Judge Halts Euthanasia of Belgian Malinois, Giving Owner Days to Make Case
Major, a service dog, has been held at an Austin shelter for over 545 days after an incident where he bit a bystander.
A federal judge has granted a temporary reprieve for Major, a Belgian Malinois service dog, delaying his scheduled euthanasia and giving his owner, Shane Lilly, a limited window to argue for his release. Senior US District Judge David Alan Ezra issued the stay on September 29, ordering that the dog not be euthanized for at least 10 days as the court considers the case.
Major has been housed in an Austin animal shelter since March 31, 2025, accumulating over 545 days in confinement, separated from Lilly and prohibited from interaction with people and other animals. Lilly is actively campaigning to spare his dog's life, with a petition demanding Major's release garnering over 54,000 signatures.
Lilly maintains that Major, who has served as his loyal service animal, acted instinctively out of pain when he bit a bystander. The incident occurred in March 2025 when Major was struck by a pickup truck while walking with Lilly. In the immediate aftermath, as Lilly retrieved his phone, a bystander attempted to move the injured dog and was bitten.
Following the bite, city officials took Major to a shelter for observation due to potential rabies exposure. Subsequently, a municipal court authorized the dog's euthanasia, citing a danger to the public. Lilly appealed this decision, but his case was lost in February 2026. A subsequent appeal to the Texas Supreme Court in August also failed to overturn the euthanasia order.
Undeterred, Lilly initiated a federal lawsuit, asserting that the city did not adequately consider Major's status as a service animal or explore alternative solutions. He is seeking an independent, third-party assessment to determine Major's potential for rehabilitation and retraining for safe release. This request is part of a federal disability lawsuit filed against the city and three animal shelter employees.
Supporters of Major have organized protests outside the shelter and the courthouse, advocating for his freedom. The Change.org petition, urging that Major be spared, has accumulated 54,983 signatures as of Friday. Lilly implored the public to sign and share the petition, emphasizing the need to protect service animals from perceived unwarranted harm.