My beloved service animal, Major, faces an unjust death sentence that no animal deserves. In a traumatic incident where Major hit by a car and then provoked by a Good Samaritan trying to help him, a bite occurred. However, the individual responsible refused to testify or press charges against Major or myself. Despite this, the Austin Animal Control authority recommended Major to be euthanized.  The court agreed and then the Austin Animal Control has spent the better part of two years defending that euthanasia while I pursued all available judicial remedies. Animal Control retained discretion in the recommendation to the judge, but refused to seriously consider any of the lifesaving options I offered in exchange to save his life. 

Even the victim in the case agrees that Major should not die for what happened, and that is why she refused to testify, but there is so much more at stake than this, because it means that a person can simply make a claim, and they will not be required to testify to defend that claim even when a dog's life is at risk.  In Texas, dogs are property, so the inability to adequately depose or call into question the claims made against me amounts to a violation of my due process rights, since the basis of that claim justifies the deprivation of my property (Major).  It means a single claim is all that stands between you and the State of Texas seizing and destroying your beloved animal.

As of September 3rd, after this story made national news, the appellate court denied our motion to stay.

It's crucial to emphasize that a dog's life should not be decided based on personal grudges and unverified accusations. Major has been a loyal service animal and a gentle soul who acted instinctively when he was in pain. He does not deserve to be separated from his family and condemned without just cause.

This petition seeks to implore Austin Animal Protection to correct the mistakes it has made in this case and engage its legal counsel to enter into an agreement to release Major back to me, under reasonable and mutually agreed conditions and to take whatever legal action necessary to amend, replace, or otherwise set aside the lower court's order of euthanasia. It is essential that animal control officers and judicial bodies make decisions based on admissible and sufficient  evidence, that a party be provided with its due process guaranteed under the law, and in lieu of justice, recommendations made to and orders issued by judicial bodies should not be premised on personal biases.

This petition will preface attempts to change Texas Health & Safety Code § 822.003(f) to add reasons why the animal cannot be euthanized, including acts of provocation, lack of evidence or victim testimony and corroboration of such evidence. 

I urge you to stand with us and demand justice for Major. No pet should face this kind of bias and unfair treatment. By signing this petition, you're helping to save Major’s life and ensuring that other families do not face similar injustices. Please sign and share this petition to help protect our pets from unwarranted harm.