Ontario family distraught after puppy held by animal services for nearly two weeks because it may be a pit bull
A Toronto-area family is in disbelief after their 12-month-old puppy escaped from their home and was found by animal services—who now won't give the dog back because it may be a pit bull.
Tommy Chang told CTV News Toronto on Monday that their family got the puppy, who they named Dwaeji, during the pandemic while they were homeschooling their kids. His children say the dog is their best friend and is considered the youngest member of the family.
“It’s been horrible,” Chang said. “My wife has been literally crying day and night. My sons are completely devastated.”
Nearly two weeks ago, Dwaeji got out of the house through an open door and was picked up by Vaughan Animal Services (VAS).
While Chang was initially relieved to hear that Dwaeji was safe, he quickly became upset when the VAS refused to return the pup, insisting it has to conduct a DNA test first to determine if the animal is a pit bull.
Dwaeji is seen with two other dogs in this undated photograph provided to CTV News.
Chang said that he has provided documentation from two veterinarians, as well as the American Bully Kennel Club, stating the dog is not a pit bull.
“The dog has two ears, he has a round head, he has a tail and he has four legs and that’s pretty much where the similarity ends,” the family’s lawyer Leo Kinahan said. “It’s outrageous.”
Chang insists that their dog is an American Bully and is not aggressive.
“They're bred specifically for companion dogs,” Chang told Newstalk 1010 the following day. “I don’t think there are bad dogs out there, just bad owners.”
Vaughan Animal Services told CTV News Toronto they could not comment on Chang’s case as the matter “is under investigation.”
“VAS and the entire city of Vaughan must follow the provincial law that bans the ownership of pit bulls,” they said in a statement.
Dwaeji is seen in this undated photograph provided to CTV News
Ontario’s Dog Owners Liability Act was amended in 2005 to ban the new ownership of pit bulls. The legislation also mandated that any animals already in the province be spayed or neutered.
A private members bill that would repeal the ban was introduced in November 2019 and has been in committee since.
If the VAS determines that the dog has pit bull DNA, they will rehome Dwaeji out of the province.
Kinahan says that most dogs have “a bit of another dog in them” and the result of the investigation may depend on how much percentage of pit bull is found, if any.
While the investigation is taking place, the Chang family is not allowed to visit Dwaeji. They are also being charged boarding fees for every day their puppy remains in the custody of Vaughan Animal Services.
Chang said their family is willing to use their life savings in order to get their dog back.
With files from CTV News Toronto's Janice Golding
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.