For his tolerance, Trevor deserves an award (Whitehorse Star, Oct 6/10)

Trevor the dog. Trevor...the dog! What have you done, Son, to deserve this ongoing fight for life in court? On Aug. 6 of last year, the judge agreed, and ruled on the fact that the city’s bylaw department could not claim ownership over you and therefore kill you. You were then returned to your rightful “owner”, the Humane Society Yukon. Shouldn’t that be the end of the story?

It is not standard protocol for City Bylaw Services to take dog owners to court when they are willing to follow the provisions that go along with owning a “dangerous dog”. These provisions are in place for public safety. It is not illegal to have a “dangerous” dog. Besides, the city’s lawyer said in court on Aug. 6, 2009, “”Not that we are saying Trevor is a dangerous dog; the city is not calling Trevor a dangerous dog.” The city has not declared Trevor a dangerous dog under the Animal Control Bylaw.

The court process has been, and continues to be, a waste of public money. Yesterday in court, the city lawyer said (and Justice Ron Veale agreed) that they don’t want to spend any more money on Trevor. Now here is something we can all agree on, since the issue shouldn’t be in court at all.

Trevor can be cared for properly without all this fuss. The Humane Society has kept Trevor safe and happy all this time. I have taken Trevor out of the animal shelter more than 340 times, and I can report that he is a happy, healthy, ambitious dog.

He spends long hours in a small cage, many restrictions, and yet he continues to greet everyone he knows with excitement and friendly doggie greetings. He has made many new friends, some of whom have offered to adopt him. If I could, I would adopt him in a heartbeat. Trevor should be given that chance.

And the Tolerance of the Human Award goes out to...Trevor the dog!

Mike Grieco, Whitehorse