Proposed pit bull legislation in Boucherville stirs controversy

BOUCHERVILLE – Yet another municipality is putting pit bulls in the crosshairs.

This time it’s Boucherville and that is not going over well with dog lovers of all breeds.

Dog trainers and educators like Stéphane Fiset mobilized to denounce the city’s proposal to ban pit bulls from dog parks and force them to be muzzled in public.

“This is a peaceful protest we will be taking a 2.2 km walk around to show that dogs are not dangerous when they are properly educated,” said Fiset.

READ MORE: Brossard banning pit bulls in response to attack on 8-year-old girl

Protest organizers feel that the city is missing an opportunity to get at the heart of the matter.

“One of the solutions that has been proposed would be a permit to own a dog, that would require you to pass a couple hours of classes,” said Fiset. “[Classes] could remove almost all of the problems because people would be able to read their dogs to know when the dog is uncomfortable.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "One of the solutions that has been proposed would be a permit to own a dog, that would require you to pass a couple hours of classes," said Fiset. "[Classes] could remove almost all of the problems because people would be able to read their dogs to know when the dog is uncomfortable."

Local veterinarian Véronique Morency is marching to prevent legislation against pit bulls.

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She also has a pit bull type dog.

Since the incident on June 9 in Montreal where a woman was fatally mauled by a pit bull it’s been difficult to be seen in public with her dog Debbie.

READ MORE: Pit bull guardian concerned about looming legislation

The Montreal incident left Lee Frappier, a pit bull type guardian, distraught but she feels the focus should not be on the dog alone.

“I don’t think it’s the breed, I really think it’s the relationship we have around dogs, the owner’s responsibility has a major role to play in that,” said Frappier.

Morency believes judging a dog by its breed is pointless but she understands why people who have been bitten by pit bulls are afraid of them.

“I have been bitten by a German Shepherd and every time I see a German Shepherd I’m a bit scared but you have to take the time to see if the dog is a good dog or not, it’s not because you have been bitten by one race that all the race is bad.”

Before Boucherville implements new laws Lee Frappier hopes they’ll notice their plea.

“Listen to us and listen to dog owners that do have good dogs and do want to take care of them properly.”

Boucherville council is expected to make a decision on how to deal with what has become a pit bull problem in the province by July 5.