QUEBEC CITY – The Liberal government is working on province-wide legislation to deal with dangerous dogs, but in Quebec city the mayor is not waiting on provincial legislation.
Regis Lebaulme announced his city will ban pit bulls outright inside city limits beginning Jan. 1 of next year.
That gives just over 6 months for owners of pit bull breeds to get rid of their pets. This is a much stricter approach than other communities have announced.
READ MORE: Brossard banning pit bulls in response to attack on 8-year-old girl
Municipal Affairs Minister Martin Coiteux said he’s not discouraging communities from voting on their own bylaws, but insists a provincial law will prevail. He’s currently studying the issue and looking at how other provinces have dealt with dog bites.
“What we want to have is a common approach throughout the territory of Quebec, but taking into account that we have some specificities here and there. This is why we’re working with municipalities, the small, the medium-sized, and the big ones and also with veterinarians who will bring some scientific expertise,” he said.
READ MORE: Dog attack victim calls for pit bull ban in wake of Quebec woman’s death
Coiteux gave a very specific timeline: he wants to have recommendations in hand by the end of August. He could table legislation as early as this fall.
WATCH BELOW: Pit bulls in Quebec
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