From Doggy Death Row to Adoption, Neville The Dog Finds a Home

Neville the dog is moving out of the animal shelter and in to his forever home after being adopted, announced Austin Pets Alive on Tuesday.

After biting a child in September, the rescue dog became one of Austin’s most famous canine residents. When a judge ordered Neville to be euthanized, an online petition to save the dog received around 200,000 signatures. The response led to a judge ordering a stay of destruction, and the return of Neville the dog to the Austin Pets Alive animal shelter.

“Chosen from a number of qualified adopters, Neville’s new family meets the criteria set forth by the court and gives Neville the fresh start that we were hoping for his new life,” said Austin Pets Alive in the announcement.

After Neville was returned to Austin Pets Alive, a judge put strict legal requirements in place for anyone interested in adopting him.

The main stipulation was that Neville could not be adopted by any family that has children. Neville’s owner must also agree to keep Neville on a leash or inside at all times, is committed to put Neville through behavior training and will have to carry a $100,00 liability insurance policy.

But these restrictions didn’t dissuade a number of potential adopters looking to take in one of Austin’s most notorious dogs.

And so the saga of Neville the dog has come to an end, happily ever after. We hope.

“We were inspired by the story of a dog that became a symbol of the changing attitudes in animal sheltering. Unbeknownst to Neville, the support of an entire community of animal lovers stepped up to say — this dog, this circumstance and this outcome — not this time, not in Austin,” said Austin Pets Alive.