An aggressive dog under the control of the Toronto Humane Society was put down Wednesday after a long dispute over how to deal with the animal.

Bandit -- a pit bull cross -- was the subject of a disagreement between the humane society's board, its new executive director and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Bandit mauled a young child in 2003.

An Ontario Superior Court judgment said the dog was kept alive at the humane society for several years, roaming the facility without a muzzle and residing in the office of former president Tim Trow.

The dog bit three other people while under the care of the society, according to testimony in the case from Garth Jerome, who has taken over the society as its executive director.

Justice David Brown rebuked the society's board of directors for failing to implement a years-old court order that would have put the dog to sleep.

"If the board of the THS truly intends to turn over a new leaf, then do so," he wrote in a judgment issued Wednesday, moments before Bandit was euthanized.

The humane society announced Bandit's death in a news release.

"Bandit has been euthanized to the dismay of many THS members, staff and volunteers who cared for the dog over the years," the release said.

"The staff and board of the organization thank those who worked hard for a different solution."

Brown said in his judgment he was satisfied that Jerome was trying to implement a professional animal care program at the society.

"It is time for the THS Board of Directors to start acting professionally in its governance of that organization."

The society replied in its statement that it is complying with an April 1 court order and that there are no animals remaining at the shelter.

"We have turned the page and we are focusing on the future," the society said.

Officers from the OSPCA raided the shelter last November and arrested five senior managers on charges of animal cruelty, then took over the shelter.

On May 30, a new slate of directors will be elected and will begin running the shelter's operations on June 1.