HEINIU WITNESS SPEAKS TO COUNCIL

JUNE 24, 2026: Bailey Lester addressed Aurora Town Council last night despite her request to do so being initially declined.

Councillor John Gallo put forth a motion to permit Ms. Lester to be a delegate and the vote to allow was passed. We are thankful to Mr. Gallo for supporting the public’s call for transparency and accountability when it comes to the death of Heiniu.

We find it interesting to note that General Counsel Patricia DeSario was NOT scheduled to give an update on the matter of Heiniu’s death and the promised investigation.

DeSario was called in literally at the 11th hour – at 11:00 PM — to counter Councillor Gallo’s motion.

Gallo confirmed publicly that DeSario only provided information in response to his motion. This leads us to believe that the Town was attempting to avoid providing an update.

Bailey Lester was clear that she believed Aurora Animal Services’ actions led to the death of this much loved dog. She also described the extreme trauma she experienced as an eye witness.

Bailey explained that she thought by calling Aurora Animal Services that she would able to get Heiniu reunited with his family.

Bailey felt that Animal Services were professionals and they would treat Heiniu humanely.

What transpired was the opposite.

Bailey stressed that at no time did Heiniu show any signs of aggression towards her, her mother or others present including children.

Based on Bailey’s written testimony Heiniu’s demeanour changed drastically when Animal Services’ officer Hailey MacGillivray abruptly — without warning — grabbed Heiniu by the neck – despite being warned by those in attendance not to.

If Officer MacGillivray was truly concerned about the public’s safety why did she drop the leash to go and retrieve her catch pole – which left Heiniu completely unsecured? If he was so dangerous why would Officer MacGillivray drop the leash?

IT IS OUR OPINION THAT…

Based on what we have come to find out about the so-called “unbiased” – so-called “independent” investigation being conducted by Canine Foundations — the investigation will NOT be either unbiased or independent.

We suspect that to be the case because, one of the lead investigators at Canine Foundations is known to support the Dog Owners’ Liability Act. (DOLA ACT).

The DOLA ACT has been highly criticized as a weaponization tool to unfairly punish dogs — especially those like Rottweilers that are considered ‘power breeds’.

We suspect, based on the hiring of Canine Foundations that…

Aurora intends to make Heiniu an aggressor and take legal action against Heiniu’s owners, Yang and Emma.

The DOLA ACT STATES that based on the following, legal actions may be taken against a dog owner:

a dog bit or attacked a person or another animal;

behaved in a way that threatened the safety of people or animals; or

the owner did not take reasonable steps to prevent those things from happening.