Texas Judge blocks euthanasia order for service dog Major

“Major is not an aggressive animal,” stated Shane Lilly, the 57-year-old veteran and owner of Major. “He is a happy dog. He plays gently.”

US District Judge David Alan Ezra’s Oct. 26 ruling ends a protracted legal battle initiated by Lilly to save his companion. The case originated on March 31, 2025, when Major was struck by a vehicle while walking with Lilly in Austin. While Lilly sought assistance, a woman attempting to help Major bit her arm.

City officials subsequently seized the dog and sought a court order for euthanasia, citing a potential threat to public safety. Lilly challenged this decision through multiple lawsuits, ultimately reaching the Texas Supreme Court, which declined to intervene.

Lilly’s recent federal lawsuit alleged a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, arguing that Austin failed to recognize Major’s role in assisting him with seizures resulting from a traumatic brain injury. Judge Ezra’s ruling mandates that Austin release Major to a rescue organization within 30 days.

Major will be transferred to a secure enclosure outside Austin for a 30-day decompression and behavioral evaluation. Only Lilly and Kenneth Martin, a designated behavioral veterinarian, will be allowed to interact with Major during this period. The order also stipulates that Major will not be permitted to interact with the general public and that Lilly must secure at least $100,000 in liability insurance.

Social media erupted with celebratory messages following the announcement. Austin officials confirmed they will adhere to the court’s order, expressing continued concerns regarding Major’s potential risk to public safety.