Dog lovers have united worldwide in peaceful protests,
rallies and awareness days which have taken place in a united global day of
anti-breed specific legislation events this month.
The UK joined the global day of action once again and
London took part with a peaceful protest, the Westminster event was held on
Saturday 15th July and there were also awareness day events in Coventry West
Midlands and Cardiff, Wales.
The Westminster protest was organised by DDA Watch Ltd, a
campaign group which helps and supports dogs and their families affected by the
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and this years' event marked 26 years of failed, unjust
dog law in the UK.
Ottawa, Winnipeg, Ontario, Halifax, Montreal, Toronto,
Barrie, Truro, Nova Scotia in Canada and Germany also held anti-BSL events for
the 15th July as part of the Global Anti-breed specific legislation issue
affecting dogs and their families world wide.
Dog lovers travelled across the UK to unite and take a
stand for innocent dogs and to call for a repeal of a failed piece of
legislation that targets types of dogs and condemns them as 'dangerous' based
on their physical appearance.
The Westminster protest was a grass-roots gathering, with
volunteers present who actively campaign and support innocent dogs and their
families being torn apart by breed specific legislation on a daily basis.
Attending to support the event was veterinary surgeon and
animal behaviourist Dr Kendal Shepherd MRCVS, canine behaviourists Robert
Alleyne and Jordan Shelley and dog trainer for film, television and stage
productions, Robert Stuhldreer with his beautiful assistance dog Flora. One
supporter was dressed as the 'Grim Reaper' with a message for Defra attached to
the black outfit which said 'I am Breed Specific Legislation' and gave out
information leaflets to those passing by outside the Parliamentary buildings.
Giving out plenty of canine kisses was the beautiful
Staffie named 'Whippet', a Battersea Dogs Home Ambassadog who came along to
support the event with her mum, Chris McLean. Whippet wore her special pink
coat with the words 'Breed Specific Legislation Murders My Friends' written on
it, raising awareness for her doggy pals.
At the event in central London, there was a large white
sheet headed ‘People’s Messages to Defra – 26 Years of Tears’ and dog lovers
wrote their own personal messages to be sent to Government; some in memory of
much loved dogs who had never put a paw wrong and have been killed by the
outdated legislation.
Another precious dog named Paul was remembered,
heartbreakingly his casket of ashes was brought to the protest to show the end
result of many dogs affected by this harsh and unfair legislation. Paul had
lost his life in 2015 and campaigners shed tears as his casket was placed in
remembrance at the event.
Banners and placards were held high just outside the
mighty buildings of Westminster where the law which condemns dogs based on
their appearance was first passed 26 years ago; a young supporter who had
travelled a considerable distance held up a photograph of Lennox, a canine
victim of breed specific legislation from Northern Ireland whose death five
years ago this month had sparked global outrage and condemnation, bringing the
injustices of the legislation to the attention of thousands of people across
the world and leaving a legacy of hope that disastrous BSL will one day end.
Two supporters from Devon held up their placard for a
much loved dog named Sky who is held incarcerated and caught up in a legal
nightmare due to BSL.
Another innocent dog named Blitz who has been tragically
sentenced to death under the barbaric law and endured two and a half years
imprisoned on canine death row was remembered and many members of the public
were shocked to learn that this is what can and often does happen in the UK and
overseas, to pet dogs who have never bitten or hurt anyone. Several people who
stopped to speak to the campaigners expressed their disgust and shock that this
legislation exists in Great Britain and other parts of the world.
Over two thousand DDA Watch leaflets were distributed in
central London and further petition signatures were gained to help create
awareness of the situation which campaigners say is long overdue for repeal.
Maria Daines, a Director of DDA Watch and one of the
event organisers said: 'It is high time breed specific legislation was at least
extensively debated in parliament with a view to repealing section 1 (DDA)
which has proven over 26 years to be ineffective, unfair and cruel to the dogs
and families affected by it. Education (as opposed to prohibitive legislation)
is necessary and helps to keep dog owners, the public and canine companions
safe; Banning, restricting and killing dogs that look a certain way is
ridiculously outdated, heartbreaking for many and a waste of public money. In
2017, we can and should be doing much better for our canine friends, their
families, the public and those who work with dogs, including stray and rescue
dogs.'
