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Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has today announced her proposals for new dog control measures to go out for consultation, subject to Executive approval: NI Executive News No new news on Bruce in the meantime. Amanda x

Welcome back home to your family Murphy

It looks like the case is set to go back to court and the date for that hearing will be set in approx. two weeks time, the legal issues are complex-so not going to have a go at explaining and get it wrong Bruce remains in kennels. Amanda x

Please send positive thoughts for Bruce tomorrow-Monday 14th September, his case is being heard. Amanda x

Good news for Meesha

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8209106.stm I couldn't get the box up to add the link, but here it is today on BBC News. Amanda

This case is now confirmed as going to the Court of Appeal. The hearing is scheduled for 14th September. Amanda x

The link for the video has changed as it had to be re-uploaded: Video Amanda x

Eighteen Years: Dangerous Dogs Act Anniversary- please write to your MP and Defra Amanda x

Happy 18th Birthday: Happy Anniversary to the Dangerous Dogs Act, please take a look at the video and please, please, if you haven’t already done so, write to your own Member of Parliament-the fight is in Westminster that is where we can repeal BSL if enough people stand up against it. If we give up we may well have another eighteen years of needless killing of innocent dogs. DDA Video from DDA Watch: Eighteen years of the Dangerous Dogs Act: 18 years ago today the Dangerous Dogs Act was passed through Parliament. The Bill was pushed through commons in just one day . It then proceeded to Lords, back to Commons and received Royal Assent in less than two months from start to finish. A little over two weeks from Royal assent, on the 12th August 1991, the Dangerous Dogs Act come into force. To give some idea of just how quickly this bill was rushed in, the most recent equivalent is a mere amendment rather than a new bill, currently being suggested by Angela Smith . This received its first reading in commons on the 1st June 2009. Its second reading will not be until October 16th 2009, more time than it took to bring in the draconian DDA. So here we are 18 years later. Dog attacks are all but non existent, dog fighting has been eradicated as there are no more pit bull type dogs around and all is well with the world. … right? Of course not but it seems unlike most of us, Defra is still in the half conscious slumber its been in for the last 18 years, seemingly, neither caring nor even commenting on its bizarre instance to continue with a piece of legislation that has failed in the most horrific way. 16 years after the act came into force a child died from injuries sustained during an attack from a “pit bull type”. The law failed to protect her too. Now Defra trot out the same phrases about the need for enforcement, the systematic rounding up of dogs who measure up in inches regardless of the temperament of the dog. Defra and co seem to think we are stupid. We have had four fatalities in recent years and the link isn’t the breed or cross of the dog, it’s the ownership. Each and every time an error was made, a human error. Our response to that error is to to round up and kill the dog. We are human, we make mistakes but the one thing that is meant to make us the most superior species is our ability to process that error and learn from it. Defra refuse to do this. The Met police are hitting many festivals and carnivals in London again this year. They are likely to seize over 1000 dogs by the end of this year. Its looking to cost around 2 million pounds of tax payers money. They aren’t the only ones doing the killing. Dogs are dying in the care of those who swore to protect, hidden behind a wall of silence. All because of a law that does not work , can never work and the authorities and other organisations refusal to do anything about it. Unless you, the reader, speak up, we can look forward to another 18 years.

Vigil Part Four: You Tube Video Amanda x

Please Crosspost: News 30th July 09 Candle-Lit Vigils Held Across the Globe Send Clear Message: Thursday, July 23rd will remain a day to remember as thousands of people came together to participate in a unique worldwide candle lit vigil & anti-bsl campaigners gathered in central London, New York City, Dublin and Seattle to support the pet dog known as Bruce who has been imprisoned for nearly two years and condemned to die under draconian breed specific legislation in Northern Ireland. People of all ages from across the globe paused in their homes and work places to light a candle, to reflect, to remember and to support a dog, a dog who is miles away, a dog that they have never met, a dog who has captured attention as a dog who is sentenced to be killed via lethal injection but has not put a paw wrong, a dog who is representing thousands of nameless pets just like him, pets who have been persecuted for eighteen years and put to death by a law no one supports, a law which rips apart families, a mad law that disgracefully United Kingdom residents are still blighted with. Running alongside the candle lit vigil, events were organised in central London, New York, Dublin and Seattle, despite the rain, people made their way travelling to show their support, standing united against injustice with their families and their dogs. In central London dog owners gathered peacefully outside the Northern Ireland Office between 9pm and 10pm. The pavement and front of the building soon filled up with banners, flowers and candles and the message was clear Let Bruce Live as we are not giving up on him and repeal this cruel law that exterminates dogs based on their appearance. Supporters quietly lined up and laid a flower amongst the candles flickering In the dark in memory of dogs just like Bruce, older pets and others just puppies who have all suffered and had their lives ended under the Dangerous Dogs Act, they were remembered, the nameless voiceless casualties who pay with their lives for our failures were remembered. Happily mingling amongst the crowd was a registered dog named Bishop, just 3 years of age and limping having endured nine months in kennels awaiting his fate, muzzled and branded with a huge tattoo under the law, he couldnt get his tongue out to lick everyone as this was his main mission, but he did manage to have his belly repeatedly rubbed and took his own flower attached to his collar to lay alongside the rest. Vigil photographs began to arrive en masse as people took part and made their own record; they have been collated and can be seen online in three parts (part four is currently in the making). A truly remarkable day had unfolded, with some of us thinking how would It feel if it was our precious dog that was forcibly taken away, our dog living in a concrete cell, our dog branded as dangerous or with his tail cut away due to infection, with some already aware having experienced it first hand. Bruce has captured the hearts of many as he epitomises a wider issue that has been sizzling away for some time: a law which is so desperately in need of repeal. Thursday marked the 673rd night in kennels for Bruce, locked away and unaware that some humans do care, havent given up and are trying to help save him and end the misery that is breed specific legislation. All eyes remain focused on Northern Ireland, the politicians have the power to stand up and end this ridiculous law throughout the UK, in the meantime Bruce waits a further legal hearing and a second wave of letters and complaints are being planned as the message is clear - where there is life there is hope. END BSL. London Vigil: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86ayzyR_flE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhMET8EiBe0 Layers of Flowers London - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6KLLkTsLWM&feature=related New York City Vigil - Worldwide Candle-Lit Vigil: Part One - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11UmAeG46ZE Part Two - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsWmoxyYMRE Part Three - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePeUyFCNPuA&feature=related For Further Information Please Contact: DDA Watch [email protected] Endangered Dogs Defence & Rescue [email protected]

BBC Radio Interview about Bruce, BSL and Dangerous Dogs Act BBC Radio link Amanda x

Worldwide Vigil for Bruce - part three: You tube Amanda x

here is little shot of video from westminster last night: more to follow:-) Amanda x

Lots of photos coming in, from all over! Fantastic for Bruce Amanda x

Dear Amanda, I have recently been made aware of the plight of Bruce and his family. I am appalled at the conditions in which Bruce has been kept that you outline in your email. This shows the urgency of the need to update our animal welfare legislation which has been in place since 1972. This type of treatment should not be permissible by law, nor would it be permissible in the rest of the UK. However Bruce should never have been in this position in the first place. Where we find aggression in dogs we should be finding fault with the owners as no breed of dog is inherently aggressive. Many are trained to be violent while others become that way due to mistreatment and we should be punishing the owners not the blameless dog. It is clear that Bruce is not an aggressive dog and that he has responsible owners who have clearly cared for him and that in his case no action should have been taken against him or his family. I hope that common sense prevails in this case and if I can help in any way please do not hesitate to contact me. Animal Wlefare Spokesperson Green Party in Northern Ireland

my screen goes all wonky in here at least MP Gale is going to try, worth folowing up Ange, that's the standard letter they've been sending out, do no harm sending the Amendment news and asking more question... not sure who is about during the summer break or how long it lasts? The BVA have been sending out replies today too, i hope they had lots to send! Amanda x

Please vote in the online poll - Should Bruce be free? The organisers will send the results to the various MPs to help. The poll is on the left-hand side menu at Online Poll-Bruce Amanda

Received today: Tonight at 8 a big group of Reiki healers around the world, are sending Reiki to Bruce and his situation. Even if you are not a Reiki healer, please join in by sending your love and thoughts to him or with prayers that he finds a loving forever home soon. Thank you xxx

Best Friends-Bruce Amanda x

Please cross post: Candle Lit Vigil - Bruce: A world-wide candle lit vigil is being held for Bruce on Thursday 23rd July 2009. Everyone can take part-in your home, your town showing your support, standing united for death row dog Bruce who will on that day have been imprisoned for agonizing six hundred and seventy three days. Here's how it works: What is needed: 1) A candle 2) A sign saying 'Save Bruce' 'Let Bruce Live' or similiar and location (county/state/ country) 3) A camera What to do: 1) Persuade, cajole, bully, bribe and threaten as many people as possible to join in the photograph. 2) Take photograph 3) Upload photo and email it to [email protected]. What happens then? 1) On Friday 24th July the pictures will be published across the Internet 2) A press release will be issued by DDAWatch. 3) A new video will be released with the pictures included. Points to remember: 1) Make the sign big, clear and central 2) It's a sombre purpose so big, cheesy smiles are probably not needed. 3) If you are under 16 then please make sure that a parent gives permission and is in the photograph too. Join Our Call to "paws" "Paws" for a moment of silence and join us in lighting a candle in honor, support and recognition of our beautiful canine friend, "Bruce", an innocent victim and pawn of Northern Ireland's Breed Specific Legislation law. We can not do many things for Bruce as he still sits - just under 2 years - caged, isolated, and physically neglected at the hands of a government agency. These laws were enacted to decrease harm to its' citizens but is now causing harm to many dogs, including Bruce, and their families. We can not break him free. We can not ease his confusion and sadness of being taken from the only home he has ever known. We can not relieve his suffering, and the pain that he continues to endure, nor can we replace his once-beautiful and healthy tail, now amputated from this government's abuse and neglect. What we can do is pause "paws" for a moment of silence and light our flame in honor of "Bruce", in support of his steadfast-unwavering courage, continuing trust and devotion, and in recognition of his undeniable "spirit", that continues to touch the world. We can "paws" to honor all of our canine friends and their families around the world who have lost their lives to Breed Specific Legislation and Dangerous Dog Act Laws, this criminal - breed genocide law, and vow to make a change, worldwide, one goal, one purpose, uniting us all in solidarity to repeal this law of inhumanity. On Thursday, July 23rd 2009 at dusk in your part of the world, with your beloved pets safe at your side, light a candle and "paws" for this powerful moment of silence in honor, in support, and in recognition for all of us fighting to "Bring Bruce Home" uniting to make a change for "Bruce" and the many lives already lost--so that they did not die in vain. Capture the moment with a digital photograph or video and please send to: [email protected] and/or Facebook-Events (Bruce-PAWS) so that we may record this historical moment in our fight for justice and publish these touching moments for the world to see.

Please crosspost: NEW YORK DEMONSTRATION - NY SPEAKS OUT AGAINST BSL AND SUPPORTS "BRING BRUCE HOME" CAMPAIGN Please join us in New York City on July 23rd to support the "Bring Bruce Home" campaign, a peaceful demonstration of protest and enlightenment. We will also be fighting the BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) ordinance that the New York Housing Authority enacted last month, which banned many different breeds from it’s public housing. We want New York City to realize that we will not allow BSL to take the lives of our animals, and we will be armed with educational tools to spread awareness about these ignorant and vicious laws. Thousands around the world have heard of "Bruce", a young Staffordshire Bull Terrier rescued from a cardboard box off the streets of Northern Ireland. He once lived in peace with the only family he ever knew – but now lives caged in isolation - abused and neglected for the past 2 years at the hands of Northern Ireland's government. Bruce's tragedy is one of many sad tales of an innocent victim falling prey to the horrors of the Dangerous Dog Act and Breed Specific Legislation. According to the Dangerous Dogs Act in Northern Ireland, if a dog is found by the courts to be of a banned breed then it shall be destroyed. These dogs are sentenced to die based solely on their physical characteristics, not their deeds. Bruce was not judged on his gentle-loving manner, or for being a family pet and possessing a kind nature and beautiful soul. Bruce was scheduled to die on July 6th 2009, but was granted a last minute stay of execution. His life still hangs in the balance. After this news went public, there was a massive outpouring of compassionate citizens from all over the world dedicated and united in saving Bruce's life. His fight has touched thousands and now we are reaching out to touch even more. Bruce's family is alone, in terror, in pain, and in devastating silence. Please invite your family, friends and loved ones so that we can be a voice for the voiceless, and speak up for all of the lives lost due to Breed Specific Legislation and the Dangerous Dog Laws. We will demonstrate against what this law actually is - BREED GENOCIDE LAW. Be one among hundreds, if not thousands, who are ready and willing to stand up, to be seen, to be heard, and to make a change. We must be united in solidarity to repeal this law of inhumanity. After the demonstration, we will end the evening by lighting a candle and joining the rest of the world as we pause (paws) shoulder to shoulder, and heart to heart in recognition for all of us fighting to "Bring Bruce Home". We are uniting to make a change for Bruce and for all dogs – so that no other dog falls victim to senseless animal cruelty, and so that all dogs already victimized by this law did not die in vain. Meet us on Thursday July 23, 2009 at 6:00pm at the North entrance to Washington Square Park. We will be assembling in front of the arch, at 5th avenue and Waverly Pl. Directions: Take the A, B, C, D, E, F, or Q to the W. 4th St / Washington Square stop. Or take the R, W to the 8th St. stop. Or take the 6 train to the Astor Pl. stop. Please email Caroline at [email protected] or Amy at [email protected] or Julie at [email protected] if you have any questions. See also Facebook-Events for updates and news.

there info here: NCCR-Dog Bites Amanda x

our clicking fingers are wearing down fast Amanda x