"FREE BRINDI" This dog must not be euthanized!

Public safety is an important responsibility of local government, as is the judicious use of force.  In Halifax, Nova Scotia, animal control authorities customarily employ pre-emptive euthanization, a needless and injurious loss of life.  

Brindi, a 5-year old mixed breed dog, has never bitten a person or seriously injured another dog. She is friendly and calm around people and likes the vast majority of dogs she meets. Found abandoned with 5 puppies, she waited 2 years in a shelter before owner Fracesca Rogier adopted her in 2007. Ms. Rogier had her microchipped, spayed and vaccinated. Brindi did very well in obedience class and obeys many commands. She loves her owner and is gentle and safe around infants, children and adults. She even lives peacefully with 2 cats.  

Brindi was charged with a total of three offences that were minor by any comparison. They happened when she accidentally got loose and ran up to dogs being walked along the road at her property line. Only the second offence resulted in an injury, a small tooth puncture requiring minimal vet care, for which Ms. Rogier voluntarily paid.  After this, the city issued a muzzle order. In Halifax By-Law A300, a muzzle order is one of six ways to deem a dog dangerous. The authorities construe this as a sanction for seizure and euthanization for any further violations. So, because she was not wearing her muzzle on the third offence, they seized her without warning four days later, even though the other dog was not grabbed or injured.

Brindi still remains incarcerated at the SPCA-run city pound, even though the Supreme Court quashed the euthanization order on January 16, 2009. HRM refuses to release her to her rightful owner, Francesca. She was allowed a brief visit with Brindi for the first and only time in late December 2008. This visit had to be held outside in the freezing cold and only lasted 25 minutes.  No further visits are permitted. 

This blanket imposition of the maximum penalty for minor offences is unjust. Halifax has already recognized that Brindi is not a threat to humans. It was informed by two respected trainers that her wayward behavior does not signify aggression and definitely can be corrected. Yet the city prefers to have her pay the ultimate price for human error, rather than accept reasonable alternatives that would both maintain safety and keep her alive.

Clearly, Brindi does not deserve to die. Furthermore, she contributes significantly to the health and well-being of her owner, Ms. Rogier, much as a seeing-eye dog helps the blind.  Ms. Rogier is desperate to have her precious dog back. She has already built fenced enclosures attached to her home entrances, engaged a private trainer and  offered to pay all fines and costs.

We strongly oppose the euthanization of Brindi. We appeal to HRM Animal Services and the City Council to accept Ms. Rogier's reasonable and responsible offer so that Brindi can go home immediately.

Public safety is an important responsibility of local government, as is the judicious use of force.  In Halifax, Nova Scotia, animal control authorities customarily employ pre-emptive euthanization, a needless and injurious loss of life.  

Brindi, a 5-year old mixed breed dog, has never bitten a person or seriously injured another dog. She is friendly and calm around people and likes the vast majority of dogs she meets. Found abandoned with 5 puppies, she waited 2 years in a shelter before owner Fracesca Rogier adopted her in 2007. Ms. Rogier had her microchipped, spayed and vaccinated. Brindi did very well in obedience class and obeys many commands. She loves her owner and is gentle and safe around infants, children and adults. She even lives peacefully with 2 cats.  

Brindi was charged with a total of three offences that were minor by any comparison. They happened when she accidentally got loose and ran up to dogs being walked along the road at her property line. Only the second offence resulted in an injury, a small tooth puncture requiring minimal vet care, for which Ms. Rogier voluntarily paid.  After this, the city issued a muzzle order. In Halifax By-Law A300, a muzzle order is one of six ways to deem a dog dangerous. The authorities construe this as a sanction for seizure and euthanization for any further violations. So, because she was not wearing her muzzle on the third offence, they seized her without warning four days later, even though the other dog was not grabbed or injured.

Brindi still remains incarcerated at the SPCA-run city pound, even though the Supreme Court quashed the euthanization order on January 16, 2009. HRM refuses to release her to her rightful owner, Francesca. She was allowed a brief visit with Brindi for the first and only time in late December 2008. This visit had to be held outside in the freezing cold and only lasted 25 minutes.  No further visits are permitted. 

This blanket imposition of the maximum penalty for minor offences is unjust. Halifax has already recognized that Brindi is not a threat to humans. It was informed by two respected trainers that her wayward behavior does not signify aggression and definitely can be corrected. Yet the city prefers to have her pay the ultimate price for human error, rather than accept reasonable alternatives that would both maintain safety and keep her alive.

Clearly, Brindi does not deserve to die. Furthermore, she contributes significantly to the health and well-being of her owner, Ms. Rogier, much as a seeing-eye dog helps the blind.  Ms. Rogier is desperate to have her precious dog back. She has already built fenced enclosures attached to her home entrances, engaged a private trainer and  offered to pay all fines and costs.

We strongly oppose the euthanization of Brindi. We appeal to HRM Animal Services and the City Council to accept Ms. Rogier's reasonable and responsible offer so that Brindi can go home immediately.