Not sure if anyone else has had a reply from Northdown Borough Council but if so I would point out that when the court asked Bruce's owner to get insurance for Bruce they might as well have asked her to walk to the moon.

Pit bull types are illegal in NI and no insurance company will provide cover for something illegal.

What a bunch of crock!!





The court got it wrong




Which was not possible. Never mind the Dogs Act 2001. When the judge said Bruce was a pit bull type then he became illegal to own in NI under the DDA 1991 and that meant that no matter how hard Shannon tried to get insurance, and by God she did try, no company would offer cover.

Insurance companies do not insure illegal things. The court got it wrong but Northdown are keeping that quiet aren't they?



...with an impossibility.





Ha! That's how they describe it! Being informed that the court had set impossible terms is "further legal argument"! BS!!!





Might as well have told her to walk to the moon but, sure, the owner "failed". Got it.





The council has refused to allow Shannon to see Bruce since the begining of the year because they say it is too expensive to arrange. Thanks to the public outcry and letters Mr. McFarland MLA is attempting to pressure Northdown council into another visit or to, at least, give Bruce's owner some current photographs.



They're not endeavourting to continue visits! They're ob-bloodly-structing visits! What planet are they on?




Not "could not".

"Would not".

There's a difference but it's lost on Claire Jackson.

Oh, I'm angry now.

Good I didn't know she was writing a song, although it would be the sort of thing she would do.This story is just heartbreaking, I just read your other post about visits etc, it is so wrong, poor, poor Bruce and his family.

Johnderondon, just thinking what if we contact celebs who have been in dog related films lately, and those who have appeared on dog training programs. They might be willing to add their support. I have done a template email and was going to try and make contact through their official websites but don't know who to put as a contact (don't want them contacting me as I don't know enough about everything that is going on and my lack of knowledge might put their PR people off). Do you have any ideas?

Sorry to keep asking you but you seem really involved in all this and I just think if we can get lots of celebs involved then the press will have to take notice (as surprise they have ignored my emails).

great idea, we could try contacting celebs. Also contacting things like the One Show etc to get more publicity on it.

Good idea, Emax.

If you pm me I'll send you a contact email address (although it will be some time tomorrow now).

Thanks!

please dont jump on me but....

is bruce actually a pit bull?? proven?

No - he is of type. Basically looks like Bruno to me.
Regardless he hasnt done anything wrong - he has never harmed anyone/thing and the only reason he cant be just neutured and muzzled etc is down to the fact that NI dont have that in their DDA act.

Ive seen loads of Pit Bulls, no way on this earth is Bruce a Pit Bull, he looks Staff cross, maybe something a bit bigger, no way Pit Bull.

thanks for clearing that up...

im not aware of the dangerous dogs act in ireland so wont comment on that....

if anyone can educate me on it id appreciate it

but it is a shame the dog has sufffered so much with the owners from what i have read refering to him as a pit bul - not the best idea....