireland in the UK. He lived happily with his family for several years and then suddenly on 19 September 2007 he was snatched away by officials from the local town council and incarcerated in a dog kennel. The reason these officials could seize the dog is that they decided that Bruce had the appearance of “pit bull type” dog and was therefore banned by the Dangerous Dogs Act (Northen Ireland) Order 1991. What this basically means is that an official can decide that a dog is dangerous simply because he looks like a pit bull! The fact that Bruce has never bitten or acted aggressively towards anybody is not relevant. The fact that Bruce has never put a paw wrong is not disputed by the town council.
In August 2008 a trial at Bangor Magistrates’ Court ruled that Bruce was of the “pit bull type” even though two expert identification witnesses gave evidence that he was not. Two weeks later Bruce was condemned to death.
This sentence caused an uproar and the family and their neighbours have done everything in the power to bring this matter to the public’s attention.
Since his time in the kennel Bruce’s physical condition has deteriorated markedly. He has lost weight and has an open and infected sore on his nose, which has been caused by his constant attempts to open his cage’s door. He has also had to have his tail amputated and is suffering from pressure sores. Despite the pain he must be suffering, experts that have examined the dog have said that he still does not present any danger to the public which is amazing considering what officialdom has put him through.
Please Watch This Video
The Law is Truly an Ass
The most ridiculous part of this story is that if Bruce had been living across the water in England, Wales or Scotland he would not be in this situation. Had he been living literally a few miles down the road in the Republic of Ireland he would happily be living his life with his family as there is no law in that country banning “pit bull type” dogs.
In 1997 England, Wales and Scotland amended The Dangerous Dogs Act so that dogs that proved to be unlawful by appearance (i.e. they look like pit bulls) but were otherwise friendly pets no longer had to be put down. Instead they were entered into a register. Unfortunately even though Northern Ireland is part of the UK it did not adopt this amendment so dogs are still in danger of being destroyed due to their looks alone, notwithstanding the fact that they may have never done anything to merit such treatment.
Many well known animal welfare organisations in the UK have spoken out against this situation and have called for a change in the law. These include the RSPCA, The Dog Trust and the UK Kennel Club.
A dog sanctuary in the Republic of Ireland has even offered Bruce a home, but the court has so far refused to accept the offer.
At the time of writing Bruce has been granted another stay of execution by a Judicial Review of the case while “every avenue of the law is explored”, however this is only temporary. Please add your voice to the many thousands from all over the world that have already signed the petition to clearly state that THIS IS WRONG, JUST WRONG.
Please take a few minutes to go here and sign the online petition.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/BRING-BRUCE-HOME-X
Thank you.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Commonsense should apply here. Just as humans, pet animals should not be categorized by their appearance, but by their behavior.
I couldn’t agree more John. What the British government seems to have done here is ban a dog based on the cruel actions of a minority of owners (dog baiters), and punished responsible owners who keep them as pets. Apparently there are statistics that show that bloody Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers bite more people each year.
the law is an ass. i love dogs. i had dogs all my life and just like a week ago i had a dog pass away. i was soooooooooo sad. but i thought she was in a different place now. and now i have a rottwieller and a pittbull and no one will take my dogs away from me even if i have to go in jail for killing someone. i will not let anyone hurt them. so i will try to help Bruce. i know it can be hard to lose something and to be away from him for ever it can break your heart. also all dogs should deserve to have a long life just like people. so i will try to help him.
i know that everything not just dogs should be taken away by there behavor not by there aperence. I HATE THE LAW!!!
this law is total bullshit I’ve been around dogs since I was little and I couldnt imagine ever wanting a breeds death just cause a few of that particular breed are aggressive in my oppinion blame the owners if they raise and animal up right with love and compassion they are rarely ever aggresive blame the deed not the breed I have friends all over who own pitbulls and from MY personal experiance their one of the nicest dogs in the world if raised right Bruce isnt even a pitbull and yet is being sentenced to death for “looking like one” I may not be able to do much but I will pass along this video and others I find and Bruce will remain in my thoughts
Truly terrible story about Bruce! Do you have any updates?
WOW!! i had a pet pit bull for over 15 years and it hurts when people say that they are bad. i trusted that dog with my new born son before i would trust most people. so this story is truly sad…..oh and i also totally agree with nicky…blame the owners not the dogs!!!!!!!