Major has spent more than 545 days locked away from his family. Now, the clock to ever return him to his beloved owner is running out.
A federal judge once again halted the euthanasia of the 65-pound Belgian Malinois — giving Shane Lilly a precious few days to fight for the dog he loves, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
Senior US District Judge David Alan Ezra delayed Major’s euthanasia on Sept. 29 and said he would rule in 10 days as he weighs whether the dog can finally be released to Lilly.
“My beloved service animal, Major, faces an unjust death sentence that no animal deserves,” Lilly wrote in the petition demanding his dog be spared.
More than 54,000 people have signed it.
As the legal battle rages on, Major remains confined at an Austin animal shelter, where he has been held since March 31, 2025 — isolated from his family and barred from interacting with people and other dogs.
The extraordinary saga began in March 2025 when Major was struck by a white pickup truck while walking with Lilly on Felix Avenue in Austin.
In the frantic moments afterward, Lilly raced back home to grab his cellphone.
A well-meaning bystander attempted to lift the injured dog into a car, and Major bit her, according to the San Antonio Express News.
The city took the injured dog to a shelter for observation over possible rabies and later obtained a municipal court order authorizing his euthanasia, arguing that Major posed a danger to the public.
Lilly refused to give up.
He appealed and lost in February 2026, eventually taking his battle to the Texas Supreme Court in August.
But the state’s highest court declined to revive the case, leaving the euthanasia order hanging over Major.
Still, Lilly kept fighting.
In a federal lawsuit, Lilly accused the city of failing to adequately consider Major’s role as his service animal or alternatives that could save his life.
He’s seeking an independent, third-party assessment to determine whether Major can be rehabilitated and retrained for safe release and asking for an evaluation as part of a federal disability lawsuit against the city and three animal shelter employees.
“Major has been a loyal service animal and a gentle soul who acted instinctively when he was in pain,” said Lilly. “He does not deserve to be separated from his family and condemned without just cause.”
Major’s plight has ignited a growing public campaign. Supporters have protested outside the shelter and outside the courtroom, where animal activists have held up signs that said, “Free Major!”
As of Friday, 54,983 people had signed the Change.org petition demanding that he be spared.
“I urge you to stand with us and demand justice for Major,” said Lilly. “Please sign and share this petition to help protect our pets and service animals from unwarranted harm.”
