Texas federal judge blocks euthanasia of service dog Major

A federal judge in Austin, Texas, has permanently blocked the City of Austin from euthanizing Major, a Belgian Malinois service dog. The 3-year-old dog had been held in isolation for 575 days following an incident on March 31, 2025, when he was struck by a truck. During the accident, Major bit a woman who was attempting to assist the injured dog, resulting in an injury to her arm.

Owner and veteran Shane Lilly fought a lengthy legal battle, including unsuccessful appeals to the Texas Supreme Court, to save the animal. Lilly filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the city violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. US District Judge David Alan Ezra issued the order on October 26, stating that the dog cannot be euthanized. Austin officials are now required to release Major to a rescue organization within 30 days to allow for rehabilitation and a potential reunion with Lilly.