Dawgfather heading back into the ring

Former boxer plans to take on food service providers in bid to keep hot dog stand

The Dawgfather isn’t backing down without a fight.

The colourful hot-dog vendor, whose real name is Jerry Reddick, alleges that a Halifax Regional Municipality bylaw passed in September 2006 was directly aimed at him.

Under bylaw C-500, street vendors have to bid on sites to sell food or products. Reddick says he cannot compete with the deep pockets of food-service companies such as Sodexho and Aramark, and this will force him out of business.

Reddick is allowed to stay at his location on University Avenue outside the main entrance to Dalhousie University’s Student Union Building until the end of the year. Then, the site will be open for bidding.

He is planning to file a lawsuit against the city of Halifax. Despite repeated calls, officials of the city of Halifax could not be reached for comment.

Reddick argues the bylaw violates section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which bans discrimination and says everyone is equal. “It’s a slam dunk,” he says.

But Dalhousie law professor William Lahey says winning the lawsuit could be difficult. “Succeeding in a constitutional law challenge is not easy. There are a significant number that do not succeed.”

In order to prove that his Charter rights were violated, Lahey says Reddick will have to prove that “the law’s application to him in its intent or impact on him treats him differently on the grounds of section 15.” He will also need to prove that the law “violates his human dignity.”

Fighting back is nothing new for Reddick.

Long before he was the Dawgfather, his alias was Mack Truck. He was a professional boxer.

During his eight-year career, he fought out of Vancouver and amassed a record of 16 wins - 14 of them knockouts - and seven losses. Boxing took him around the world, to cities such as Amsterdam and Reno.

Standing five feet, ten inches and weighing 160 pounds, he had a shot at the Canadian middleweight title and another for the World Athletic Association light heavyweight title. He lost both fights.

He left the sport in 1987 because, he says, he had lost his enthusiasm. But he left with his mind intact, “I still had all my faculties. My IQ was still bigger than my biceps.”

He grew up in a Baptist household and converted to Islam in 1992 because Islam provides a “completely comprehensive way of life from the womb to the tomb. Everything is covered.”

In 1996, he moved back home to Halifax. He opened his first hot-dog stand in Uniacke Square in 1997. One year later, he set up shop at Dalhousie.

The Dawgfather is something of a legend on campus. There is even a Facebook group devoted to him, with about 1,220 members.

Second-year law student Darrell Smith is a fan. “I like his style a bit more than his food. He’s got class and he’s real friendly.”

Reddick loves his job because he gets to deal with his “shareholders” (customers) every day.

“They keep the Dawgfather charged up. That’s why I’ve got more game than X-Box 360. And my game ain’t produced in China, so you know it’s all good.”

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