Death-row dog gets reprieve in Whitehorse

A Yukon Supreme Court judge extended a temporary stay of execution Thursday afternoonfor Trevor, a dog that was going to be put down at the Whitehorse city pound, sparking a public outcry.

Justice James Wong extended a temporary injunction stopping city bylaw officials from euthanizing the Rottweiler-shepherd cross, which the city has deemed to be a dangerous dog.

The injunction was extended so that Trevor can be properly assessed.

Trevor had been held at the city pound for the past three weeks, pending Thursday's court challenge. Had the court ruled in the city's favour, the dogwould have been put down on Friday.

The decision came a a relief to Whitehorse resident Kevin Sinclair, wholaunchedthe court challenge withthe Humane Society Yukon tostop Trevor from being put down without an independent assessment.

"It appears we're going toget an honest shot, to have him assessed, to have people look at him and not just somebody unilaterally deciding his death," Sinclair said outside court following the decision.

"If he comes back negative, everybody's got to taketheir medicine."

Trevor will now be assessed by a dog behaviour expert to determine if he can be rehabilitated. His final fate will be decided on Sept. 21.

Rescued from abuse

Thursday's ruling marks the first time the Yukon Supreme Courthashad to decide the fate of a dog.

City bylaw officers rescued Trevor early this year, after he was discovered with an undersized collar badly ingrown into his neck. Trevor was taken to theMae Bachur Animal Shelter, where staff and volunteers cared for him until he was adopted out in May.

The humane society, which runs the shelter, has argued that Trevor was not aggressive when he was in its care.

But a number of peopleclaim the dog has randomly attacked individuals, including children. Some have sworn affidavits asserting that Trevor attacked and bit them.

The dog'slast owner, Matthew Allaby, surrendered himto the city pound last month, after Trevor bit a friend on the arm.

Shelter workers have disputed the reports about Trevor's attacks and demanded an independent reassessment.

Thecourt case has attracted worldwide attention in the past week, with people around the globe signing petitions and writing letters infavour of keeping the dog alive.

Humane society executive director Rachel Westfall said she hopes to have Trevor assessed locally, although the society has received offers of help from people across North Americaclaiming to be "dog whisperers."

Westfallsay the societywould ultimately like to have Trevor rehabilitated and placed in a rural home.