Boy claims he was attacked by same dog that sparked recent outcry over Ontario’s pit bull ban

Thestar.com
Nov. 10, 2021
Irelyne Lavery and Betsy Powell

Toronto police are investigating after a dog impounded in Vaughan under suspicion he was a banned pit bull allegedly bit the face of a 13-year-old boy.

Muhammad Almutaz Alzghool says he was helping to tidy up after taekwondo class last Friday at Black Belt World on Bloor Street West, when he says his instructor urged him to approach the dog -- even though Muhammad said he was afraid.

“He told me ‘you need to overcome your fears and if you don’t, you’re never going to be a national champion,’” Muhammad told the Star.

Dwaeji, the one-year-old dog, is owned by the studio’s owner Tommy Chang and his family. Chang’s son Yohan was the instructor the day of the alleged incident, according to Muhammad.

Muhammad Almutaz Alzghool, 13, was allegedly bit in the face by a dog previously impounded under suspicion he was a pit bull.

The dog allegedly tore into the left side of the child’s face, now leaving him with around 20 stitches in his cheek and lip.

“I felt pressured to do it,” he said, noting his father, Muath Alzghool, ran into the studio as soon as he heard his son screaming.

“He was saying ‘your son is not going to die’ -- which meant he didn’t really care about me, he cared about the dog more,” Muhammad added.

Muath says he’s not opposed to animals, but said it’s “unacceptable to have one in a place where kids are practicing.”

Tommy Chang and his family were reunited with their dog Dwaeji after Vaughan Animal Services determined he was "lawfully releasable."

"I don’t want other Canadians to think I am against dogs,” he said. “I need to protect my son.”

Last week, Chang and his family were reunited with Dwaeji, after the dog spent two weeks in the custody of Vaughan Animal Services (VAS) while they determined whether or not he was a dog breed banned in Ontario. VAS seized the animal after Dwaeji disappeared from the family’s home in Woodbridge over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Chang insisted his pet was docile and incapable of harming anyone. He said the dog was a certified American Bully and not a banned pit bull, which Ontario outlawed in 2005 after a high-profile attack.

Chang mounted a social media campaign and held rallies to win his dog’s release, which prompted the provincial government to ease regulations so that dogs that look like prohibited breeds can be returned to their owners under certain conditions.

Leo Kinahan, a defence lawyer who represents Chang, confirmed the incident is under investigation by police and said that it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.

“Right now, I’m not in a position to say anything. However, I’m hopeful that in the near future the actual facts of what occurred in the unfortunate incident will actually come to light,” he said, adding Chang has and will continue to fully co-operate should the need arise.

Police are investigating claims that the dog that prompted Ontario's premier to loosen regulations related to pit bulls also attacked a 13-year-old boy at the owner's martial arts studio.

“Dwaeji is currently undergoing training at a facility outside of the GTA. He was recently held in what amounted to isolation for over three weeks and this process is in the best interests of all concerned,” he said.

Toronto police also confirmed the investigation into the dog attack and the City of Vaughan said animal services has received a report.

Although this is the first time the dog has visited inside the studio, Dwaeji also used to come to classes when they were held outdoors because of COVID-19 restrictions, Muhammad said.

“I’m going to find a different club to go to because there’s no way I’m coming back to that,” he said.