Top UK dog trainer weighs into Mr Bronx debate

Thursday 15 December 2016

Internationally-renowned dog trainer and star of hit TV show ‘It’s Me or the Dog’ Victoria Stilwell has rushed to the defence of “innocent dog” Mr Bronx – an apparently “dangerous breed” at the centre of a controversial 10-month court battle.

Mr Bronx, ruled by the Court to be a pitbull, was detained by Jersey Customs nearly a year ago when his family returned to Jersey by sea. His fate – either to be destroyed or allowed to return back to the family home with a licence – is currently under consideration by States officials.

Since his confiscation, a #SaveMrBronx Change.org petition has now garnered over 3,800 signatures, while hundreds of Islanders marched from Green Island to Harve des Pas in support of the hound last month. 

Questioning “When will the madness stop?”, Ms Stilwell – who has appeared on canine TV shows on Animal Planet, Channel 4 and CBS – lamented that Mr Bronx “has done absolutely nothing wrong, and is being judged exclusively based on his appearance.”

“We must make it known to the Jersey authorities that we will not stop fighting for his freedom,” she wrote.

The post has received over 550 likes, and has been shared 161 times to date.

She is the second famous face to lend her voice to the protest, after ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ actor Anthony Head tweeted a link to the petition.

Please sign the petition and RT https://t.co/btZtr9TJPf

— Anthony Stewart Head (@AnthonySHead) November 23, 2016

Assistant Minister Deirdre Mezbourian, who is responsible for Customs, is currently considering a decision based on Customs and Environment Department evidence.

In the States yesterday, the Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst suggested a decision will be made before Christmas:

"I have absolute confidence in the work that the Assistant Minister for Home Affairs is doing in this regard, and she is hoping to find a way through which will give comfort; but she's got to be mindful as well about protection for those who might encounter any dangerous animal, in this case a dangerous dog, she will take appropriate consideration and take appropriate advice, and I know there will be a satisfactory outcome...I understand it will be shortly, and I expect that to be before Christmas."