11/07/2012
Lennox The Dog Put To Sleep
A dangerous pit bull at the centre of an international campaign to overturn its death sentence was put down today.
Supporters of Lennox included Samantha Fox, boxer Lennox Lewis, the Duchess of York, First Minister Peter Robinson and Morissey, but the dog was put down this morning.
A council statement said it "regretted" the death, but had to put public safety first.
The statement read: "Belfast City Council confirmed today that the dog Lennox, an illegal pit-bull terrier type, has been humanely put to sleep. The council's expert described the dog as one of the most unpredictable and dangerous dogs he had come across."
Council workers have been the subjects of threatening messages and city councillors told Rebecca Black, a journalist at the News Letter, that a bombscare at City Hall this morning was believed to be the work of the dog's supporters.
Lennox was impounded by Belfast City Council's dog wardens in 2010.
His owner was a disabled woman and her family claimed he was not dangerous.
But such dogs are illegal in Northern Ireland under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
In June, Caroline Barnes' legal bid to overturn an order for the destruction of her pet was overturned for the last time.
Claims about the dog's danger centred on its unpredictability.
Ms Barnes said her daughter Brooke had been denied the chance to say goodbye to the dog, and they will only receive its ashes.
Last night Lennox supporters staged a protest in Spain, following similar rallies in New York and Serbia.
(NE)
Supporters of Lennox included Samantha Fox, boxer Lennox Lewis, the Duchess of York, First Minister Peter Robinson and Morissey, but the dog was put down this morning.
A council statement said it "regretted" the death, but had to put public safety first.
The statement read: "Belfast City Council confirmed today that the dog Lennox, an illegal pit-bull terrier type, has been humanely put to sleep. The council's expert described the dog as one of the most unpredictable and dangerous dogs he had come across."
Council workers have been the subjects of threatening messages and city councillors told Rebecca Black, a journalist at the News Letter, that a bombscare at City Hall this morning was believed to be the work of the dog's supporters.
Lennox was impounded by Belfast City Council's dog wardens in 2010.
His owner was a disabled woman and her family claimed he was not dangerous.
But such dogs are illegal in Northern Ireland under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
In June, Caroline Barnes' legal bid to overturn an order for the destruction of her pet was overturned for the last time.
Claims about the dog's danger centred on its unpredictability.
Ms Barnes said her daughter Brooke had been denied the chance to say goodbye to the dog, and they will only receive its ashes.
Last night Lennox supporters staged a protest in Spain, following similar rallies in New York and Serbia.
(NE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 February 2007
15-dogs handed over in Ballymena dangerous dog amnesty
Fifteen pit-bull type dogs have been put down during the dangerous dogs amnesty imposed by Ballymena Borough Council.
15-dogs handed over in Ballymena dangerous dog amnesty
Fifteen pit-bull type dogs have been put down during the dangerous dogs amnesty imposed by Ballymena Borough Council.
03 August 2009
Hero Army Dog Handlers Honoured
Murdered soldiers who worked with specialist 'sniffer' dogs during the Northern Ireland Troubles have been remembered. The 'Red Paw' and its work across Northern Ireland was the subject of a special memorial service held in England at the weekend. It was in honour of the six dog handlers and two sniffer dogs killed in Northern Ireland.
Hero Army Dog Handlers Honoured
Murdered soldiers who worked with specialist 'sniffer' dogs during the Northern Ireland Troubles have been remembered. The 'Red Paw' and its work across Northern Ireland was the subject of a special memorial service held in England at the weekend. It was in honour of the six dog handlers and two sniffer dogs killed in Northern Ireland.
11 March 2016
Woman Attacked By Two Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dogs
A woman received puncture wounds to her hand and arm after being attacked by two Staffordshire Bull Terrier dogs in Co Tyrone. The incident happened when the woman was walking on the Old Coagh Road in Cookstown on Thursday. The Cookstown Council Dog Warden has seized the dogs and is trying to identify an owner.
Woman Attacked By Two Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dogs
A woman received puncture wounds to her hand and arm after being attacked by two Staffordshire Bull Terrier dogs in Co Tyrone. The incident happened when the woman was walking on the Old Coagh Road in Cookstown on Thursday. The Cookstown Council Dog Warden has seized the dogs and is trying to identify an owner.
03 July 2003
Dog lovers urged to ‘scoop the poop’
Belfast City Council has today launched a major campaign to urge dog lovers to ‘scoop their poop’. The high visibility campaign is aimed at owners who allow their pets to foul the city’s streets and parks, but then don’t clean up the mess left behind.
Dog lovers urged to ‘scoop the poop’
Belfast City Council has today launched a major campaign to urge dog lovers to ‘scoop their poop’. The high visibility campaign is aimed at owners who allow their pets to foul the city’s streets and parks, but then don’t clean up the mess left behind.
23 April 2008
NI Hosts BBC TV Drama
Northern Ireland's growing reputation as a film location is set for another boost as a new TV drama, filmed in both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland goes on air. Produced with assistance from both Northern Ireland Screen and the Irish Government, the new BBC TV drama comes to the small screen on 1 May.
NI Hosts BBC TV Drama
Northern Ireland's growing reputation as a film location is set for another boost as a new TV drama, filmed in both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland goes on air. Produced with assistance from both Northern Ireland Screen and the Irish Government, the new BBC TV drama comes to the small screen on 1 May.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.