Reader Joel sent me this note regarding Lennox, which I thought many of you would be interested in reading:
One thing I’ve been wondering…where are all the BSL advocates to stand up and take ownership of this? This is a ideal situation for them, as the process as done everything that strict BSL is supposed to do, to an absolute T:– A dangerous dog, defined by the dog’s appearance, was identified– The dog was then seized BEFORE he could commit a deadly attack (as the BSL folks say…Prevent the deed, ban the breed!)– The seizure was upheld through the judicial process– The dog was killed despite massive protests and public pressureThis is the dream BSL scenario, and it is the most publicized case in who knows how long. Instead of letting Belfast City Council take all the heat for this, they should be helping the council and public celebrate good solid policy. They should be using the opportunity to educate everyone about why this needed to be done, why it was right to do it, and why everyone is safer now. The silence is notable.
He makes a good point. If your group supports BSL, this high profile case is all the free publicity you could ever hope for and you should take advantage of the opportunity to get more cities on your righteous path. BSL takes many forms and in these various forms, has a wide array of advocates. PETA, Dogsbite.org, governments in the cities of Denver, Omaha and Houston, the Canadian province of Ontario as well as many others should all be posing for photos with the gangstas of the BCC and posting the pix on Facebook. They should be dancing in the streets, singing “How Ya Like Me Now?” while waving signs that read “Lennox is Dead! Long Live BSL!” Why so silent, BSL advocates? You won. The blood is fresh. Seize the day.