Death row dog wins reprieve

A Mount Waverley woman fighting to save her beloved pet dog from death row has had a small victory.

Jade Applebee launched legal action after VCAT backed Monash City's declaration that her dog, Kerser, was a pit bull and must be destroyed.

A Supreme Court judge today agreed to hear her appeal against VCAT's decision, giving Kerser, who is being held by the RSPCA, a stay of execution in the meantime.

Speaking outside court, an emotional Jade said: "It's so hard because I have to go past RSPCA everyday."

Jade believes Kerser is an American Staffordshire cross, but when he escaped from her back yard last December City of Monash council officers seized the dog and judged it to be an American Pitbull Terrier.

As he was unregistered, authorities condemned the dog to death under the state's Breed Specific Legislation.

The law requires dangerous breeds, such as pit bulls, to be specially registered and owners must follow strict rules or their dogs face euthanasia.

Jade has won widespread public support, with thousands of people signing an online Facebook petition to save Kerser's life.

The appeal hearing has been fixed for October 11.