Dykema Attorneys Help Secure Pro Bono Victory in Neville the Dog Case

Press Mentions

11.10.15

Dykema, a leading national law firm, helped pro bono client Austin Pets Alive! regain full legal custody of Neville the rescue dog in a high-profile case that drew the support of more than 200,000 signatures to an online petition and attracted several news stories. The favorable ruling was obtained with the assistance of Austin-based Dykema litigator Kristina Williams, who teamed up with lead counsel Robyn Frohlin of Korell & Frohlin, LLP, and others.

The case stemmed from an incident that occurred at an Austin Pets Alive! facility where Neville bit a two-year-old who was running around in a restricted dog play area against the advice of Austin Pets Alive! staff. The family of the child asked that Neville be taken into city custody and euthanized, which a municipal judge originally ordered. Williams and other counsel appealed the case and eventually facilitated the entry of an Agreed Final Order authorizing Neville’s release from Animal Control and return to Austin Pets Alive!, where Neville will stay until he is adopted by a forever family. As a part of the order, Austin Pets Alive! agreed to various restrictions, including that Neville be placed in a home without children and receive behavioral training.

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