Councillors Pat Catney and Gary Hynds pictured with Max the dog at Nutts Corner dog kennels.
Lisburn City councillors have visited a ‘death row’ dog to ensure he is being well looked after amid an ongoing public campaign to save the puppy from being put down.
Suspected pitbull puppy, ‘Max’, was found in Dundonald in early December (2024) and is due to be put to sleep after two council dog wardens deemed he was a banned type under Breed Specific Legislation (BSL).
However, following a public outcry on social media to save the dog, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) will meet with the USPCA this week to discuss an independent third party assessor, who will determine Max’s fate.
Environment committee chairperson Pat Catney (SDLP) released a video to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) following his inspection of seven month old Max and his living conditions since December 9, 2024.
Cllr Catney said:
“I am down in Nutts Corner Boarding Kennels this morning (Jan 11). I have had a lot of emails in about the little puppy Max. I came down unannounced and I have to say I am very impressed at the way Max is being looked after.”
Deputy environment chairperson Gary Hynds also visited the kennels after his proposal for the council and USPCA to agree an independent third party assessor fell at a recent committee meeting.
An online petition, ‘Mercy for Max’, started just before Christmas, has gained over 12,000 signatures calling for the dog’s release amid a USPCA request to foster the dog out until an independent third party can asses the dog’s breed.
Members of the public on Facebook have questioned the living conditions for Max while others have accused the local authority of “playing God” in actions described as “death by tape measure”.
A council director, in chambers, has since poured cold water on the ability to foster Max out due to legislation on proscribed breeds of dogs.
The LDRS understands the original owner of Max has been contacted by the council, but has refused to take the microchipped pet back.
Cllr Catney added:
“The kennels have all been washed out and cleaned. The manager, had no problems bringing me in and showing me round the kennels. I have to say that all of the five principles for the maintenance and looking after little dogs and Max have been met. I am actually quite shocked at the cleanliness of the place.”
The five freedoms of animal welfare present a standard of care that is followed across the globe. Included in the UK government’s Animal Welfare Act 2006, they state that every living being deserves the right to humane treatment.
These include freedom from; (1) hunger and thirst, (2) discomfort, (3) pain, injury or disease, (4) fear and distress and (5) freedom to express normal behaviour.
VIDEO: Cllr Pat Catney at Nutts Corner dog kennels.
In 2012, Belfast City Council put down seven year old pitbull type dog, ‘Lennox’ despite almost 200k people signing a petition to save him.
The story went worldwide with the then Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson engaging on the animal’s behalf.
Lennox’s owner, Caroline Barnes was reported saying on the death of her pet, “the council was so determined to kill Lennox, that they wouldn’t even listen to the man responsible for running the country”.
According to the current nidirect government website, there are four breeds of dogs that are banned in Northern Ireland: Pit Bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasiliero.
It is an offence to breed, sell, offer for sale or make a gift of a dog of a banned type. If you are found guilty of any of these offences you face a sentence of up to six months imprisonment and a fine of £5,000.
A dog identified as banned by a dog warden will be presumed to be so, unless the owner can prove that it’s not banned in court.
In most cases, a court will order a dog seized as a banned breed to be put down, even where the council decides not to prosecute the owner.