Montreal to lift controversial pit bull ban

The ProjetMontraladministrationis making good on an electoralpromise to liftformer mayor Denis Coderre's controversial pit bull ban.

Coun. Craig Sauv announced Friday that parts of the animal control bylaw targeting specific breeds or dogs bearing certain physical characteristicswill be suspended.

The change will be ratified atthe Dec. 20 executive committee meeting.

In a news release,Sauvsaid that the change was made with pet owners in mind.

"Montreal is a welcoming city for pet owners and will remain so," saidSauv.

The suspension of the articlesthat target specific breeds won'taffect regular restrictions on dogs deemed dangerous or hazardous to public safety, he added.

"We feel like targeting one breed of dog is not the right approach, because all breeds of dogs are potentially dangerous," he toldCBC. "So we have to work on how we can help owners get a better control of their dogs."

• ProjetMontralplans to act quickly to repeal 'wrong-headed' pit bull ban

The former Coderre administration's original bylaw, passed in September 2016, prohibitsMontrealersfrom adopting new pit bull-type dogs. People who already owned such an animalbefore the bylaw went into effect had to geta special permit to keep their dog.

Currently, theaffected dogsmust wear a muzzle in public, and large dogs of all breeds must also wear a harness.

Going forward,the City of Montreal will issue only one type of dog licence and won't require pit bull-type dogsto wear amuzzle after Dec. 20.

ProjetMontralis expected to develop a replacement animal control policy in 2018.

A public safety issue

How to deal with pit bullshas been a hot button issue in the province sinceChristianeVadnaiswas mauled to deathby a neighbour's dog in her backyard in June 2016.

Gaston Vadnais,Christiane's brother, said he was disappointed by the news that the ban on pit bull-type dogs is to be lifted.

"I don't want to, in 2018,hear another story about a pit bull killing someone," he said. "Wearen'tconsidering the security of the population. We talk a lot about the dogs, but we don't talk about the security of people."

He said he was happy with the Coderreadministration's introduction of the bylaw and hopes that current Mayor Valrie Plante will change her mind.

• Montreal passes controversial pit bull ban

Alain Martineau, whosepet poodle was attacked and killed by a pit bull, said he doesn't support Projet Montral's move, either.

He said he wants to see all pit bullsmuzzled as a precaution.

"You never know when a dog like that is going to attack somebody," saidMartineau."Something is going to happen again, for sure."

An election issue

Shortly after the election,Sauvwas charged with managing the city's animal services file.

He toldCBCthat he felt the breed-specific legislation was a key election issue for many voters.

"We heard loud and clear that citizens wanted a better bylaw," saidSauvin November.

Dog ownershave been critical of the bylaw and its provincial counterpart Bill 128organizing several demonstrations over the past year.

The results of a DNA test cited in the coroner's report found the dogwas 87.5 per cent AmericanStaffordshireTerrier, a breedassociatedwithpit bulls, but stopped short of identifying the dog as a pit bull.

Many animal welfare advocates, however, have argued that individualdogs with behavioural issues should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, rather than targeting an entire breed.

SPCAapplauds move

The Montreal SPCA, which has been lobbying against the breed-specific ban since it was first announced,released a statement online welcoming the news.

"We are also looking forward to working with the city to develop a new, progressive by-law that addresses companion animal overpopulation and ensures welfare of all animals in our community."

A spokespersonfor quipe Denis Coderre, which has yet to be renamed, told CBC it would not be commenting on the move at present.