Today, I am sponsoring a community fundraiser by showing the award-winning documentary, The Champions. I’m looking forward to sharing the ground-breaking case and the work that has proved that bull breed dogs can be successfully rehabilitated and re-homed.
One of the things that the Vicktory dogs had in common with many dogs seized in enforcement matters is the long wait they endure in isolation kennels – and usually the dogs are destroyed once a conviction is secured.
Such is the case of Stella, a dog that was left in isolation without exercise for two years in the UK awaiting her owner’s day in court.
Stella the dog death row dog inside her 3ft x 9ft cage at the Foredowne Kennels in Kingskerswell, Devon. Stella was not exercised for two years. Photo courtesy of The Plymouth Herald
Stella’s owner used her to attack police and Stella paid the price by being labelled a dangerous dog.
The police have now given their blessing for Stella to be re-homed, after her previous owner relinquished all rights to her.
And they have defended their need to hold Stella in isolation, saying it’s the system’s fault…“Devon and Cornwall Police has on a number of occasions shared its concerns at the lengthy delay to cases, caused by legislation, the court system and on occasions the unfit owners surrounding the issue of dangerous dogs.”
You can read more about Stella’s case here, in The Herald. And in this previous item which put pressure on officials to address her living conditions.
There’s still much work to be done to ensure that dogs are not collateral damage in cases of cruelty and dangerous owners.
For Stella, at least, there seems to be a happy ending after a long wait.
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
A blight on New Zealand’s animal welfare record (not the first).
DoggyMom.com 