Judicial review of Montreal pit bull bylaw to be heard Monday

Ajudicialreview ofMontreal's new animal control bylaw has been pushed back until Monday, the same day the new rules arescheduled to go into effect.

TheSPCAargued in court Thursday that the review should be heard as soon as possible, with the aim of havingthe sections targeting "pit bull-type dogs" suspended and ultimately declared illegal.

SuperiorCourt Justice Claude Champagne said he will hearthe caseMondaymorning, adding that hedidn't find there would beirreparable damage in waiting fourdays, as SPCAlawyers had argued.

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One criteria for a suspension is the urgency of the matter and SPCA lawyers say that's the case because the bylaw puts dogs lives at risk.

The new regulations, which will ban new ownership of pit bulls and pit-bull type dogs, was passed by city council on Tuesday.

Animal rights advocates have criticized the bylaw,pointing out thatmany cities that have implemented similar legislation have since repealed the laws.

A spokesperson for the City of Montreal said the municipality has a "well-recognized"right to pass animal control regulations, especially where it concerns the safety of Montrealers.

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