A Dartmouth Court Judge has ruled that Brindi the dog be allowed to live as long as the city can find the animal a new home, and not with former owner Franchesca Rogier.

The Judge ordered that the East Chezzetcook woman forfeit ownership of the nine-year-old mixed breed and that HRM take sole responsibility for its adoption or fostering.

“We were seeking to have the dog put down, but really this is the best of both worlds,” said Crown Attourney Katherine Salsman. “It allows us to evaluated and make sure that that is the right decision.”

The decision also allows HRM to destroy the dog if a suitable home cannot before before Aug. 21, 2012. Salsman said there will now be an evaluation of the dog’s adoptability.

Dog trainer Susan Jordan said the dog is a good candidate for being adopted.

“This dog certainly has behavioural concerns. They need modification training. But the dog is trainable,” Jordan told News 95.7 outside the courtroom.

Rogier did not attend today court proceeding. She was ordered to pay a $200 fine for each of the HRM bylaw infractions against her. She was found guilty of owning a dog that attacks, owning a dog that runs at large, and failing to comply with a muzzle order.

“I think the perfect solution would have been to return the dog to her with all the rules still in place and additional training to occur. I think that would have been her ultimate goal, that the dog be returned. Her greatest wish would be that the dog not be put down,” said Jordan.

There have been at least three instances when Brindi attacked other dogs dating back to when she was first seized by HRM in 2008. She has been in HRM’s custody since 2010.

Rogier has 25 business days to appeal the decision.