Trevor a dangerous dog, says assessment

The fate of a Whitehorse dog that came close to being euthanized last month remains uncertain, after an independent assessment concluded that Trevor poses a danger to the public, but did not say whether he can be rehabilitated.

Trevor the Rottweiler-shepherd cross made national news in August when the Yukon Supreme Court — in its first ruling on the fate of a dog — extended a temporary injunction stopping city bylaw officials from putting him down.

The court gave the Humane Society Yukon, which runs the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter in Whitehorse, until Monday to have Trevor independently assessed to determine whether he poses a threat to public safety, as the city claims.

Was aggressive 3 times

On Monday, court was informed of the assessment by Dr. Shelley Breadner, a B.C.-based animal behaviour specialist, who concluded that Trevor is "a dangerous dog" whose "behaviours are a lifelong condition."

In her report, Breadner noted that Trevor showed no social manners or interest in socializing with people unless food was involved.

During Breadner's day-long assessment in Whitehorse, Trevor displayed aggressive behaviour three times, including one incident in which he attacked a regular shelter visitor for no reason.

Humane society director Rachel Westfall said she was disappointed Breadner's report focused only on Trevor's negative traits.

"Hand-licking and sniffing was seen as a way of controlling and that kind of thing. I have never heard of dog behaviour interpreted that way," she said outside court Monday.

"However, we weren't surprised that some aggression came out in the report," she added, noting Trevor's history.

Rescued from abuse

Bylaw officers had rescued Trevor from abuse earlier this year, after he was discovered with an undersized collar ingrown into his neck.

Trevor was taken to the animal shelter, where he stayed until he was adopted in May. But in July, Trevor was brought back to the pound, where he was classified a dangerous dog, after a number of people claimed he randomly attacked them.

The humane society sought an injunction stopping the city from euthanizing Trevor, arguing that he did not act aggressively at the shelter.

The court first agreed to the injunction on July 28, then extended the order on Aug. 6 on the condition that Trevor be assessed by Monday's court hearing.

Specialist may testify

Yukon Supreme Court Justice Ron Veale said Breadner's assessment report was inconclusive because it failed to specify whether Trevor can be rehabilitated.

Veale said he will put that question to Breadner, if she agrees to testify when the matter returns to court in two weeks time.

City officials say they are prepared to do whatever the court orders them to do.

"If the courts rule that he should be returned to the city, then we'll euthanize him. If the courts decide that he can be rehabilitated, then we'll work with the humane society to make sure he is rehabilitated," city bylaw chief John Taylor said outside court.

"But the big thing we have to remember is the safety of the citizens of Whitehorse. That's why we're here."

In an last-minute affidavit to the court, Trevor's current trainer, Erika Rozsa-Atkinson, said she will keep working with the dog until he is rehabilitated.

"Dr. Breadner did a fantastic job assessing Trevor, I think she's very good at what she does, but I the training should be left up to a trainer," Rozsa-Atkinson said outside court.