Proposed Montreal dog bylaw aims to euthanize dangerous dogs

With the new bylaw, expected to come into effect this September 26,  the city is about to ban all new pit bulls from its 19 boroughs.

According to the lawmakers, pit bulls are categorised as Staffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers and any mix with these breeds.

People who already own these kinds of dogs and live in the city of Montreal would now require a permit to keep their pet.

The bylaw also categorises two types of dogs, irrespective of pit bulls as at risk and dangerous.

At risk dogs are those that had exhibited aggressive behaviour, such as biting someone or made an attempt to bite. Dangerous dogs are defined as those that have killed someone or are certified dangerous by an expert. 

As per the new rules, if a dog is classified dangerous, a euthanasia order will be issued for it.

Mayor Denis Coderre said it isn’t after a specific breed of dog but a type of dog which is likely to harm people. He added, “If you conform to the conditions, if you do what you have to and respect the procedure, you can keep your dog.”

Similar rules were taken up by some municipalities across Quebec with respect to pit bulls and any other dangerous dogs, after two publicised attacks happened last year.

Eight-year-old Vanessa Biron, was bitten by a pit bull in 2015 at a Brossard Park, leaving one side of her face paralyzed.

Again, this summer, 55-year-old Christiane Vadanis was mauled in her backyard allegedly by a pit bull or a boxer.

While factions of the society are feeling safe about the ban on pit bulls and euthanizing the dangerous dogs, some are fighting against it.

Amy Vasilou, a Montreal-based dog owner vent out her anguish on social media. “Totally ridiculous. Coderre does not care about what his citizens have to say. Banning is not the answer. He started this after that poor lady died in the South Shore but it was not even a pit bull but a boxer,” she wrote.

Ottawa-based dog owner Danielle Lindsay Fam Jam said, “A specific breed isn't the problem. Owners who don't train or socialize their dog and people who train dogs to fight are the issue.”

She further explained, “If you beat a child every day and teach them to hurt others, don't be surprised when they grow up to hurt or kill a person.”

Contrarily, Rupali Sethi, a homemaker and a mother of a toddler thinks the step is appropriate. “I do not really support killing of dogs but those which are at risk should be separated from the rest for the safety of people. When I take my child out to the park, I am more concerned about my child’s safety and would not want any accident to take place.”

Reporting by Debarati Mukherjee/IBNS

Images: Wikipedia/ 1. Pit bull dog  2. Mayor Denis Coderre