I have been doing a bit of thinking about this and after watching the video of Bruce a number of times over I would like to ask if we should consider the following.

Before I post this I want to say that I am fully supportive of punish the deed and not the breed campaign.

However has poor Bruce been through to much to go and live with another family?
The video is really powerful, so please don't get me wrong but ask yourself next time a Dog destorys a childs live there will be videos campaigning to save the dog as they are a great family pet as most dogs are.

The authorites have handle this situation very badly as Bruce is guilty of no crime, but I think the menatl torture he has been through may be to much to find him a home or even be returned to his owners.

Once again I support Bruce and this campaign and this was purly a thought that crossed my mind yesterday and wish not to offend any body.

Gaz wrote:

The authorites have handle this situation very badly as Bruce is guilty of no crime, but I think the menatl torture he has been through may be to much to find him a home or even be returned to his owners.


You may be right. Only time will tell if he is not destroyed by the court.

It wouldn't be the first time that an owner has fought successfully for his dog's life only to find the dog so traumatised by its experience, so damaged psychologically, that the owner himself has had to have the dog destroyed.

"We never really win, do we?" said one owner as he cried over the lifeless body of his dog.

johnderondon wrote:
Gaz wrote:

The authorites have handle this situation very badly as Bruce is guilty of no crime, but I think the menatl torture he has been through may be to much to find him a home or even be returned to his owners.


You may be right. Only time will tell if he is not destroyed by the court.

It wouldn't be the first time that an owner has fought successfully for his dog's life only to find the dog so traumatised by its experience, so damaged psychologically, that the owner himself has had to have the dog destroyed.

"We never really win, do we?" said one owner as he cried over the lifeless body of his dog.

No we don't ever win.

But I think there is a very good chance this campaign will succeed. I really hope that Bruce can be the same loving dog he appears to be in the video.
No dog or living being should have to suffer at the hands of narrow minded humans
I feel for the family, the way this has been dealt with is terrible and all parties involved with the removal of this animal from its loving family should feel ashamed.

In a bid to keep piling on the pressure and help Bruce, the alleged pit bull type held under sentence of death in Northern Ireland, DDAWatch have begun a new email campaign. Please, please, please copy or rewrite the following letter and send it to the contacts listed below.




Dear

I am contacting you further to my previous email regarding the tragic case of “Bruce”, the alleged pit bull terrier type held by Northdown Borough Council. I remind you of the facts regarding Bruce.

Bruce is a friendly dog whose temperament has never been in question.
Bruce has a loving family whose only wish is to see him live.
The authorities have held Bruce for nearly two years costing thousands of taxpayer’s money.
Bruce’s condition while incarcerated deteriorated badly, shocking the world.
Bruce’s only “crime” is in his appearance.

In my previous contact with yourself, my request was that you help to intervene and save the life of a friendly pet. I would like to ask this again however it seems no longer enough to request solely for Bruce, as Bruce is one of many dogs that may be found guilty in appearance under the Breed Specific Laws in effect in Northern Ireland.

It is on behalf of all dogs, whose crime is in their appearance, that I now contact you and ask that you make a stand against the needless seizure, detainment and potential destruction of dogs such as Bruce and request that all sections within Article 25 of the Dangerous Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 be repealed from the legislation.

Breed Specific Legislation has been proven to been ineffective at tackling the core problem of irresponsible ownership. Its failure to increase and promote responsible ownership has meant that areas with BSL around the world have failed to see a decrease in incidents with dogs and in many areas these are reported to have actually risen. The Netherlands has noted this failure and has acted accordingly by repealing their ban on breed types.

BSL is also ineffective at reducing the barbaric “sport” of dog fighting. The Welfare of Animals Act contains provisions to deal with those guilty of this offence yet the maximum repercussions for those who abuse and kill innocent creatures are equal to those for a caring owner of a friendly dog whose only crime is in the dog’s physical appearance.

Is it not time that Northern Ireland turn their focus onto those who, intentionally or otherwise, fail to provide for the health and welfare of their pets by ensuring a responsible upbringing of those animals?

I understand that a move to repeal the Breed Specific Aspects of the Dangerous Dogs Act may be considered controversial but I would ask you to question whether or not it is also controversial to continue to back legislation that does not work, cannot work and leads to the destruction of healthy friendly family dogs.

I look forward to hearing your response on the matter

Kind Regards,

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland – Shaun Woodward MP

Northern Ireland Office, 11 Millbank, London, SW1P 4PN

Fax: 01744 24306...

www.shaunwoodward.com/enquiry.html

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson MP MLA – First Minister
Martin McGuinness MP MLA – deputy First Minister
Jeffrey Donaldson MP - www.jeffreydonaldson.org/AdviceCentre.asp
Gerry Kelly MLA
Email: ps.ministers@ofmdfmni.gov.uk

Letters to: GD36 Stormont Castle, Stormont Estate, Belfast BT4 3TT

www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/

Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP - Home Secretary
Letters to: 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF,

Email: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

ruby.cooling@northdown.gov.uk

harry.dunlop@northdown.gov.uk

roberta.dunlop@northdown.gov.uk

wesley.irvine@northdown.gov.uk

info@wjmontgomery.co.uk

alan.chambers@northdown.gov.uk

leslie.cree@northdown.gov.uk

marsden.fitzsimons@northdown.gov.uk

ian.henry@northdown.gov.uk

info@austenlennon.co.uk

alan.graham@northdown.gov.uk

alan.leslie@northdown.gov.uk

james.mckerrow@northdown.gov.uk

marion.smith@northdown.gov.uk

anne.wilson@northdown.gov.uk

brian.wilson@northdown.gov.uk

david.alderdice@northdown.gov.uk

ellie.mckay@northdown.gov.uk

ian.parsley@northdown.gov.uk

diana.peacocke@northdown.gov.uk

enquiries@uspca.co.uk

Alexander Easton DUP Alex.Easton@niassembly.gov.uk

Stephen farry stephen.farry@allianceparty.org

Peter Weir DUP pjweir@hotmail.com

Leslie Cree UUP Leslie.cree@northdown.gov.uk

Stephen farry stephen.farry@allianceparty.org

or facebook pages

Here's Peter Weir
www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Farr...gid=57364012878

Here's Stephen Farry MLA
www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Farry-MLA/71584014663

Brian Wilson
www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Farr.../aldermanwilson

Bruce's Global Vigil, part four

BBC Ulster are covering Bruce's story between 12.00 and 1.30pm.

www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/radioulster/talkback/

Please listen in and lend some support to Bruce's (very nervous) owner.