The saying goes something like this: there are two sides to every story and the truth lies somewhere in between. So if you start there while you ponder about this worldwide response to a dog named Brindi, which is still impounded some 586 days after being seized from her owner, you can begin to peel back the onion and get to the truth people are reacting to.
And, as truth often is, it’s really quite simple:
Dog gets loose, doesn’t have her muzzle on and scuffles with another dog along the property line. Dog is seized and sentenced to death. Owner appeals to Supreme Court. Wins. City lays charges against owner, owner found guilty. Dog’s fate in limbo.
This is what people are reacting to. If you missed the true absurdity of this case, read that paragraph again; at it’s core lies the cold-hearted callousness of the city, which refuses to remediate this outside of court a year and a half ago, as well as the impassiveness of the mayor who ignores his own power to alleviate the pain and humiliation of this dog’s owner. This is what drives animal advocates, pet owners and people in general around the world to respond.
How blessed we are to know people who will not remain silent when they see something wrong. How telling that a group would do their homework on this case and see the merit in bringing worldwide attention to Halifax’s error.
It’s Friday and I would like to ask your help with a simple task. A homework of sorts.
Task: During the weekend speak to at least 10 people in your community about Brindi’s case. Share the facts, spread the absurdity of it all, and ask them to spread the news in their own personal circles. Discuss it with your friends, with the shopkeeper, at the gym, with your mates whilst out drinking… have the truth about Brindi and the Halifax City Government spread like a virus worldwide.
15 Comments to “Day 9. Brindi: The Naked Truth”
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Diane Symons says:
I work with animals. Number one a dangerous dog that is a danger to humans and other animals is NOT KEPT in a shelter for over 500 days. There is no room, we need the room for other animals to get them a home. Shelters are not jails. This dog sleeps under a helpers desk. Is exposed to other dogs in the shelter. This is not a dangerous dog. A dangerous dog and I have seen MANY will rip the pen it is in apart if it could it will attack anyone who comes close to it. It will cause upset to other animals. Brindi is NOT LIKE THAT and to me this is very unfair. GIVE BRINDI back to Francesca let Brindi go home. I am sure and I know that Brindi will be with a trainer not for meanness but to listen. And Francesca will always be there. End this NOW LET HIM HOME.
Marla says:
Reguardless, that dog deserves to be in a home, if he can't go to the owner, can he go to a relative of the owner. don't subject the dog to the mishaps of the owner.
HALIFAX,NS, CANADA: FREE BRINDI — The absurdity that could cost a dog her life and her owner her beloved companion « Second Chance Canines says:
[...] 2 hours ago Bravo Viktor! This goes to the very heart of the matter in a [...]
Sheila White says:
Viktor, I know people are planning a protest in Halifax. You would have a better idea of the figures than I do. Each person who will stand on the street with a sign, will, in fact, be symbolic of (x) number of people who could not physically make it to the city. Perhaps the mayor and media should be made aware of that figure. I suspect that it is very large!
Patty says:
Wow am sure there's lies behind it. Also, am glad I don't live in Halifax cuz where I live; there are dogs everywhere. My dogs sometimes chase them away from their property or play with them even with no muzzles or leashes. If they took my dog away from me; i don't know what I will do next cuz she is my pride and joy. Hope they mayor pulls his brain out of his ass and think what's right and wrong. If the mayor have a dog of his own then he will get the whole idea only if he have feelings and brain. I dont beleive a word from the mayor as he said he can't comment and it's up to the court. over my dead body – he can put a stop to it. maybe he get the money from the taxpayers doing this. who knows?
Carl French says:
This exercise by the city of Halifax is a huge waste of tax payers dollars and you think that intelligent people would have the smarts to realize that there are more important issues to deal with than a dog who they think is a danger to society or whatever. What they don't realize is that Brindi is running their lives because they won't cut their losses and give him/her back to his rightful owner. It is almost like a person who smokes cigarettes and thinks s/he is a free person when in fact the cigarettes run his/her life. Get with the program Halifax. Give Brindi a new home. His own.
Day 9. Brindi: The Naked Truth « DJ Mutts & Sherry's Blog says:
[...] Day 9. Brindi: The Naked Truth. [...]
TrishMalkoff says:
Bravo Viktor! This goes to the very heart of the matter in a nutshell!
It was the City of Halifax that laid the charges against Ms Rougier in the first place, after losing their first attempt in the Supreme Court to kill Brindi, and therefore the City of Halifax, which brought this second case to court.
We all know from your awesome website, that people from around the world have been inundating the mayor’s office with calls, emails, faxes & petitions calling for the mayor to do the right and honorable thing, which is to return Brindi to her home. But his office has always replied with the same lame excuse, that the mayor has no jurisdiction over the courts.
However, as the Mayor of Halifax, he does have jurisdiction over his own city council, to instruct the withdrawal of the charges against Ms Rogier and in so doing, to strike the case from court. The question everyone should be asking him now, the question his councilors and his legal team should be asking him, the question he should be asking himself, is when is he going to align himself with the voices of his constituents, the voices of outraged animal lovers from across Canada and throughout the world, and exercise his authority to do so, and if not, why not?
If he persists with the same worn-out, lame excuse that to intervene would be breaking the law, then he should be asked why he has found it so very easy not to intervene whilst the City of Halifax has clearly broken the property laws by holding onto a constituent’s private property for 19 months to date, 16 months longer than the 3 months allowed by the law? I for one intend to call his office again today to ask these very questions, again!
Viktor, all of Brindi’s supporters owe you a debt of utmost thanks for the tireless work you have done for her and Francesca and we will win yet. Good people, please do what Viktor asks of you this weekend and if you live in Halifax, try to be at the court on the 9th of March to support Francesca. Bless everyone who has given of themselves to this cause.
Marcine says:
I faxed a letter to the mayor this morning and tried to email one to persuad, but he must have changed his email address because it was sent back saying that there was no such person at that address. I also emailed Andrea Macdonald and got a reply that she was out of the office until Monday. How convenient for her. I dont care, I will send it Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and I will keep sending it until she gets it.
Teresa Turner says:
Awesome Trish, I hope you don't mind me using parts of your response here to post and repost for Brindi?
sabine nowack says:
People wake up and fulfill this task, then we'll see laughs last!
Only 5 Days for save Brindi !
Jeramiedreyfuss says:
Halifax should be ashamed of themselves. I called the Mayor's office yesterday and was told that Brindi's fate is now in the courts and there is nothing the Mayor can do now. How ridiculous. What a waste of money and how cruel these officials have been to Francesca. I live in Idaho, USA and can tell you that my facebook friends would all be there if we could. I represent at least 500 people from around the world who think this is deplorable and needs to end with dog and owner reunited. Stop being such a cruel society. It;s bad enough with all the seal bashing, etc, that goes on there….stop breaking a woman and her dogs heart.
Monika Courtney says:
One of many attempts during the Brindi campaign… of course I never received a reply.
In a message dated 11/14/2009 4:42:19 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, writes:
Mr. Kelly,
Brindi’s fate has touched the world, as you know very well. Her story also reminds us as humans over and over that incarcerating an animal is wrong.
You might not agree with this nor make any attempt at wanting to let this poor dog go home. Whatever the reason, you are in a position where you could obtain or inspire changes for the better of your city in amending these pathetic bylaws that are dooming innocents from being dogs or suffering consequences of such inhumane dimensions.
I feel you could if you wanted. Right ? I know the politician’s games. What is so truly sad is that the very animal involved becomes a pawn in battles… if you put your mind into this animal’s perspective, just truly try it once… why is the city so keen on winning this game… it is just wrong Mr. Kelly.
Brindi is a dog caught in a system that does not work. Her life is being compromised. And you know her owner’s is as well. While so many in the world try to make a difference to save lives, to make the animal welfare system better, educate and teach others how we can protect them and save them… what is your city doing to help Brindi ?
I met Bill Bruce of Calgary, in Las Vegas, and was very impressed with his ideas and how he changed Calgary for the better. He is the Director of Animal & Bylaw Services, Chief Bylaw Enforcement Officer.His vision is moving the focus from enforcement to a broader goal of achieving and maintaining compliance with the city’s bylaws, using tools such as clear, understandable bylaws and policies, partnerships, conflict resolution techniques and public education to raise awareness and improve voluntary compliance. Bill believes that the municipality’s bylaws must reflect the standards of the community and that service should be delivered in partnership with communities, business groups, other agencies and city departments. In the animal services area, he has focused on creating a community of responsible pet owners in collaboration with all the groups involved with animals in the community. The goal are to reduce the number of aggressive incidents involving dogs, increase the return-to-owner rates for both dogs and cats, reduce the euthanasia and work toward becoming a No More Homeless Pets municipality.
He was a very impressive speaker and has inspired many. (www.calgary.ca/animalservices)
I also met Mike Arms of The Helen Woodward Animal Center in CA., he is another renown leader in this nation to save lives and teach compassion. He served 10 yrs. as District Manager of ASPCA New York and 20 yrs. as Director of operations for North Shore Animal League. Since he developed the IAMS Home 4 the Holidays adoption drive in San Diego in 1999, the campaign adopted out more than 3.5 million orphaned pets worldwide. Mike established the center’s Animal Center Educational Services program to teach “the business of saving lives” to shelters worldwide. They do FREE workshops and he touched all people with his charismatic personality and his high success rates. (www.animalcenter.org)
We must follow compassion and not use animals in power battles amongst us humans… I know you don’t want to hear anyone preaching to you, but deep down you ought to realize that Brindi has suffered enough – so did her owner.. if Brindi can be the very dog to create the changes needed to amend your bylaw, to improve the system that serves your city… then why don’t you let her ? She could be the precedent for a future affecting your city and it’s dog owners and their pets in a more positive way.
When minds get heated, egos are at work… and jobs need to be done… we all know. But we all must be not forgetting that an animal is truly a victim most often, when we put our agendas first instead of what is best for that very animal involved. I urge you to find it in your heart to let Brindi be that, an incentive for change –
let her go home or do whatever you can to leave the battleground concerning this sad case behind and look ahead and give this dog another few years of happiness in a home where she is loved.
When there is a will, there is a way – certainly she deserves to have people like you on her side after all she’s been put thru. To be a leader that earns recognition and respect, it takes more than what Brindi has received from you – The people I cc’ d in this email are such two renowned leaders, who make the welfare of animals their utmost priority, and a case that is in legal bounds such as Brindi, CAN have a happy ending, if just the very key players would ever decide too ALLOW this. While you may not have direct control over the bylaw, the council does. The council could redefine the definition of “dangerous” and create criteria for muzzles and implement a way for an appeal process… even in a COURT case. Priorities must prevail for the ones doomed by an ineffective bylaw. We have a responsibility to protect them.
The legal systems in our cities often truly ruin lives more than protect/serve them. They are not serving our communities, but inflict suffering and harm. Cities have to change and move away from this paranoid and useless philosophy of bylaws that do not work. I think Brindi’s case has truly shown your bylaws needs change.
You have sent confirmation of emails received to many of us… all the whilst this dog is incarcerated… paying a terrible price for what ? I hope Halifax would join other cities that show leadership based on compassion and class… it is time for Brindi to go home, Mr. Kelly. With all due respect, please consider this, start to be a voice to the others in charge and end the suffering for the parties involved. Changes can come from good intentions, for the sake of those with no voice whose fates are exploited by us humans in ways that cannot be imagined – Halifax is not truly a cruel city is it ?
I am asking you to find it in your heart to attempt making that change. We must move away from “reaction mode” … not stay behind the problem, having to clean up the mess after it happens… but get ahead of the problem, by handling things on the prevention and policy levels. There is a different approach to get ahead. Innovation and developing a strategic plan is due when a city wants to be the best it can be. A terrific model can be materialized… as it has been done in Calgary, for the future of the city, and for the future of the animals who live there.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Monika Courtney
http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2009/11/health-worries.html
VLarkhill says:
Many many thanks for your help Monika… from the heart.
Patricia Pridmore says:
i have called the mayor, was told he could not comment, was given a number of the da i believe, called 2x's talked with her and left my statement the second time. i have posted post for brandi on my website everytime i see it, i have ask all 500+ of my friends to sign petition, email/call mayor. what else can i do to help? when is the court date? i sure hope he lets brandi go home tomorrow, is it tomorrow?