Bronx is a three-year-old Rottweiler mix that, after a series of incidents, now lives at Victoria Animal Control Services building, his home since March.
Bronx killed a dog in 2018 and has a history of attacking other dogs and people.
The City of Victoria seized the Rottweiler following this attack and applied to have him put on death row.
Dog behaviourist Ken Griffiths, however, thinks there’s hope for Bronx.
“She’s what we call the alpha female matriarch.”
He wants to bring Bronx to the Comox Valley where Griffiths is known as the “dog whisperer.”
That is where he hopes to rehabilitate Bronx with help of his special weapons, 11-year old Malina, and Stella, the chihuahua.
“Whenever she is up and about all the other dogs have to respect her as a grandmother as that position. And she makes sure they do,” said Griffiths.
As of today, a provincial court judge has officially allowed Griffiths to assess the Rottweiler.
The rehabilitation process carried out by Griffiths is going to be filmed and given to the City of Victoria as proof that Bronx is a candidate for change.
These are difficult cases, but a lawyer specializing in animal rights says there is hope.
Rebeka Breder, an animal rights lawyer who represented Bronx’s former owner Rick Bonora in the court application, says these are difficult cases but in this instance, there is hope.
“Ultimately what matters in these cases and what matters in this case, is whether the dog in question, Bronx, specifically poses an unacceptable risk to the public. That is what the court will want to know.”
After an hour with Bronx, Griffiths emerges confident that the dog is about to get a new lease on life.
“I think today got me the evidence that I needed to show the judge in the court, and the City of Victoria and the people of Victoria, that he’s not a dangerous dog. He’s misunderstood.”
In a statement, Bill Eisenhauser with the City of Victoria wrote:
“At last week’s hearing, the City and the other parties reached a mutually agreed upon compromise with respect to the terms of Mr. Griffiths’ assessment of Bronx. The City is satisfied that the arrangements will maintain a safe work environment for Victoria Animal Control Services. The City looks forward to learning the results of Mr. Griffiths’ assessment. As previously stated, the City’s primary concern is public safety, and if it is possible to re-home the dog with adequate safety precautions in place, the City is open to exploring those options. Applications to the court regarding dangerous dogs is always the last resort for the City.”
A court hearing next week will determine whether or not Bronx will leave Victoria Animal Control Services and return home.
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Mary Griffin
