TROY - A couple weeks ago Margaret Donnelly walked into the Rensselaer County Court with a Hail Mary play -- a request for a stay to postpone the killing of Luna, a family dog who got into trouble after biting another dog and its owner.

The order was granted and now Luna likely has at least few more months to live.

But the fight is still on -- by Luna's owner, Donnelly, their attorney, and the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society -- to not only save the dog from being euthanized but also to change Troy's dangerous-dog law in the process.

"Obviously we want to reverse the order to prevent the euthanasia," Jonathan Schopf, Mohawk Hudson's attorney, told the Times Union Wednesday. "We are also hoping to raise the issue of Troy's strict dangerous-dog law."

Schopf said the appeal process, to reverse the euthanasia order, could take anywhere from four to six months, during which time Luna will remain in Mohawk Hudson's care. The non-profit said it will pay for the fees of housing the six-year-old mixed breed dog.

"I'm sure over the next few months she will be hanging out in our office," Marguerite Pearson the

marketing and communications manager for Mohawk Hudson said. "She will be getting lots of love."

In late October, Luna bit a neighborhood dog and the dog's owner, Alexi Carpenter, during a tussle at a Troy residence. Although the injuries Luna caused were described as minor, an animal control officer arrived the next day to remove the dog from its home.

This was Luna's first offense and the first time the dog had been aggressive, Donnelly said.

Schopf said state law would not require Luna to be euthanized.

"If it is just a mere physical injury and it is the dog's first offense it is not eligible for euthanasia under the state law," Schopf said.

However, Troy's dangerous-dog laws are different from the state's and much stricter, with little tolerance for aggression and Luna was deemed dangerous and ordered to be put down.

This is at least the second case of a local dog being deemed dangerous this month in Troy.

Schopf said a higher court should review the lower court ruling, especially as it pertains to a live creature that is considered a family member.

Luna's story has captured the attention of people throughout the community.

On social media the hashtag #SaveLuna has been circulating to show their support for the dog.

In addition, Carpenter, owner of the dog that was bitten, said she does not want Luna to be euthanized either. "The court should not have sentenced her to death," she said.

Volunteers and employees for Mohawk Hudson, where Luna has been for nearly a month, have also been charmed by the pup.

"I have met Luna," Schopf said. "She seems like a nice and sweet dog."