Whitehorse death-row dog's future uncertain

The fate of Trevor, a Whitehorse shelter dog at the centre of a long court case, remains in limbo while a judge decides how the case should proceed.

The Yukon Supreme Court imposed an injunction in July 2009 and extended it a month later, temporarily staying the Rottweiler-shepherd cross's execution, after the Humane Society Yukon challenged the City of Whitehorse's decision to destroy the troubled and potentially dangerous dog.

But 15 months after the injunction was extended, and provisions were imposed on how Trevor could be adopted, the humane society still has not found a court-approved foster home for the dog.

City officials say they have spent $45,000 in taxpayers' money on the court case to date.

Appearing before Yukon Supreme Court Justice Ron Veale on Tuesday, city lawyers said they want Trevor returned to the pound to be destroyed, or they want the humane society to take on all further responsibility for the dog.

But Veale said city officials cannot simply walk away from Trevor's case now, since they have a duty to protect Whitehorse citizens from dangerous dogs.

Lawyers for Humane Society Yukon said Trevor has adapted well at the society's Mae Bachur Animal Shelter in Whitehorse, where he has been kept in isolation since the courtinjunction was imposed. The society requested more time to find Trevor an appropriate new home.

Trying to secure right home

But despite numerous expressions of interest from prospective dog owners, the humane society has not been able to secure the right home for Trevor due to "dangerous dog" conditions imposed by the court.

Documents filed with the court last week confirm that the society has rejected an offer from a resident of Ibex Valley, west of Whitehorse, to adopt Trevor. Last month, residents in Ibex Valley petitioned the local advisory council not to let Trevor move into their area, citing safety concerns.

The humane society is now asking the Kluane First Nation in Burwash Landing, Yukon, to reconsider a long-standing offer from resident John Obermeyer to adopt Trevor.

Last month, the First Nation said it cannot accept the risk of letting such a temperamental dog with high needs and potential risk into the small community.

But humane society treasurer Rachel Westfall says she has convinced Chief Math'ieya Alatani to reconsider Obermeyer's offer. According to court documents, Westfall says she has given the chief Trevor's updated rehabilitation plan, as well as video footage of the dog playing with her own children.

Obermeyer would be the "ideal person" to foster Trevor, Westfall stated in her affidavit to the court.

The Kluane First Nation says it will give its answer to the humane society after its next council meeting later this month.

No reason to destroy dog: specialist

Trevor was originally rescued from abuse and brought to the animal shelter early last year. He was adopted out several months later, but by July he was surrendered to the Whitehorse pound following some reported attacks on people. He was deemed to be a dangerous animal and was slated to be destroyed.

After the court injunction was granted, stopping the city from putting Trevor down, an assessment by B.C.-based animal behaviour specialist Shelley Breadner concluded that Trevor would likely remain an anti-social and aggressive dog that could be managed by the right owner.

Speaking to the court by phone on Tuesday, Breadner said Trevor has adapted so well at the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter that there is no reason to destroy him.

However, Breadner said despite his peaceful adaptation, Trevor has a lifetime condition and he may never be 100 per cent safe in a residential setting.

Veale suggested that the shelter could be Trevor's home for the rest of his life.

The judge said he needs more time to decide how the case should continue. Trevor will remain at the animal shelter until that decision is made.