The Yukon's most famous dog has won a final stay of execution.

In a judgment released Tuesday, Justice Ron Veale ruled Trevor the dog shall remain in the care of the Humane Society Yukon, and denied a City of Whitehorse application to turn the dog over to the city pound to be destroyed.

The final decision in the ongoing case came after the city said it could no longer justify monitoring the dog's potential foster homes and appearing in court to provide updates on the file.

The city has spent more than $45,000 on legal fees and related staff expenses on the German shepherd-Rottweiler, lawyer Lori Lavoie told the court. The application was made in the face of "mounting frustration (and) mounting impatience” with the case, which has dragged on for 16 months.

In response to the city's application, the humane society asked that Trevor be permitted to stay at the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter, in the society's care and under the supervision of animal behaviour expert Shelley Breadner.

After the application was granted Tuesday, society treasurer Rachel Westfall, who was present at all of the court hearings said today: "We are very relieved. Now we can just move forward with the work we've been doing with Trevor without the court process hanging over our heads.”

She said she does not regret the case going to court, as a judge's ruling was the only way to save Trevor from being destroyed at the pound.

The dog had first been rescued by a city bylaw officer from a negligent owner, then given to the shelter to adopt out.

While there, he bit a child, according to court documents, then his aggressive behaviour escalated after he was adopted out.

He bit four people, leaving one man with serious damage to his arm, before his new family brought him back to the pound. The dog was scheduled to be destroyed but the society stepped in and claimed the dog was its property and therefore could not be killed without permission.

"In this instance, we had attempted to pursue different avenues, but (going to court) was almost the only option,” Westfall said, adding she would do it all again for another animal if need be.

Westfall noted the court proceedings did not cost the society anything because lawyer Carrie Burbidge did the work for free.

"She's amazing,” Westfall said of Burbidge's contribution.

The only cost to the humane society has been veterinarian fees, Westfall said, which have not gone above a few hundred dollars.

Little will change for Trevor following the order. He will continue to live at the shelter, but now staff there will be in regular contact with Breadner to update her on the dog's behaviour management program.

"I don't think Trevor will notice a difference,” Westfall said. "Mostly the changes are going to be organizational in the coming weeks.”

Trevor's handlers will video tape his behaviour in different situations so Breadner can see how he is coming along and

communicate with the vet about what new training should be introduced.

"Basically, all the stuff that would have gone into place as soon as Trevor got into a foster home,” Westfall said.

She said the dog has already made a lot of progress from when he first came to the shelter.

"When he first came in, he didn't know his name, he didn't know us. He was nervous .... Now he's been in there for some time, he knows the routine, he's calm, he's friendly, he's completely different. He's confident and he's secure.

That's what a dog needs to be well-behaved – safety and security.”

Westfall said there is a chance Trevor may spend the rest of his life at the shelter, but added: "I really hope that's not the case for poor old Trevor.”

She said the society will continue to look for possible foster homes.

"Certainly initially, it would have to be a foster arrangement because we need to be sure the work with Dr. Breadner would be done.

"It would have to be a home in Whitehorse or a home where the community was aware of (Trevor's presence) and approved of it.”

In his decision, Veale put conditions on how Trevor should be cared for, including the length of his leash and the fact he must always wear a muzzle when outside his pen or when eating or drinking.

If those conditions are breached, the city may use the Animal Control Bylaw to seize the dog, the judge said.