Quebec City Mayor Rgis Labeaume backtracks on pit bull ban

Rgis Labeaume appears to be backing downon hisplan to ban pit bulls by 2017 just hours after dozens of dog owners and supporters protested outside city hall.

The ban was harshly criticized because, unlike other Quebec municipalities moving forward withbanning the breed, dogs already living in the city would not be exempt from the rule.

• Outrage, threats in response to Quebec City pit bull ban
• Pit bull owner and trainer says breed-specific ban not the answer

Labeaumechanged his tuneMonday afternoon, saying he only wanted to start a debate on the issue.

"We won'teliminate pitbulls," Labeaume said. "Wewanted to hit hard so things would move."

Earlier Monday, about 50 dog owners gathered outside of city hall, demanding a compromise on ban that Labeaume proposed and would go into effect in January 2017. The Quebec City residents said they were willing to use leashes and muzzles to avoid an overall ban

Pit bullownerLucieCarrirebelievesbad masters are the problem, not dogs.

"When there are no morepitbullsand there are still people being bitten, what are you gonnado?" Carrire said.

"Are yougonnaban all thebreeds? Because there are other breeds that will hurt people, it's inevitable."

Labeaume said he never planned to adopt the bylawand hewill wait for the Quebec governmentto decide on new regulations.

The province has commissioned a working group to look at the issue, but the premier has said Quebec will likely take the same steps as Ontario to ban pitbulls.

Sherbrooke backs down on new rules, Longueuil set to move forward

The City of Sherbrooke will no longer move forward with regulations that would make all dogs over 20 kilograms wear halters.

• Sherbrooke dogs over 20 kilograms will have to wear halter

Sherbrooke, like Quebec City, is also waiting on the province's recommendations before implementing new bylaws.

However, the South Shore community ofLongueuil is expected to vote on banning pit bulls at its next city council session on Tuesday.