Victory!!!

EGAR

VICTORY!! I don't know how many of you know about Bruce's plight in NI. I got involved fairly early on and today I got the phone call I never thought I would get: the judge ordered that Bruce is to be released into my custody!!!!! This is a legal precendence and a kick in the teeth for DDA supporters in NI. There are several conditions attached for this to happen which are all easy for me to realise. Bruce has been imprisoned in NI for years. His plight has united people all over the world. I have worked tirelessly behind the scene to get him released. As he was classed a Pit Bull and NI has never accepted the amendment to the DDA his fate was sealed. However, today a judge has ruled for Bruce to be released to me. I am ecstatic, this has never happened before and my work has paid off!!

I was crying so hard when I got the call, I felt like a fool. This means that a judge actually ruled against existing laws in NI in favour of Bruce and has shown great compassion. Let's hope that this is the first step in the right direction for many more dogs to follow and hopefully a review of the DDA in NI.

You have NO idea how happy I am about this.

Don't ever think that you can't change anything!

anniehoo

Well done EGAR...super super news! You must be over the moon!!;)

easyeason3

I've always maintained that the owner determines a dogs personality not the breed.

Congratulations, you must be thrilled. A hard battle won, but it was won!

adser53

Absolutely fantastic news EGAR!!!! Well done!

arybvtcw0eolkf

Wasn't there a link to Bruce's plight here earlier during the year?.

Brilliant news, didn't he suffer horendous conditions in custody leading to some medical problems, will these be looked after now?.

lrushe

Brillant news!!!! Fair play to you for all your hard work, its a step in the right direction!!!

arybvtcw0eolkf

BRUCE.

I've moved to tear's, the big softie that I am!.

(I'm too damned soft).


VICTORY INDEED.

The Sweeper

EGAR, I wish you every luck in the world rehabilitating the poor dog. I hope his time being actively mistreated by the authorities hasn't soured his sweet temprament. I hope his injuries are treatable and have not turned into something chronic and acute.

It beggars belief that the authorities of any country would take a healthy animal, for whatever reason, and then allow its physical condition to degenerate so utterly.

evilmonkee

Congratulations!!! You did a fantastic thing and as a staffy lover I thank you with all my heart for what you have done for him.

GalwayKiefer

For anyone who wasn't following this case, here's a quick link to a youtube video about Bruce: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aQLog460Io

Google "Bring Bruce home" and "Save Bruce" for links to the hundreds of pages covering this poor dogs's plight.

Well done to you Sarah and to EGAR for not only saving this guy's life but for making a massive difference to the hundreds of dogs in Northern Ireland in similar situations. How many dogs have been put down in NI simply for being a certain breed (or appearing to be a certain breed)....

GalwayKiefer

Ya bet me to it Makikomi but sure i'll leave mine up too. Gotta learn to type faster.

arybvtcw0eolkf

GalKiefer wrote: »

Ya bet me to it Makikomi but sure i'll leave mine up too. Gotta learn to type faster.

'Tis all good news, I'm delighted regardless.

TaraR

This Is Brilliant News:D:D:D Im So Happy

Blueprint

Great news, I hope he's able to recover from his ordeal and have a brilliant life from now on!

DBCyc

That's absolutley brilliant news! Well done EGAR!

joyce2009

oh my god i'm in floods of tears hear i'm so happy for bruce, his family, you but most of all for the future of other bull breeds,,please let this be the turning point for them..God bless that judge for having an open mind and not falling for the uneducated rubbish that is put out there..

Millie

Wow!!! I didn't know anything about Bruce or his case until I opened this thread and I have been deeply moved by it.

WELL DONE TO ALL CONCERNED AND HOORAY FOR BRUCE!!!

Wisco

That's brilliant, congrats!!! and thanks for all your hard work, now let's hope this sets a precedent. DDA is just silly- ought to imprison irresponsible owners of 'bad' dogs instead!

antomagoo

Well done Egar that is fantastic news, you are a saint for putting in all that work

funkyjebus

fantastic news egar, bruce has been in my thoughts for quite some time. im so glad his ordeal is over. i wish you and bruce all the best for the future. what a great was to start a friday. fantasic news.

Narsil

Wonderful news:D Well done!!

EGAR

The solicitor will be in touch next week to arrange collection at a *secret location* - very cloak and dagger. One would think I am committing a crime .

I wont believe it for sure until I have him in my car and drive off with him.

People in Loughrea, if you heard about a mad woman who was dancing around the SuperValu parking lot with a mobile to her ear yesterday morning at around 11 then that was me .

Zapperzy

Fantastic news, I was only thinking about him a few days ago wondering what happened to him. So so so happy to hear this. *Victory dance* Lets hope this is a turning point.

Tony H

Great news Egar ,hopefully you will be able to help him recover from his unjustified ordeal .

iguana

Well done, that's great news for the little guy.

How are his family? Will they stay in contact with him when he is with you?

Whispered

EGAR you never cease to amaze me!

I cannot WAIT to see pics of him safe and sound with you. You give us all hope. Thank you.

I hope there is such thing as Karma. doG bless that judge and all of you who worked to make this happen.

EDIT: I just watched that video. Really EGAR, god bless you. I'm off to give Harley a hug. :(

January

Sarah and EGAR, it's inspirational all the work you do for these breeds. Fair play to you and can't wait to hear more about Bruce. Hopefully he will be ok after being in that state for so long... the poor thing...

mymo

Congratulations, please keep us updated about this boy.
I read his story some time ago as always wondered what happened, can't believe it took so long, only hope the poor chap is in good shape after all this time(I know he was in very bad shape at one time with sores and his tail removed), I'd love to hear news of him.
EGAR its wonderful people like you that work tirelessly for a cause, that restore my faith in humankind after all the bad news and horror stories we hear, there aren't words enough to praise you for all your hard work.:)

tazwaz

oh my god this is heartbreaking...how on earth can some one get away with doing that to bruce..the state of the poor fella..
well done and i look forward to seeing loads of pics in the next few weeks

shanagarry

That's fantastic news EGAR, and you should be very, very proud of sticking with this. I hadn't heard anything about Bruce for ages and was tempted to google, but I was afraid what I would find would break my heart.

Please keep us updated on what is happening with him.

CL32

Congrats - absolutely great news.

The world was watching and its great to see people CAN make a difference. I remember watching the videos of the vigils for this dog all over the world. Powerful stuff.

LucyBliss

I don't know what's on that video and frankly, I'm afraid to watch it because I think I would just burst into tears and never stop. I am a complete soft touch where animals are concerned and reading about what this poor boy has been through just breaks my heart.
God bless you, EGAR, for working on this dog's behalf and giving him a chance of a happy life once more. This is fantastic news. Absolutely fantastic. Can you please give us updates about him and let us know how he's getting over over the next few months?

The Sweeper

I hope this decision helps change the legislation - because it's happened again in NI:

...Lennox was seized by a dog warden on Wednesday 19th May 2010, following Caroline’s application to renew her dog licenses, a task she attends to annually. Belfast City Council have issued a dog licence for Lennox every year since he was a puppy, this year, after being registered for 5 years as an American Bulldog cross, he was seized under the dangerous dogs act, suspected of being of pit bull type. Until last month Lennox lived happily with the family’s other dogs, an 8 year old male Yorkshire Terrier and a 3 year old female Boxer. Lennox is also insured, neutered, DNA registered, Pet Safe registered and micro chipped. The dog warden came to the Barnes home armed with a dressmakers measuring tape, yes you did read that correctly… And after measuring Lennox’s head the warden decided that he should be seized, that was the last the family have seen of their dog.

Lennox has an underlying medical condition that requires regular treatment from a vet. Caroline does not know whether Lennox is receiving any medication because his physical and mental condition is unknown. There is no council helpline or resources for people like the Barnes family, no updates from the dog warden or the dog control department, no canine welfare reports, no visits, no feedback, no correspondence from the authorities, no comment, no care, no way to find out a thing. This is pure heartbreak. Families who have their dog taken from them in this way just sit and wait by the phone worrying about their pet. It seems the most dreadfully cruel way to treat people and of course the dog, who finds itself in a new and frightening environment.

Human prisoners, no matter how heinous their crime, are allowed a visitor from the outside world. But even the most basic human consideration is denied dog owners, before any court proceedings have taken place. This is nothing short of mental and emotional cruelty, which should have no place in a society such as ours.

From http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/5892/trial-by-tape-measure-the-story-of-lennox/

Dixie Chick

Thats heart breaking, bloody ****ing heart breaking. i dont know what I would do if someone tried to sieze a dog I loved and owned for 5 years. If I knew it would be kept it the kind of conditions that Bruce was kept it, would i euthanise the poor thing before it got taken??

sionnaic

Dixie Chick wrote: »

Thats heart breaking, bloody ****ing heart breaking. i dont know what I would do if someone tried to sieze a dog I loved and owned for 5 years.

second that! This is truly heinous.... I'm sitting here in total shock at first of all poor Bruce's story (which I hadn't heard before) and now to think of another dog and his family subjected to the same mindless, ignorant and completely incomprehensible treatment. I'm totally agog. :eek:
I honestly can't think of a single sensible thing to say. Surely to god someone in authority has to see sense regarding these situations. To seize a family pet which hasn't done anything wrong, and indeed has been raised and cared for, to what sounds like very high standards, :mad: it's just incomprehensible...what sort of person could do this????!!!! that poor family and that poor poor dog....it's just so awful. I actually have tears in my eyes just thinking about how scared and confused he must be.

EGAR

Hundreds of dogs are in custody in NI and the UK - their only crime is to look a certain way. Many have died whilst in custody. Bruce and Lennox are just the tip of the ice berg.

http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/1983/the-scandal-of-dogs-dying-in-police-care-it-must-stop-right-now/

I am involved with DDA cases in NI and UK for a long time and have taken quite a few dogs from NI and UK who were in danger. DDA must be scrapped and only a massive outcry can accomplish this.

The Sweeper

It's the arbitrary nature of the seizures that really bothers me.

Have sent an email to the addresses on the Lennox website. Got the stock reply, but at least it's another voice.

lisar201

hey egar
any news on bruce?did u pick him up yet??will u be looking to rehome him or are you going to keep him?

EGAR

I will update as soon as he is here, due to the *marching season* next week the whole thing seems to be on hold until the week after. Everything is arranged just waiting for Alison (solicitor) to call me with a day, time and place.

As for the rest of your question: the dog has been kept in solitary confinement for nearly three years. He will need thorough assessment and rehabilitation. I will decide what his future holds when I have a better idea what his physical and mental state will be.

jellybear

Have been following this case for ages, and am thrilled with this fantastic news! Well done EGAR and everyone else involved!

lisar201

that poor poor dog!i hope he is ok i really do but he is going to be in the best hands with yourself!!!I was just wondering if his family that he was taking off be able to have any contact with him or are they not allowed know what is happening with him??

LucyBliss

EGAR wrote: »

the dog has been kept in solitary confinement for nearly three years. He will need thorough assessment and rehabilitation. I will decide what his future holds when I have a better idea what his physical and mental state will be.

Jeebus, going from a family home to solitary confinement is enough to destroy anyone, let alone a poor dog who did nothing and doesn't understand why he's being treated this way. I hope he settles well with you, EGAR. These cases and this bloody law is breaking my heart.

lisar201

Het EgarAny word on Bruce?It is a heart breaking story!I really hope he can recover from the whole ordeal! poor inconnet dog!

YOURFACE!

EGAR you are a hero!!!!! Im sitting here in work holding back tears of joy for both you and Bruce!!!! Well done!!!