On Tuesday, Sept. 27, Montreal's City Council voted in 37 in favour, 23 against breed specific legislation, passing a bylaw that bans pit bulls, including Staffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, a mix with these breeds, and dogs that have characteristics of any of those breeds.

As of today, Monday, Oct. 3 there is a ban on any new ownership of pit bull or pit bull-type dogs. All current pit bull owners, or people who own dogs who resemble a pitbull must get a special permit by December 31, 2016 or their dog can be taken away.

 

As for any pit bulls, or pit bull type dogs in shelters, they will be euthanized unless they are taken in by an out of city shelter and adopted out from there.

Cochrane and Area Humane Society Fund Development Officer Jaimie Anton says the ban is a big mistake.

 

"We're obviously disappointed that this is the decision they decided to make. We feel strongly that it is irresponsible owners that should be targeted, not specific breeds," she says. "Education is also a huge part of the equation. The more people can learn about responsible dog ownership and dog behaviour, the better they are set up for success with their dog.  It's disappointing that these municipalities still do not understand dog behaviour better.  There is also great difficulty in accurately determining breeds by appearances." 

Anton shares the humane society will do what it can to help rescue pit bulls in Montreal Shelters.

"We will offer our assistance to help the shelters. Obviously there will be costs associated with the transfers, so the questions would also be who is taking on those costs?  Will the municipality take on any of the costs?"

 The Montreal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has launched a formal lawsuit contesting the pit bull ban.