Patrick the Miracle Dog remains at the Garden State Veterinary Specialists (GSVS) in Tinton Falls, New Jersey after a judge denied a request to move him to a shelter in Forked River, New Jersey.

Judge Joseph Cassini III ruled against the request by the Associated Humane Society to move the rescued Pit Bull to the Popcorn Park Zoo in Forked River while the dog’s alleged abuser, Kisha Curtis of Newark, New Jersey stands trial for animal cruelty. Cassini said Patrick was receiving adequate care at GSVS, where he is recovering, nine weeks after being found tossed out with the trash in Newark.

Patrick’s story continues to be followed on the media circuit—in newspapers as far away as Ireland—and on the Internet. Blogs, postings, even new songs dedicated to Patrick on YouTube continue to surface.

Thursday’s hearing addressed a custody battle between the GSVS, Associated Humane Societies (AHS) and the city of Newark New Jersey. AHS, which claims it has legal ownership of the dog and which also has an animal care center in Tinton Falls, filed a motion seeking to overturn a judge’s earlier order that Patrick stay at GSVS.

As for what is in Patrick’s best interests, AHS Director Bruce  Sanchez said, “All we want is what is best for the dog.” Sanchez also said that Patrick “should be able to be a normal dog.”

“He was cheated out of his whole life and he should be able to slip into anonymity,” Sanchez said, adding that he thought the dog should be adopted anonymously.

“We’re the ones who decided to save the dog,” Sanchez said of the AHS. “He wasn’t famous when we saved him.” Sanchez said that AHS workers decided to bring him to GSVS because the clinic provides 24-hour care.

Many people however, agree with Judge Cassini’s decision including one Web site that has a petition by the Concerned Supporters of Patrick The Miracle Dog, which has been signed from people all over the world.

The petition reads: “We do not believe that it would be in Patrick’s best interest for him to be moved from Garden State Veterinary Specialists where he has been receiving loving care since he was found. We believe that he should remain at GSVS, where he has been thriving, until he is legally adopted.” So far the petition has 2,578 signatures.

But beyond the millions of hearts that Patrick’s story has touched, the dog’s most indelible contribution will be the animal shelter in Newark New Jersey that is being built in his honor. So far, Newark New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker has raised $15,907 toward his target goal of $50,000 for this project.

Story by Elaine Furst for Dog Files