The “SaveHank” hashtag is growing in popularity on Twitter – the #SaveHank hashtag refers to a family’s dog who was seized on July 14 in Belfast, Ireland. According to a Change.org petition created to help save Hank, a total of eight police officers and four dog wardens arrived to Hank’s owners’ home to seize the dog – the reason? He looks like a pit bull, which is considered to be a banned “breed.”
Hank’s owners, Joanne Meadows and Leonard Collins, believe that their dog is a Labrador retriever/English Staffordshire cross and in order to save their beloved companion, they are being forced to fight for his life in court.
Meadows and Collins are not the only people fighting for Hank’s life – celebrity dog trainer/behaviorist Victoria Stilwell has also expressed her anger over the seizure of Hank, and she has vowed to fly to Belfast to fight on his behalf if necessary, reported the Belfast Telegraph. Dermot O’Leary, a British broadcaster, has also taken to Twitter to fight for Hank. O’Leary recently Tweeted, “Hi all, have a read and sign please. X Belfast City Council: Save Hank @belfastcc – Sign the Petition!”
To date, over 270,000 people have signed the petition to spare Hank’s life. Signatures and high profile celebrity support may not be enough to save Hank’s life however. In 2012, Lennox,another seized “pit bull type” of dog, was killed because of the breed-specific legislation which is in place in Belfast – the battle to save Lennox’s life went on for two years and Lennox had widespread support from around the world.
Click here to find the petition created for Hank. Click here to follow the Save Hank Facebook page.
(Photos Save Hank Facebook page)
So glad you have highlighted Hank’s case, Penny. I wish we could repeal these heinous laws in the UK.
Everyone, please share this article and sign the petition.
This isn’t surprising after what they did to Lennox a few years back. This is just so unfair and horrible!
let the dog be.the dog is a 4;egged kid wearing fur.
Give Hank back to his family
This is just absurd. Here is a sweet creature who was known as the “Nannie Dog” for years. They are loving and loyal. There is NO EXCUSE for this!
I’m happy to see so many people rallying for Hank. I hope it can save him. We know it didn’t save Lennox. What a stinking shame the powers that be can’t understand it is the individual dog, not the breed that should be evaluated.
Save this fur fur baby please things are redicules with the people all over so please save Hank ?
Thats ridiculous. If the dog is not wandering the streets or out of the yard attacking anyone why on earth do people and police believe they have a right to murder him? In a modern society it sounds like we are going back in history where people were murdered because of their heritage. Its ridiculous. The dog has done nothing wrong. Fear mongers at work again. Let the dog be.
Hank has been returned to his family.