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One year after enacting a wide ban on pit bulls, Montreal’s newly elected mayor will officially end the ban and welcome ALL dogs into the city!
Montreal’s animal lovers DO have a voice – and that voice was heard loud and clear when Valérie Plante, who promised to repeal the controversial pit bull ban if elected, was voted into office.
The current bylaw, put into place by former Mayor Denis Coderre and enacted last December, put a ban on any new “pit bull type” dogs entering the city and placed heavy restrictions on those already living there. Under the law, any of the banned breeds – this includes American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and any dog mixed with or sharing certain physical characteristics with a banned breed – could be “grandfathered in,” but owners must have applied for a special permit or risk having their dog seized.
In addition to the ban, any pit bulls legally registered and living in the city were required to be muzzled while outdoors – even in their own backyards – and kept on a short leash while off their property.
Despite massive opposition to the ban and a temporary suspension following public outcry, the Quebec Court of Appeal overturned the suspension, allowing the ban to be reinstated last December.
On Friday, city councilor Craig Sauvé announced that bylaws targeting specific dog breeds or physical characteristics will officially be lifted at a December 20 meeting.
“Montreal is a welcoming city for pet owners and will remain so,” Sauvé said.
“To reduce dog bites, we need to look at all dogs, because pit bulls, contrary to some urban legends, aren’t a dog that’s more aggressive than others, or a dog that’s particularly dangerous; all dogs are potentially dangerous,” he added.
