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
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.