| Britain sighs in relief as dog wins reprieve. Reuter's Newswires, November 22, 1995 LONDON (Reuter) - Pet-loving Britons sighed in relief Wednesday when Dempsey, a Pit Bull Terrier sentenced to death for not wearing a muzzle, was reprieved by the High Court. The family pet was the subject of a three-year legal tug-of-war that pitched animal lovers against a law aimed at protecting children from vicious dogs. The law, passed in response to public panic over a series of ferocious and highly publicised dog attacks, required all dogs of certain "aggressive" breeds to wear muzzles. The penalty for owners who failed to comply was death for the dog. But the case of Dempsey aroused a howl of indignation. The six-year-old bitch, described as a gentle and loving companion who slept on her owner's bed, became a nationwide symbol. "It seems to me that the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 bears all the hallmarks of an ill-thought-out piece of legislation, no doubt drafted in response to another pressure group", High Court Justice Richard Rougier said as he ruled in Dempsey's favor. There were scenes of joy outside the court after the ruling was passed. Among the supporters was Roger Gale, chairman of the all party animal welfare group in Parliament. "The most telling point made is that justice is more important than one harmless dog", he said. Dempsey's ordeal started in 1992, when a friend of her owner took her for a walk - muzzled up as the law required. The dog started to choke and the friend took off her muzzle. Police swooped in and Dempsey was ordered destroyed. The dog's plight drew worldwide calls of mercy, including one from French animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot, who offered Dempsey a home in France. The case went through the legal system - all the way up to the House of Lords, Britain's ultimate court, and then back down again to High Court Justice Rougier's court room. Although reprieved, Dempsey may still face a day in court, with her owner Dianne Fanneran present to plead for her. |
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