Ken Griffiths can’t wait to finally get a chance to get his dog, Bronx — a three-year-old Rottweiler mix named Bronx — from Victoria’s Animal Control.
On Tuesday morning, B.C. provincial court judge Adrian Brooks released Bronx from what is known as canine death row after the City of Victoria applied to have him destroyed.
The application came after Bronx killed a dog in 2018 while living with his former owner. He then bit several dogs and people.
A month ago, a provincial court judge officially allowed Griffiths to assess the Rottweiler.
The rehabilitation process carried out by Griffiths was filmed and given to the City of Victoria in an attempt to prove that Bronx was a candidate for change.
“I’m probably going to start crying, I’ll tell you that,” Griffiths told CHEK News following the judge’s ruling.
WATCH: ‘Dog whisperer’ to assess condemned canine on death row
Lisa Warden, an animal advocate, worked for months towards Bronx’s release.
“It’s a fantastic day, fantastic for Bronx that the decision came on the side of redemption,” Warden said. “Second chances, and really the happiest possible outcome in light of the situation.”
She says the judge emphasized the need for animal control in the future to work with dogs and their guardians to resolve issues before they reach the court.
“Judge Brooks recognized when a court has to make a decision like this, it’s not only the bad things a dog has done that counts. The good things a dog has done counts,” said Warden.
Warden said that the city assessor also said, in court, that a dog’s past behavior is also critical.
“What the city’s assessor emphasized was that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. So past good behavior counts too.”
As far as his first night at home, Griffiths has plans for Bronx.
“I have 35 dogs at my house, them and my students are preparing for a big welcome home party.”
After a long walk, Bronx will be heading to his new home in the Comox Valley.
Mary Griffin
