An under fire Northern Ireland Council has relented to the demands of campaigners and will now allow for a completely independent assessment of a puppy currently being kept in kennels and awaiting a decision on euthanasia.
Lisburn and Castlereagh Council agreed at an urgent meeting on Monday night to allow for the further assessment of the seven month old dog, which they have declared a ‘pit bull type’ breed to be carried out as soon as possible.
It comes after hundreds of campaigners called for Max to be released, with the dog confirmed by experts as a French bulldog/staffy cross, to be released.
Max has been in the care of Lisburn and Castlereagh Council since December 10 when he was found abandoned in Dundonald.
A spokesperson for the council said: “The council continues to give careful consideration to the case of the abandoned dog, known as Max. Members attended an urgent meeting on Monday evening to discuss the latest position and next steps.
“We are continuing to engage closely with the USPCA and it has been agreed that a further assessment will be conducted by one of their recommended experts as soon as possible. Max remains safe and well and no further action is currently planned.”
The USPCA said last week that it was willing to explore a legal route to secure the future of Max, and other dogs like him, but they have welcomed the council decision.
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A spokesperson to the USPCA said: “We welcome the news that a further assessment by an independent third-party assessors as previously promised.
“We look forward to working with the Council to protect Max who has captured the hearts of so many.”
Last week USPCA CEO Nora Smith said: “The lack of consultation and failure to follow through on their public commitment to elected representatives to work with the USPCA is deeply disappointing.
“We are extremely frustrated by the Council’s actions despite their previous commitment to work with us. Max’s future should be determined by a transparent and impartial process of the highest standards that the public can trust.
“While the USPCA continues to offer its assistance to ensure Max is assessed fairly and in accordance with animal welfare standards, in an effort to resolve the situation, the charity is reluctantly taking legal action.”
An online petition calling for the an independent assessment and for Max to be released from kennels into foster care has now been signed by 13,350 people.
Campaigner Zara Duncan originally agreed to foster the dog over the Christmas period, and secured the offer of a permanent approved home, only to be told by council they had assessed the dog as a banned breed.
This was despite expert advice that the dog would need to be at least nine months old before any proper assessment could be carried out.
On Saturday almost 300 people turned out to a protest staged outside the council offices in Lisburn, in support of Max.
Ms Duncan used last weekend’s protest to call on the council for a fair assessment, adding: “As Max’s story grows it will be, for many people, the first time that the pain and cruelty of specific breed legislation will be coming to light in Northern Ireland.
“But the truth is that for years councils have been euthanising hundreds of dogs because of their physical appearance.
“Right now there are many more like Max sitting in council pounds waiting for the same fate – death.
“Regardless of the assessment outcome Max will always be an innocent dog in my eyes. Max is a mixed breed, with proven parentage from two perfectly legal breeds.”
Last week, the council re-assessed Max, despite an agreement with the USPCA to work with the charity on an independent assessment.
A spokesperson said that “an independent and highly experienced” had conducted an assessment on on Wednesday 15 January 2025.
“The outcome confirmed the results of the initial assessment and determined the dog as a Pit Bull Type,” the council added.
News Catch Up – Tuesday 21 January