Rally organised over ‘archaic’ breed-specific legislation

A PROTEST against Northern Ireland’s controversial dog laws will take place next weekend — and Hank is expected to make a guest appearance.

The case has reopened the debate on our breed-specific legislation, which has been condemned as “flawed and archaic”. There was controversy in 2012 when another family pet, Lennox, was put down by Belfast City Council after being deemed a banned breed and dangerous.

Leonard Collins and Joanne Meadows have organised a protest at Stormont at 1pm next Sunday, August 7, to raise awareness of the issue. “We are going to have a rally regardless of the outcome with Hank,” Mr Collins said. “It will highlight the issues with breed-specific legislation.

“Hank will be there, all being well, with the restrictions the council has placed on him. This is an issue which goes beyond Hank. It has become an issue about the legislation as a whole. There is huge support for the legislation being re-examined.”

Yesterday Hank’s story featured in the Washington Post and French newspaper Le Monde.

The Save Hank petition was approaching 300,000 signatures last night. Among those to pledge their support were X Factor host Dermot O’Leary, boxer Carl Frampton and celebrity dog trainer Victoria Stilwell.

Meanwhile, the Save Hank Facebook page has reached almost 80,000 likes.