When Major was hit by a car in March 2025, a bystander stopped to help the injured dog and was bitten. Austin Animal Control recommended euthanasia, and a court ordered that Major be put down.
According to Major’s owner, Shane Lilly, the woman declined to testify in person because she does not believe Major should be killed. The court did, however, consider her written affidavit and medical records. Major has since spent more than 500 days isolated in a shelter while Shane fought the order through four state courts. Shane testified that he has a seizure disorder and that Major assists him with seizure response.
City officials have cited the severity of the bites and concerns about Major’s behavior, while Shane argues that the circumstances of the incident and rehabilitation alternatives were not adequately considered.
After a Texas appellate court refused to pause the order on September 3, Shane started a petition asking officials to spare Major and calling for Texas law to more explicitly account for provocation, victim testimony and corroborating evidence. A federal court has since temporarily paused the euthanasia while Shane’s disability lawsuit against Austin moves forward, but the underlying order remains. More than 20,000 people have signed.
Petition link:
c.org/Pwf79pt7
#animals #dogs #FreeMajor
ALT A man with his dog in a rocky area, text overlay about a service dog possibly being euthanized.