MAY 26, 2016: If you are on this post you are likely looking for a “done for you fill in the blank email form” — that sends a letter to elected officials and others who can bring about change — so that the death of Heiniu is not in vain. (SCROLL DOWN – SEE THE ‘CALL TO ACTION’)

You likely already know…

A neighbourhood in shock is demanding answers after a lost Rottweiler  died during an interaction with Aurora Animal Services on May 4th, 2026.

What began as a routine call to pick up two stray dogs ended in a scene witnesses describe as traumatic and deeply disturbing.  Earlier in the day, reports were made about two dogs running at large. Community members were able to safely secure both dogs on private property.

Witnesses state the dogs were friendly, calm, leashed, provided water, and showed no obvious signs of aggression while waiting for Animal Services to arrive. (Video available here shows the same.)

When Animal Services attended, one officer loaded the German Shorthaired Pointer into a truck enclosure. Witnesses report that after the dogs were separated, the Rottweiler, named Heiniu became visibly distressed.

Witnesses who are willing to go on the record – allege that what followed was an approximately two-hour struggle involving catch poles with “metal noose-like” restraints while numerous bystanders pleaded with Animal Control officers to stop.

Several witnesses report observing the dog in severe distress, struggling intensely for a prolonged period. Heiniu’s body was transported to an emergency vet clinic by Animal Control/Services officers and the initial vet report states: “Lacerations around neck from leash being imbedded into skin”.  Again, the ‘leashed’ used by Animal Control officers were metal ‘nooses’ on the ends of two catch poles.

The incident ended with the death of Heiniu, a Rottweiler.

This was not an accident.

More details here.

SCROLL DOWN to send a done-for-you email.

 1. Fill out the form BELOW.

2. Click “SEND EMAIL”.

A pre-written email appears. You can send it as-is or personalize it if you wish.

Your own email program opens with the message addressed to those who can bring about change.

You simply press send within your regular email program.

——–

IF you live in Ontario and you include your postal code the system also sends a copy to your MPP.

———-

IF the form does not work for you — you can always scroll down further on the page for a “copy and paste” version of the letter and the email addresses to send it to.

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express serious concern regarding the death of Heiniu, a lost Rottweiler who died during an interaction with Aurora Animal Services on May 4, 2026, in East Gwillimbury, Ontario.

Based on witness accounts, video footage, and the fatal outcome of this incident, there are urgent public concerns regarding animal handling practices, officer training, restraint methods, escalation procedures, and oversight.

Two experienced Animal Control professionals, including one with more than 20 years of field experience, have reviewed the reported circumstances and stated that, in their professional opinion, this incident appears consistent with handler error.

Concerns surrounding this incident have also been echoed by Dr. Dilworth — a veterinarian with 25 years of experience working with fearful, aggressive, rescued, and large animals.

“There is no sensible explanation for why a dog dies at the hands of two catchpoles.”

Dr. Dilworth further stated that in all his years working with animals, including wildlife and large dogs, he has “never witnessed, once in my life, an animal dying from restraint by a professional.”

Canadians should be aware that animal cruelty is not addressed solely under provincial animal welfare legislation.

The Criminal Code of Canada contains specific provisions relating to unnecessary pain, suffering, injury, and neglect involving animals, including sections 445.1 and 446.

Given the witness accounts describing prolonged distress, respiratory compromise, and the fatal outcome in this case, I believe it is both reasonable and necessary for appropriate law enforcement authorities to assess whether the circumstances surrounding Heiniu’s death warrant review under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Given the seriousness of this matter, I am requesting the following actions:

1. Immediate reassignment of the two involved officers from active field duties pending investigation.

2. A fully independent external investigation into the death of Heiniu, conducted by an agency or authority outside of York Region.

3. Independent review by appropriate law enforcement authorities as to whether the circumstances surrounding Heiniu’s death meet the threshold for potential offences under sections 445.1 and/or 446 of the Criminal Code of Canada.

4. Immediate preservation of all records, reports, communications, recordings, photographs, and documentation related to this incident.

5. Full review of Aurora Animal Services animal handling procedures, restraint practices, training, and escalation protocols.

6. Public release of investigation findings, recommendations, and any corrective actions taken.

A dog is dead. A family is grieving. Community members report being deeply shaken by what they witnessed.

This matter requires transparency, accountability, and meaningful review to ensure an incident like this never happens again.

Sincerely,

Tom Mrakas – Mayor of Aurora
Email: tmrakas@aurora.ca
Phone: 905-726-4746

York Regional Police
Email: 775@yrp.ca
Non-Emergency line:  Call 1 (866) 876-5423

Melanie Milczynski – Provincial Animal Welfare Services
Email: Melanie.Milczynski@ontario.ca
Phone: 416-433-3540

Dan Kuzmyk – York Region Solicitor General
Email: Dan.Kuzmyk@york.ca

Doug Downey – Attorney General of Ontario
Email: attorneygeneral@ontario.ca

Michael Kerzner – Solicitor General of Ontario
Email: Minister.solgen@ontario.ca
Phone: 416-326-5000

Premier Doug Ford – Premier of Ontario
Email: premier@ontario.ca

———-

VirtualCrownNewmarket@ontario.ca

While we push for accountability, we’re also working to save lives — currently raising funds to support a group of draft cross horses in Ontario who would otherwise have gone to slaughter.  AND to save 4 horses in New Brunswick from being sold to a kill buyer.  Every dollar raised this month will go towards those two projects.

Every year thousands of horses are routinely slaughtered in Canada, for human consumption, but you can help us ban horse slaughter in Canada and beyond.

Some of the meat is consumed in Canada, and much of it is shipped to the European Union, and other markets, including Japan.

This barbaric practice is currently not legal in the United States, so horses from the United States are shipped to Canada, and to Mexico, to be slaughtered.

In addition Canada allows for the transportation of live horses to Japan to be slaughtered for human consumption, and unfortunately the transportation of horses destined for slaughter within Canada, and by air to Japan for slaughter, is far from humane.

LEARN MORE HERE <==

We are 100% volunteer & crowdfunded.

0% goes towards salaries. Yes, ZERO.