Owner Refuses To Remove Rescue Dog From Waterford Township Home, Issued $500 Citation

WATERFORD (WWJ) - Internet sensation Diggy the dog will stay in his Waterford Township home, at least for the time being.

Monday was deadline day — owner Dan Tillery had to either get rid of the dog or leave the township.

Tillery decided to stay and was issued a citation — which carries a $500 fine — for his decision to keep Diggy at his home. He still contends that the rescue animal is an American bulldog, not a pit bull, which are banned in Waterford Township.

Tillery has agreed to the township's request to let another veterinarian make a determination on the dog's breed.

"The dog has been smiling and licking face since its existence here, so there's no real reason why someone would want it to not have a good home," Tillery said.

Diggy's story took the internet by storm when a photo of the two posted by the Detroit Dog Rescue went viral last week.

The photo also drew the eyes of officials in Waterford, who assumed Diggy was a pit bull.

On Thursday afternoon, just days after Diggy moved in, police showed up on Tillery's doorstep and asked to see the dog. Police told WWJ they received several complaints of a pit bull being housed at the home, which violates a city ordinance.

Tillery said he got a call about an hour later and was told, based on their visual inspection alone, the officers concluded Diggy was a pit bull.

The dog rescue is standing behind Tillery, who registered and obtained a proper license for Diggy shortly after he was adopted. The rescue and Tillery say Diggy is an American bulldog, not a pit bull, and they have supporting adoption papers from the City of Detroit Animal Control and Welfare and their veterinarian who all confirm the dog's breed.