FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brindi Free to Go Home
HRM Mayor and Council: “By-Law A300 is dead, long live Brindi!”
HALIFAX, NS (April 1, 2010) In a surprise but long-awaited move, Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly announced today that he and the HRM Council voted to rescind By-Law A300 Respecting Animals. Flaws in the by-law have plagued the city fathers ever since it was passed into law exactly two years ago today. With today’s announcement, the by-law is now repealed retroactively, opening the way for Brindi, a mixed-breed dog belonging to a woman in East Chezzetcook, to be sent home.
Asked if the mountains of cards, emails, and gifts sent to him from all over the world on behalf of the dog influenced the sudden decision, Mayor Kelly declined to comment. However, he did say he was looking forward to the phones quieting down.
“We just looked at the situation objectively, and once we saw how bad the law is fouled up and that it needs rewriting from scratch, it became clear that Brindi and her owner, Francesca Rogier, shouldn’t have to suffer for it,” explained Kelly. He added that a new law was already in the works and would be in place within the month.
David Hendsbee, longtime Brindi champion, said he was delighted the ordeal was over, and hoped that Brindi and Ms. Rogier would be able to recover and “get back to a normal life. There's just no sense in continuing this nonsense. I am very proud of the Council for reaching this decision."
Brindi’s owner could not be reached for comment, but all indications are that she is overjoyed at the news - or would be, as we all would, if it were only true.
