Waterford police say it's a case of a dangerous dog — a pit bull being kept illegally within the township.
But a dog rescue group says it's a case of mistaken identity because the dog in question isn't a pit bull at all.
"Diggy is an American Bulldog and all of his paperwork says so," said Kristina Rinaldi, executive director of Detroit Dog Rescue, which rescued the dog from Detroit Animal Control and arranged for Dan Tillery of Waterford to adopt him. "Diggy is a great dog."
Tilllery and his pet lit up the internet this week with a beaming photo of the two of them, drawing national media attention because both man and dog appear to be smiling.
Waterford Police Chief Scott Underwood said in a statement today that his department had received several complaints about the animal in the past 24 hours. On Thursday afternoon, police officers visited Tillery's home to inspect the dog.
"Based on their observations, it was determined the dog was part pit bull/pit bull terrier," Underwood said.
Owning a pit bull in Waterford is an ordinance violation that can carry a $500 fine. Police didn't cite Tillery but told him he has until Monday to relocate the dog to another town.
Rinaldi said they hope to convince police that the animal's pedigree is that of a bulldog, which isn't prohibited under Waterford ordinance.
