We are Lennox.

Earlier this week, at the stroke of midnight when his stay expired, an innocent family dog was put to death.  His name was Lennox.  His crime was his appearance (he was a lab/bulldog mix), it was said that he looked like a pit bull type dog.  This happened in Belfast,  (Northern Ireland), but his story has captured the hearts of bully breed lovers and dog lovers in general all over the world, including me. 

 Lennox's story has been going on for two years now when he was torn from his family and sentenced to death.  Despite the protest of thousands of people around the world, and several world renowned  animal behaviorists like Victoria Stillwell and Cesar Millan and rescue groups like Villalobos, asking to take possession of Lennox, the pleas were ignored.  After spending two years deplorable conditions, health deteriorating, he was ultimately euthanized.  His family wasn't even permitted to say goodbye.   This dog had never bitten anyone.  Quite the opposite, he was the best friend and therapy dog to a special needs little girl for five years.  That was, until BSL (breed specific legislation) went into affect and he was seized from her arms, being placed in the category of "dangerous dogs." 

This is important to me because there are Lennoxs' everywhere.  It's happening all over our country too.  In my state, there are many towns with BSL in place.  Having dogs in my family that, if judged solely on appearance, could easily fall into the "dangerous dog" category, it really makes me sad and afraid.  

I am not saying that I think animals that are an actual threat to the safety of society should be allowed to roam the streets.  I just think that the dogs are being punished instead of the real criminals, the thugs that own these "tough" looking dogs and train them to be aggressive.  Any dog can bite.  Any dog can be aggressive.  It's all in how they are raised and treated.  One reason that the pitties and other bully breeds are the ones that are always in the news is because dog fighters and gangsters and drug dealers don't typically raise labradoodles.  Truth be told, for every aggressive pit bull out there, there are a hundred more that wouldn't hurt a fly.  JUDGE THE DEED. NOT THE BREED!

Rest in peace, sweet Lennox.  Your death was not in vain.  You have an army fighting in your name so your brothers and sisters around the world don't meet the same fate. 

Dixe- Mixed breed. We have often thought she may have a touch of pitbull in her.

Bella- Almost certainly has pitbull in her.

Jax- white boxer. often mistaken for an American Bulldog.