A large dog was reported for being potentially “dangerous,” but when police arrived, they weren’t prepared to see what breed he actually is.
Dog owner Jamal Miah was walking his dog, named Kenzo when the enormous pup got himself into some trouble. The excitable dog doesn’t quite understand his size, so, when he got too close to an elderly woman walking her small dogs, he “accidentally knocked [her] over.”
As it were, Kenzo is no small Chihuahua, but rather, a Central Asian shepherd dog. The breed can be up to 27.5 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh as much as 110 pounds, according to the American Kennel Club, making Central Asian shepherd dogs incredibly strong and powerful.
Despite Kenzo’s size, Miah, from London, in the U.K., told Newsweek that his dog is “calm, friendly, and well socialized.” He doesn’t mean any harm, but his sheer size and weight means that accidents may occur.
“The police were called several times in the past, mostly because of Kenzo’s appearance,” Miah said. “While he meant no harm, some members of the public overreacted and demanded that he be put down.
“But Kenzo is truly a gentle giant. He used to get along well with other dogs until he was bitten by one—since then, he’s become quite defensive around unfamiliar dogs,” he continued.
Kenzo the Central Asian shepherd dog walks on the sidewalk after police were called out in 2024.
@jamalmiahomg / TikTok
Kenzo still gets along swimmingly with Miah’s other dog, Kane, however.
Following the incident in 2024, police officers arrived to find out what happened and take a statement.
Miah said they were “visibly shocked” by Kenzo’s size, but, after observing the dog, they “quickly saw that he had a very calm temperament and was well-behaved.”
Newsweek contacted Kent Police officials who said they were contacted after a woman “was injured after being approached by a larger dog” in February 2024.
A statement from Kent Police said: “The woman sustained minor injuries after falling to the ground. Officers attended and spoke to both dogs’ owners. Inquiries were completed and a 44-year-old man from the local area was issued with a community resolution, requiring him to apologize to the woman and no longer use a long lead, of which the woman was made aware.”
This advice is also recommended by the AKC; their experts said that the breed must be contained when exercising, such as a fenced yard or on a leash.
The breed is highly intelligent and independent, known for its fearlessness. Their natural protective instincts are second to none, which is why the AKC says Central Asian shepherd dogs are not for first-time dog owners.
Miah posted about the experience on TikTok (@jamalmiahomg) in 2024 and reposted the clip again earlier this year. The reposted video went viral with over 1.5 million views and more than 65,000 likes on TikTok at the time of writing.
The caption layered over the video reads, “Police visit dangerous dog Kenzo,” while showing the pup gently approaching the two officers.
The incident was a “difficult and stressful time” for Miah who felt a lot of negativity toward his dog’s breed. Even now, he believes that people judge Kenzo based on his size, without taking the time to see what his temperament is like.
“It felt like we were being publicly shamed for simply owning a large dog. Social media was especially harsh as we received a lot of negative attention,” Miah told Newsweek.
He continued: “I just want people to understand that it’s not the breed—it’s how you raise and handle the dog that matters. Kenzo is proof that with love, discipline, and proper training, even the most-powerful breeds can be calm, affectionate companions.”
After sharing the video on social media in April, the post has amassed over 1,700 comments online so far.
One comment reads: “Big dogs do look intimidating but that’s no reason to sentence them to this treatment.”
Another TikTok user wrote: “see what a difference a big dog is like in right hands.”
A third commenter added: “I have total respect for how this whole situation was handled. Kenzo is beautiful.”
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