Dempsey (dog)
Encyclopedia
Dempsey was a female American Pit Bull Terrier
who was the subject of a high-profile challenge to the British Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
. She was owned by Dianne Fanneran and lived in London
.
While being walked one evening in April 1992, muzzled and kept on a leash
in accordance with the law, she began acting sick and her muzzle was removed, allegedly to allow her to vomit.
Two passing police officers noted the unmuzzled dog, and charged the caretaker under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Three months later, at Ealing
Magistrates' Court
, Dempsey was ordered to be euthanised
for failing to be muzzled in a public place.
Appeals took three years before the Crown Court
, the High Court and the House of Lords
, during which time the media covered the story, leading activist Brigitte Bardot
offered the dog sanctuary at her home in France, to avoid British law.
The case was dismissed in November 1995 on a legal technicality
, as it emerged that Dempsey's owner, not involved in the original incident, was unaware the court hearing was taking place. This legal loophole meant the case was thrown out.
Dempsey was reprieved, and died at the age of 17 in 2003.
American Pit Bull Terrier
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized, solidly built, short haired dog whose early ancestors came from England and Ireland...
who was the subject of a high-profile challenge to the British Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that was introduced in response to various incidents of serious injury or death resulting from attacks by aggressive and uncontrolled dogs, particularly on children...
. She was owned by Dianne Fanneran and lived in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
While being walked one evening in April 1992, muzzled and kept on a leash
Leash
A leash is a rope or similar material attached to the neck or head of an animal for restraint or control...
in accordance with the law, she began acting sick and her muzzle was removed, allegedly to allow her to vomit.
Two passing police officers noted the unmuzzled dog, and charged the caretaker under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Three months later, at Ealing
Ealing
Ealing is a suburban area of west London, England and the administrative centre of the London Borough of Ealing. It is located west of Charing Cross and around from the City of London. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically a rural village...
Magistrates' Court
Magistrates' Court
A magistrates' court or court of petty sessions, formerly known as a police court, is the lowest level of court in England and Wales and many other common law jurisdictions...
, Dempsey was ordered to be euthanised
Animal euthanasia
Animal euthanasia is the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, an animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition. Euthanasia methods are designed to cause minimal pain and distress...
for failing to be muzzled in a public place.
Appeals took three years before the Crown Court
Crown Court
The Crown Court of England and Wales is, together with the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal, one of the constituent parts of the Senior Courts of England and Wales...
, the High Court and the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
, during which time the media covered the story, leading activist Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot is a French former fashion model, actress, singer and animal rights activist. She was one of the best-known sex-symbols of the 1960s.In her early life, Bardot was an aspiring ballet dancer...
offered the dog sanctuary at her home in France, to avoid British law.
The case was dismissed in November 1995 on a legal technicality
Legal technicality
The term legal technicality is a casual or colloquial phrase referring to a technical aspect of law. The phrase is not a term of art in the law; it has no exact meaning, nor does it have a legal definition. It implies that that strict adherence to the letter of the law has prevented the spirit of...
, as it emerged that Dempsey's owner, not involved in the original incident, was unaware the court hearing was taking place. This legal loophole meant the case was thrown out.
Dempsey was reprieved, and died at the age of 17 in 2003.