Woodbridge Animal Control has a New Year's resolution to find a home for a dog who has been in the shelter for almost four years.

Woodbridge Animal Control is supposed to be a short-term stop for its residents, but for Brutus, it's been home for most of his life.

"He is a Staffy/Mastiff mix. He’s a very thick boy, very short and stocky," says Woodbridge Animal Control Officer Ashley Sakelarakis.

Brutus has spent 1,420 days at the shelter.

The longest a dog had been there before being adopted was three years, then Brutus came along.

Sakelarakis says Brutus came to them as a stray on Valentine's Day in 2017.

"Very skinny. No manners, no socialization but very scared," she says.

Staff members have been training him since then, and say he's come a long way.

"Don’t let him fool you, he sits, he downs, he does paw, he does other paw," Sakelarakis says. "He absolutely loves his ball. He stands on it, he pushes it around, plays soccer with it."

But Brutus still doesn't have a family to play with, and Sakelarakis says there's been little interest in adopting him. She thinks it's partly because he barks a lot when meeting people in the kennel, which can come off as intimidating.

"He's a great dog. You just need to give him the time and he needs a chance," Sakelarakis says.

She's hoping to find his perfect match before the anniversary of his arrival next month.

"I know he’s got somebody out there and I just got to find them," Sakelarakis says.

News 12 is told the ideal forever home for Brutus is one with an experienced breed owner, low-traffic and no other pets.

For more information, call Woodbridge Animal Control at 203-389-5991.