Sally's Sharebook 

I am writing to you with regard to a travesty about to occur in Northern Ireland and to beg you to intervene and help save a life.

The life in question belongs to Bruce, a young Staffordshire Bull Terrier who was living happily with his family in Northern Ireland. On September 19^th 2007 Bruce was seized by council officials 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.

While incarcerated in kennels his family were allowed to visit Bruce in October 2007, Bruce had lost weight, muscle and had a cut to his muzzle. Five months later Bruce was allowed a second visit from his family in March 2008, they were shocked with what they found: The wound on Bruce's muzzle was larger and had become infected, he had to have his tail amputated, had open sores, was underweight and looked totally rejected, yet despite the clear pain he was in, is described by experts as being a friendly dog that poses no danger to the public. In a desperate attempt to save Bruce, owner Shannon Brown, supporters and neighbours have created petitions and videos resulting in worldwide support to 'Bring Bruce Home'.

 Northern Ireland has not adopted the 1997 Amendment Act as in England, Scotland and Wales, despite being proposed several times, thus meaning any dog deemed to be 'pit bull type' cannot be entered onto the Index of Exempted Dogs.  If the proposal had been accepted in Northern Ireland, as with the rest of the UK, Bruce would have been home long before now, alive and well registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs. Northern Ireland is however currently considering legislative change but this is not likely to be achieved in time to save Bruce.

 If Bruce lived in Southern Ireland where no breeds are nationally banned he would never have been seized at all. Bruce has been offered a place of safety with a reputable rescue in Southern Ireland where he could legally live out the rest of his life, this offer has been conveyed to the solicitor but has sadly not been accepted by the court.

I understand that you have the power to grant a pardon and we beg of you to do all within your power to allow Bruce the chance of life by requesting Bruce is granted safe passage to Southern Ireland and the rescue placement that is waiting there for him. This is all that is needed. I am sure,  that you are aware of how emotionally committed good owners are to their pets. Dogs are part of our families as much as children. Please spare Bruce’s owner the further trauma of destroying Bruce so needlessly. Please pardon Bruce and allow a blameless animal the chance of life.

Please do not destroy this gentle, beautiful dog who has never been aggressive to a human being or an animal.  There are so many people worldwide supporting Bruce, they cannot all be wrong.  Bruce is just being victimized because he lives in Northern Ireland, where the law has not permitted the 'pit bull type' dog to be entered on the Index of Exempted Dogs.  If you are considering legislative change, please postpone any actions to euthanise Bruce, who is totally innocent, until you have arrived at a decision regarding this change in the law. 

Another alternative, would be to send Bruce to the rescue centre that is waiting to take him in in Southern Ireland, where he will be protected by their laws.  Bruce could stay there for life if the law in Northern Ireland does not change regarding his breed.  If , however the law does change in Northern Ireland and Bruce's breed is allowed onto the Index of Exempted Dogs, then he could be returned to his family.

It would be a travesty to euthanise a very sweet, gentle and loving dog that does not have an aggressive bone in his body, even if there were no alternatives because Bruce is innocent and should not be in this cruel shelter waiting to be euthanised.   The situation is even worse than this because there ARE alternatives that can be considered. 

We claim to be a nation of animal lovers, surely now it is time to prove it?

Yours sincerely

SALLY DIX