Virginia Army Veteran Fighting To Bring Home Dog Rescued Overseas After Animal Control Seizure

A Virginia Army veteran says the dog that helped him survive deployment overseas is now sitting alone in a shelter kennel — and his family is begging for help to bring her home.

Brendan Jones, of Strasburg, says his 11-year-old dog Lucy has been in animal control custody for more than three weeks after authorities accused the family of violating Virginia’s dangerous dog registry requirements following a complaint from a neighbor.

To Jones, the ordeal feels surreal.

“This dog has survived war, escaped ISIS, Bedouins and wild dogs, and brought me back with her,” Jones said. “Now, she’s in jail. Because of my mistake.”

Jones says Lucy first approached him during a 2015 military deployment overseas while he was serving as an Arabic linguist in the Army.

“We were struck by the fact that she came right up to us, wasn’t standoffish at all, and realized very quickly that she was seeking protection,” he said.

At the time, Jones says he was separated from his wife and newborn son and struggling emotionally during deployment. He says rescuing Lucy became his mission.

“Lucy gave me a purpose,” Jones said. “Once she’d endeared herself to me and I decided that I couldn’t leave her to die, I became completely committed to Operation Rescue Lucy.”

Jones eventually brought Lucy back to the United States in 2016 with help from rescue organizations, including Puppy Rescue Mission.

For years, the family says Lucy lived peacefully on their farm and became deeply attached to the couple’s four children.

According to Jones, the dog had “no incident” involving people for nearly nine years.

That changed in 2025 after Lucy underwent surgery for what was believed to be cancer on her leg. Jones says the dog, heavily medicated and disoriented after surgery, became involved in an incident that ultimately led to her being legally declared dangerous.

“She was still on drugs, groggy, had a boot on, was hobbling mostly on three legs because of the pain,” Jones said. “We’d had her for nine years at that point with no incident.”

Jones admits he did not fully understand the legal consequences tied to Virginia’s dangerous dog designation when the ruling was made.

“I made a mistake and I did not seek counsel,” he said. “I understand them now.”

The family says the latest incident that triggered Lucy’s seizure happened after the dog slipped off her collar but remained on the family’s property.

“A few hours later, they pull up and they take Lucy away,” said Brendan’s wife, Dolly Jones.

Now the family says Lucy remains confined in a shelter kennel while the legal battle plays out.

“Our Lucy is 11 years old and she’s sitting in a kennel and she doesn’t know why,” Dolly said.

The emotional toll has been especially hard on the couple’s children.

“The kids asking really heartbreaking questions. ‘Is Lucy coming home? Is she going to be put down?’” Dolly said.

Jones says his oldest son has been devastated by the separation.

“He was a year old when I brought Lucy back, but basically every day of his life that he remembers, Lucy’s been there,” Jones said.

The veteran says support from strangers has helped the family continue fighting.

The Jones family launched a fundraiser to help cover mounting legal costs, and Jones says supporters from across the country — including members of the cryptocurrency community — have stepped in to assist.

“We’re going to be able to fight,” Jones said.

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