Rufus the beagle is now getting support from the leaders of Winter Garden.
City commissioners approved a resolution Thursday in support of the beagle.
Rufus the beagle was taken by Orange County Animal Services on April 9 after the dog bit a child's lip.
Rufus' owner, Nicole West, said she was filling his food dish, and her young son came up behind the beagle, startling Rufus, who bit the little boy. The 4-year-old needed a few stitches.
But Rufus' story became an uproar when West launched a Facebook campaign, claiming the county was going to euthanize the dog.
Orange County Animal Services says the bite was so severe, state statute says the dog should be put down.
The city has no connection to Rufus or his family, they are just echoing the plea of thousands who do not want the dog killed.
“Human beings get second, third, fourth chances," said Commissioner Bobby Olszewski. "We feel that Rufus deserves a second chance at life under the circumstances of this case. We’re just standing here together as a Winter Garden Commission, just asking to take another look at this case to spare the life of Rufus.”
Orange County Animal Services, however, says Rufus will not be put down yet. The family filed an appeal to keep that from happening.
Winter Garden released this letter:
"The Winter Garden Commission respectfully requests that Orange County find an alternative solution in dealing with Rufus the beagle other than euthanasia.
Although a child was bitten, we believe that euthanizing a one-year old beagle does not meet the spirit of the law that was intended to deal with vicious dogs.
Whether it is to return Rufus to his current family or find him another suitable home, the City of Winter Garden respectfully requests that the county find an alternative solution for handling Rufus."