MONTREAL – The Montreal SPCA released a statement following Montreal’s announcement to ban pit bull-type dogs and other dangerous breeds vowing to contest the proposed legislation.
In the statement, the SPCA criticizes Montreal’s move to implement breed-specific legislation calling it “discriminatory, vague and impossible to implement.”
“The consequences for our community if the proposed BSL (breed-specific legislation) goes forward would be enormous. It would mean the death of thousands of adoptable and well-behaved dogs simply because of the way that they look” said Nicholas Gilman, Executive Director of the Montreal SPCA in the statement.
“We are not going to let that happen here.”
Montreal’s Mayor Denis Coderre announced on Saturday the ban will be implemented in September.
READ MORE: Montreal to ban pit bulls and other dangerous breeds following fatal attack
Coderre says he’s still ironing out details, but dogs that already live in the city will be allowed to stay.
However, they’ll have to be sterilized and wear muzzles in public.
The ban comes after a 55-year-old Montreal woman was found dead after being attacked by a dog.
In the past week, Brossard and Québec City have also come out with their own pit bull bans.
READ MORE: Quebec City to ban pit bulls, province-wide legislation in the works
Quebec City’s legislation is the strictest so far, aiming to eliminate pit bull-type dogs completely from the territory by January 1st.
The Liberal government also announced it is working on province-wide legislation to deal with dangerous dogs.