A dog that's been the centre of a protracted court battle after it attacked several other dogs will finally be adopted following years under the care and responsibility of the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Brindi, a 13- or 14-year-old shepherd mix, has spent much of her life in a kennel after several aggressive confrontations with other dogs, and her former owner's failure to comply with a muzzle order.

A court-ordered muzzle restriction remains in effect, meaning Brindi will have to wear a muzzle whenever she is outside, for the rest of her life. (Elizabeth Chiu/CBC)

On Monday, the Halifax Regional Municipality was advised by the Court of Appeal of Nova Scotia that an appeal launched by Brindi's former owner, Francesca Rogier, has been dismissed.

Rogier had been challenging a 2012 decision that gave HRM responsibility for Brindi's care and custody. She had wanted the dog returned to her.

The name of Brindi's new owner is not being disclosed by HRM. Halifax spokesman Brendan Elliott said Brindi is no longer considered a danger, and the city is preparing paperwork to have the dog adopted by a new, carefully screened owner.

The dog has been living for more than five years at Wyndenfog Kennel in West Chezzetcook, run out of the home of Christine Graham, an experienced dog trainer.

Graham said Brindi is slowing down. Her fur is turning grey, but she is in excellent shape, especially considering her age. Graham, who has seven dogs of her own, said Brindi has learned social skills around other dogs.

"She's been out for walks, she's been out for play dates, she's with me out in the field," Graham said. Their time together, she said, has "been really rewarding. Brindi's a really good dog."

A court-ordered muzzle restriction remains in effect. It means Brindi will have to wear a muzzle whenever outside, for the rest of its life.

Graham said although Brindi now behaves better around other dogs, the dog still has aggression issues and needs to be closely watched and have her own space. Brindi behaves well around people, said Graham.

"For her she hasn't been through a lot because she's been well taken care of. She's been in a home situation," Graham said. "It hasn't been a saga for her. She's been in a home that she's used to."

Long history with the law

Brindi was originally adopted by Rogier in 2007 after spending two years in a shelter.

After several aggressive confrontations with other dogs, Brindi was placed under a muzzle order. But in July 2008, Brindi got loose from her East Chezzetcook home and bit another dog. That's when Halifax bylaw officers seized Brindi.

The dog was scheduled to be euthanized in August 2008, but the procedure was postponed after Rogier made an application to the court.

In April 2010, a provincial court judge ruled that Rogier undergo a training course with Brindi and that the dog be muzzled if it wasn't in a fenced-in area.

Later that same year, Brindi jumped out of the window of Rogier's car and sank its teeth into a neighbour's smaller dog. The attacked dog was on a leashed walk with its owners.

A judge later ruled the attack broke three bylaws because Brindi was running at large and attacked another dog when the animal was supposed to be wearing a muzzle.