Crossposting, text written by DDA Watch:
"Today a friend and myself had the most amazing time. We spent a lovely warm spring afternoon in the company of two young dogs. We walked; we played, sunbathed and had the greatest day. What made the day even more fantastic was that the two dogs we had the pleasure of having in our care had just spent 18 months, a huge majority of their life, locked up in secret kennels. A week earlier I was sure they would be dead by today.
In December 2008 at just a few months of age they were seized as alleged pit bull types. Papers showing them to be American bulldogs made no difference and the prosecution proceeded with the lengthy process of a court hearing. But there was now an added problem. Their owner was no longer allowed to keep the dogs at his home. If they were deemed to be pit bull types, they would certainly die. If they were found not guilty and but had no where to go, they would die.
Tina Hay of Wheldon Law took on the case and instructed Barrister Giles Morrison to represent the owners in court. Kendal Shepherd was called in as Breed Expert for the defence. To those people DDA Watch, EDDR and One Life Rescue extend again their heartfelt thanks for without them these dogs would indeed be dead.
Ms Shepherd examined the dogs and determined them not to be type but to be American bulldogs now all we had to do was convince the court. Giles Morrison acting for Tina Hay argued for the dogs over the two days. Winning a type case is very hard to do, very few win. As the Judge retired to consider the evidence nerves ran high if we lost the dogs would die if we didn't what on earth could we do with dogs who have really only ever known a kennel?
Then the verdict came back Not Guilty!
After 18 months of fighting we could NOT let them die because there was no where to go so DDA Watch, with help from Endangered dogs and One Life Rescue agreed to place both dogs.
And this is what we have done and this is why I have just had the most fantastic day. They are both alive and they are both loving wonderful dogs.
But they also need vet care. Both are underweight, have sore feet and what appears to be urine stains. We have some concerns regarding one of the dogs health which will be costly if as we fear. We are having to kennel them which is costing £23 a night. But we couldn't let them die could we?"
Those dogs won their freedom. Many do not, some are only puppies, yet they die. Please look at this short clip which shows Karma and Brandy enjoying their freedom.
Dangerous dogs? No way. But these could be YOUR dogs. Details of who to contact to protest against the Dangerous Dogs Act and the proposed new Dog Control Act, which is in it's second reading in the House Of Lords, are at the end of the video. We only have until 1st June to be heard.
Maria Daines, the singer on the video, is a contact of mine in rescue. She works tirelessly to save dogs such as these, as well as pound dogs and those unwanted by their owners and has been instrumental in rescuing and rehoming a dog which I dealt with here on MN Pets. She is a remarkable lady who deserves much credit.