On the morning of Oct. 25, 2013, Axle and Paris escaped their backyard on Alberta Road, just east of Garden City Road, and wandered onto the townhouse construction site directly across the street from the family home.
There, they encountered construction worker Dustin Wang, who retreated inside when the larger of the two Rottweilers suddenly began to approach him.
Wang said the injury has healed completely, without leaving a scar. And that he did not want the dogs destroyed!
The Nijjers were originally told that the biting incident was serious, and that’s why the city sought the destruction order.
But it wasn’t until some time later, when the Nijjers learned the incident wasn’t serious at all, that they sought legal assistance, hiring former Richmond MP Joe Peschisolido’s law firm.
Prabjot Nijjer said she still doesn’t understand why the city doesn’t release Paris, much smaller compared to her 135-pound brother Axle, since she has never bitten anybody.She has not been allowed to see her dogs for two months but is forced to pay $25 a day to house them at the local SPCA.
Coun. Linda McPhail said that she’s asked for staff to supply council with information about the case.
She’d like to know more about how situations involving dangerous dogs, and destruction orders, are dealt with by the city, and specifically, who has the authority to seek a destruction order. She’s also wondering what options are available to council, and the steps that have already been taken.
The Nijjers are vowing to continue fighting for the lives of their pets, and a hearing date has been scheduled in April before a judge, who will listen to evidence from the city and the Nijjer family before deciding the dogs’ fate.
