remember the so called pit bull taken in ireland two years ago for a crime of looking like a pit bull

well heres a update
Update April 2010:

A Freedom of Information Request (FOI) was sent in to Northe Down Borough Council, who are responsible for the operation of the law in their area and seized Bruce in October 2007.

North Down Council seized two pit bulls in 2007, one in 2008 and two in 2009, there has been one seized in 2010 (to date). No dogs have been signed over for destruction and no dogs have died whilst in the care of the Council. Three dogs have been ordered destroyed by the courts since 2007 and the Council states that the number of dogs currently held in kennels (pit bull types) is two (one of them would be Bruce) .

The cost to the Council for kenneling these seized pit bull terriers since 2007 is given as £7065.50.

The FOI asked when was Bruce last seen by a veterinary surgeon and what the outcome of any veterinary examination was. It also asked what the current physical condition of Bruce is, the Council responded:

"The pit bull named Bruce is in the care of private kennels and I am unable to ascertain when he was last seen by a veterinary surgeon. There has been no recent need for him to be so inspected" and

"Bruce is in very good physical condition at this present time."

Meanwhile, the legal wheels continue to turn very slowly and Bruce remains held on canine death row. If you haven't already written a letter for him, please send one in to the contacts given (below on this page) to help keep his plight alive.

Update April 2010:

We sent a Freedom of Information Request to the Department of Agriculture and Rural development (DARD) in Northern Ireland in reference to the operation of the legislation, under which Bruce is held captive. The Animal Identification, Legislation and Welfare Branch responded.

Firstly we asked DARD to confirm that the courts do have discretion when sentencing and can order exemption of pit bull terrier type dogs as an alternative to destruction (do not have to order destruction of a dog) and they responded that the powers of the Courts in relation to dogs are set out in the Dogs (Northern ireland) 1983, as amended. No new news there then but DARD did confirm that;

"Exemption certificates are issued under the Dangerous Dogs Compensation and Exemption Schemes Order (Northern Ireland) 1991 and that those powers are exercised by local councils." They forwarded a copy of the 1991 Order. This information confirms from the Government what was uncovered in July 2009 - here

In reply to our question asking how many dogs have been seized as pit bull types and destroyed in 2009 and how many dogs have been exempted by Court order between 2001 and 2009 we were told that this information is not held by DARD but may be available from local Councils.

Lastly we asked where is the compulsory insurance available from? Dog owners must take out this insurance within a specific time frame in order to comply with the law when directed to do so by the Court under the Amendment. DARD responded:

"The sourcing of insurance is a matter between the dog owner and an insurance company. The Department has sent a letter to PetPlan Limited, who provides this type of cover for dogs in Britain, asking for insurance to be extended for exempted dogs here. The letter was also copied to the Association of British Insurers."

Update 12th March 2010:

A reply from North Down council concerning Bruce states that at the last hearing (9th March) the Judge only heard the evidence from their witnesses and that a further date has to be agreed for further legal argument in the case.

Update 5th March 2010:

David Brown at North Down Borough Council has confirmed in a reply concerning Bruce; 'A further appeal is due to be heard in the County Court on Tuesday 9 March 2010'.



this boys spent to long in custody but he is being released whoooooooooooooooo

the bruce appeal below and also pics of bruce xx

http://www.endangereddogs.com/BruceAppeal.htm

i have been told today bruce is to be pts monday :( although i cannot find any info to see if this is correct :cries:






the info is incorrect and he still in the legal system awaiting his trial

if anyone does have any updates though please let us know xx

OMG, these stories really scare me, if he looks like a pitbull then so does Cody! Blood stupid law. Poor Bruce

i ma trying get updates to wether this is it and he is going home but nothing yet

but he is out of their kennels whoooooooooooooooooo

I hope it is good news x

He is being released to East Galway Animal Rescue where he can legally live :))

please let us know when you know for sure
hope its good news for him

i think thats for sure hun i am sure adele will come on and tell u more
( rileys mum )

Wahey, great news x

i am sat here :cries:

lets hope this is the turn around we very much need and give new home to lennox;s family who are over there fighting for their baby boy

:cries: :cheers: :cheers:

way hay way hay ....please God..I hope he is finally free and with people who will care for him..if this is true ..hope is on it's way for all. :cries:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/East-Galway-Animal-Rescue/169411475888?ref=ts&v=wall#!/pages/East-Galway-Animal-Rescue/169411475888?v=wall&story_fbid=109631029086377&cmntid=109639379085542

we need a fireworks and champagne smiley for this one !!

Wow - I am dumbfounded by this story. So glad it has a happy ending - I hope now Bruce can live the life he so deserves.
Makes you wonder who the "dangerous" species is in this story.

the way its looking he has a life in kennels we dont know any more wether he will be rehomed or not remains to b seen but he will have a far better live in the rescue kennels than he has had for the last two years nearly three xx

chuffed to bits for him.
im hoping that things may be on the turn for our staffys x

i do to linda and when they fetch him and the piccies start coming in i will post them on here for everyone .
i was sat chatting to lennox's family yesterday and my heart truley went out to them he has been in police kennels 48 days now so i am hoping this will turn things around for them xx

Bruce is free? How absolutely bloody fabulous, I've followed his story for some time now and can agree with Liz - need a champagne and fireworks thingy!

Wooo hoooo!!!!!!!

This really is BRILLIANT news.