People in Connecticut are rallying on Friday around a dog who has been on death row for a year and a half for biting someone who the owners claim were trespassing.

Simon’s owners claim he bit a neighbor who was trespassing on their property with a lacrosse stick. The family and community members held a rally in Guilford Friday to bring awareness to Simon’s story.

“We’re trying to bring attention to the injustice and criminal activity of Guilford, Connecticut. Having private meetings without any public knowledge, without any public minutes. It wasn’t announced during which they decided to put my dog down,” Simon’s owner, David Young said.

The family has spent over $35,000 dollars in legal fees to keep their dog alive.