Diggy's Story: How One Viral Dog Photo Brought The Police To This Man's Door

The smiles that broke the Internet

It was June of 2016 when Dan Tillery and his girlfriend Megan were finally able to purchase their own home in Waterford Township, Michigan. Dan had spent years working hard as a musician and the ability to buy a house was a dream come true. 

However, their home was not a home and they knew something was missing: man's best friend. A dog was what Dan and Megan needed to really feel complete so shortly after moving in and settling they set out on a journey to adopt.

They had no clue what a tumultuous time was ahead of them as their hearts filled with optimism and joy seeking the perfect furry family member.

Dan the Man

As Dan would later report to Oakland Press, one of the perks for them buying a home was supposed to be the dog of their dreams:

My girlfriend and I have been wanting a dog forever, but the place we were renting would not allow dogs. We just recently purchased our first home. All ours. And dogs are allowed.

Dogs, sure... but not all dogs as Dan and Megan were soon to find out, the hard way.

The happy couple

It wasn't terribly long before Dan found the most adorable two-year-old American Bulldog at Detroit Dog Rescue. Sir Wiggleton was found lost and hungry, roaming the lonely streets of Detroit when he was taken in by the shelter. Sir Wiggleton had been living there for a soul-crushing 100 days, waiting for the day Dan came along.

And for both the spunky pup and the musician it was truly love at first sight... their destiny.

All spunk. Just check out those ears!

For Dan it only took one glance at one silly yet adorable picture of the pup. With his head cocked and his tongue hanging playfully from his mouth, Sir Wiggleton won Dan's heart and Dan didn't have to think twice.

He agreed to adopt the dog and decided to rename him Diggy and in that moment, everything seemed kosher and legal. Their family was happy and whole.

Diggy Dog!

After years of longing for a dog of his own, Dan was understandably so very excited to bring Diggy home. Diggy's enormous grin was genuine and heart-warming and the musician couldn't get enough of his new family member. He did what all of us do in this modern day and age: he began snapping photos and selfies with his happy new companion.

As one photo was exceptionally priceless and began to make rounds on social media... someone decided they needed to alert the police! That's right, a happy and smile-filled photo of a man and his dog led someone to notify authorities.

Love at first bork.

What on Earth could have prompted such a harsh reaction? The photo seemed so innocent and pleasant featuring the duo (Dan and Diggy) showing off their beaming smiles! If anything was radiating from the adorable photo is was happiness... new home, new family, and pure joy!

Dan wanted Detroit Dog Rescue to know how thankful he was for uniting Diggy with him so he shared the photo with the organization's Facebook page and commented the perks of adopting instead of shopping. Their happiness was a great example of how we can impact the lives of animals in shelters.

Happiness.

After merely a few brief days, Dan and Diggy the Dynamic Duo had won over the Internet. As the photo was featured on the Rescue's page it managed over 24,000 likes in just a single day! As with other photos that go viral it wasn't long before Dan began to get messages and calls flood in from various media outlets wanting to hear the story behind the smiles!

Of course in all their joy a darkness lurked in the shadows and it was ready to bring misery.

The viral post.

Captioned so perfectly, Detroit Dog Rescue said:

We know this photo is going to break the internet and we apologize, but we had to share. After almost 100 days in the shelter, Sir Wiggleton just got adopted. Sir Wiggleton and his new Dad are celebrating adoption day with huge smiles all around!

It's only understandable that Dan was totally thrilled about the notoriety that comes with going viral. If it meant reaching more people and encouraging adoption, it seemed like there was absolutely no downside in Dan's eyes. So a mere few days after the posting the photo it came as an unbelievable shock when the Waterford Police Department came to visit Dan with devastating news.

What do you see, pal?

Upon being notified and seeing the now viral photo, the officers told Dan that he had violated the Waterford's ban on owning pit bulls! According to the township pit bulls and any pit bull mixes were considered "dangerous breeds" and owning one was a punishable crime! As far as they were concerned, Diggy needed to return to the Detroit Dog Rescue... or else!

This is what pure joy looks like.

Dan was confused but convinced that the officers were just going to let him off with a warning because as far as he could tell, Diggy was simply not a dangerous dog. In fact, as he explained the officers had a pleasant experience meeting Diggy for themselves:

When they went to the gate [to] actually see him, he licked their face, was very kind. They said, we’re dog lovers, that’s cool, he seems like a good boy. Took some pictures of him.

After such a pleasant experience, who would think anything else?

He's a good boy.

But that was not the case. The officers wanted to write a ticket and even though Diggy's adoption papers clearly stated that he was not a pit bull, he was an American Bulldog, the officers weren't budging. In June, Lt. Todd Hasselbrach of the Waterford Township Police told The Detroit News that Diggy didn't pass "the eye test."

It looks like a pit to me. I'd write a ticket. 

Dan was told he had a mere three days to figure things out and say goodbye to his beloved new companion. Three days!

That face, though <3

Naturally some level of chaos ensued. There was a massive public outcry from animal rights activists but the police officers insisted that they were simply doing their jobs. Chief Scott Underwood of the Waterford Police explained to the Oakland Press that they don't make the rules, they only enforce them:

From our standpoint, it’s a pretty clear case of an ordinance that makes it clear what’s permissible and what’s not. Our job is to enforce the ordinance.

Doggo on fleek.

Dan was looking at impossible choices. He could pay a $500 ticket or even worse... he could end up in JAIL! Of course Diggy's viral photo was not done doing good word because it may have landed Dan and Diggy in hot water but it was also the perfect platform to rally thousands of followers to their aid. People were absolutely outraged that the police had the authority to destroy this new family and remove such a clearly sweet and happy dog from his rightful home. These same people were ready to help Dan in a counter-attack, so to speak.

Watermelon, nom nom nom.

Dan wasn't going down without a fight. His followers and supporters organized an online petition to "free Diggy," and Dan prepped himself for a formal hearing! He was kicking off a full-scale legal battle to keep his family intact. And it wasn't just about Diggy, both the petition and Dan's legal battle were tackling the big picture: demanding that the township dismantle the pit bull ban all together! This would allow Diggy to come back home and unite dogs with more families in their community.

Best buds forever.

Dan's first plan of defense was simple: Diggy is not a pit bull. He may look like one, but he is not.

Posting on-line, Dan said:

My lawyer and I are going to do everything possible to make sure Diggy stays in his home with us, his family. Thanks for all of your support, guys. I’m not a quitter.

He's just a good boy who wants to be loved.

Unfortunately, legal battles are never quick and easy so for months Diggy's status and future remained uncertain. During that time the petition gained over 100,000 signatures and even more impressive? A massive flush of Diggy's supporters overpowered a landmark town hall meeting in September! it was clear that Dan and Diggy had the support of the Internet and the community, but was that going to be enough to free Diggy and keep the family together?

One big happy family.

Director of the Detroit Dog Rescue, Kristina Rinaldi said:

People had really invested their emotions into this story, and it’s beautiful to see so many people care about rescue dog.

And finally after a very heated debate good news came in: charges were dismissed in the 51st District Court and Diggy and Dan were going to stay united!

In what can only be described as a landslide victory, not only did Diggy get to stay with Dan but the township changed the rules on the pit bull ban. No longer would police officers be able to eye-ball situations and determine a dog's status, only a veterinarian could determine a breed and that meant that a dog that looks like a pit bull but isn't a pit bull is to be determined by the professionals instead of potentially bias and uninformed officers.

In a celebratory post on Facebook, Dan shared his joy with all:

We get to keep our boy. He’s a good boy.

I love you.