September 27, 2016

City of Montreal Rejects Fact in Favour of Fear... and It's the Dogs Who WILL Suffer.

On September 27th, fear and ignorance prevailed over logic in Montreal, where city council voted in favour of a new bylaw banning "pit bull type dogs”, which will take effect on October 3rd.

Just like Ontario’s nonsensical Breed Specific Legislation, Montreal’s new bylaw is extraordinarily vague, defining “pit bulls” as:

• Staffordshire bull terriers.
• American pit bull terriers.
• American Staffordshire terriers.
• Any mix with these breeds.
• Any dog that presents characteristics of one of those breeds.

Montreal residents who own dogs considered to be “pit bull type dogs” will have until March to acquire a special permit, sterilize, and microchip their dogs. When out in public, these dogs will be forced to be muzzled and kept on a 4-foot leash. For the countless pit bull type dogs currently residing in Montreal shelters who will become unadoptable once the bylaw is in effect, this could be the difference between life and death.

The weeks leading up to this decision have prompted international outcry, with countless experts both within Quebec and around the world pointing out that banning a specific breed has been proven ineffective in reducing dog bite incidents, and that countless jurisdictions with similar legislation have chosen to repeal their breed bans in favour of promoting responsible pet ownership. 

For proof of the ineffectiveness of breed bans, Montreal needed to look no further than Ontario, where, eleven years after provincial Breed Specific Legislation was enacted, dog bite incidents have not been reduced, but, in fact, have steadily risen. 

Clare Forndran, Media Director for Dog Tales Rescue, stated:

“In eleven years, Ontario’s Breed Specific Legislation has done nothing but tear apart families, dramatically reduce the quality for life of dogs living under the legislation, and, ultimately, take the lives of thousands of innocent dogs. The impact will be no different in Montreal.”

Sadly, Montreal mayor Denis Coderre and his team have chosen to reject fact in favour of fear, and it is the dogs (and the humans who love them) that will suffer.

We strongly encourage those who find this bylaw to be irresponsible and immoral to write to Montreal’s city officials and let them know how you feel. 

For more information contact: Clare Forndran, 647-515-5022, media@dogtales.ca