Great Britain is an enlightened nation in many ways. It abolished slavery in 1833, three decades before the United States — and without a bloody civil war. But when it comes to man’s best friend, the British adhere to outdated, ignorant and inhumane practices.
Last week, a mutt named Lennox was put to death by authorities in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A dog warden with a tape measure declared it a “pit bull.” In reality, the 7-year-old bulldog/Labrador mixed breed was a victim of prejudice and stubbornness.
Britain passed its Dangerous Dog Act in 1991, in response to incidents involving aggressive, uncontrolled dogs. Rather than target the real problem — the acts of irresponsible owners of dogs of any breed — lawmakers banned ownership of most dogs that fit the “pit bull” type…