Dwaeji is freed: Dog beats pit-bull rap in Vaughan -- and his owner thanks Premier Doug Ford

Owner says Ford called him twice to express support

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 3, 2021
Betsy Powell

Tommy Chang and his family are thrilled to be reunited with their beloved dog after collecting him Monday from Vaughan Animal Services where he’s been held since Thanksgiving on suspicions he was a banned pit bull.

“He’s here with us, he’s just running around, he’s so happy,” the stuntman and martial artist said Monday hours after picking up Dwaeji.

Last month, the dog slipped out of the family’s Woodbridge home and was turned over to VAS. A Vaughan animal control officer told Chang that Dwaeji wouldn’t be released because he has the characteristics of dogs banned in Ontario, and that a DNA test would be conducted to determine its pedigree. A petition urging Dwaeji’s release gathered 80,000 signatures.

Depending on the DNA results, Chang was told the dog could be relocated to a foster home in another province, likely Quebec.

Chang provided documentation that Dwaeji is an American Bully, which is not prohibited in the province. He also mounted a social-media campaign, and staged a rally this past weekend at Yonge and Dundas Square that drew several hundred people.

He also retained defence lawyer Leo Kinahan, who put Vaughan officials on notice that “all avenues will be pursued” and the dispute could be headed for the courts.

On Monday, the VAS issued a statement that said it had followed the provincial guidelines under the Dog Owners’ Liability Act, which was amended in 2005 to include new banned breeds of dogs, such as pit bulls.

“Based on the work of this investigation, it has been determined that King-Kong Blu (also known as Dwaeji) can be lawfully released,” the City of Vaughan said in a news release. “This is a very happy ending. VAS took the appropriate steps under this provincial legislation, and we are pleased with the outcome.”

The release made no mention of the DNA test, and Chang says he heard nothing further about it.

He credits public pressure -- as well as Premier Doug Ford -- for Dwaeji’s return. He said Ford called him twice to express support and he’s convinced he was “helping behind the scenes. I think it’s important he be acknowledged.”

While the Changs are thrilled Dwaeji is home, they are vowing to continue to push the provincial government to change the legislation, which critics say is ineffective at protecting the public.

Kinahan said Monday he’s gratified that Vaughan “has finally seen the error of their ways. It took a little longer than we hoped for but it’s right outcome and we are grateful for that.”

The current law states that no owner should “possess or harbour” a pit bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, or “a dog that has an appearance and physical characteristics that are substantially similar” to those banned animals.

Ontario’s pit bull ban was controversially introduced by the then-Liberal government in 2005 following a series of high-profile attacks.

The provincial Tories said they were considering repealing the ban as recently as 2019.