Montreal moves to reform controversial pit bull-type breed ban

Just over one month after the municipal elections, the City of Montreal is taking steps to reform the former administration’s pit bull-type breed ban by suspending some elements of the bylaw.

READ MORE: Montreal SPCA concerned about Quebec dangerous dog bill

Councillor Craig Sauvé is in charge of animal management for the city.

READ MORE: Quebec government to ban pit bull-types under dangerous dog legislation

In a statement Friday, Sauvé said Montreal will only be issuing one type of dog licence moving forward — and it won’t be breed specific.

READ MORE: Quebec government working group recommends most pit bull owners keep dogs

“The special provisions in the Animal Control Regulations for the control of dangerous dogs, regardless of breed, are maintained in their entirety for the safety of the public. Montreal is a welcoming city for pet owners and will remain so,” Sauvé said.

“We will continue to improve the regulation on animal control in order to provide Montreal with the best possible services in this area.”

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The reversal is being welcomed by the Montreal SPCA.

READ MORE: Police say they’ll withdraw ticket to homeless man; dog is not a pit-bull type

“This is the first step in suspending all of the provisions that target dogs that happen to look a certain way,” said SPCA advocacy director Alanna Devine.

“There is no correlation between what a dog looks like and their behaviour.”

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She said former mayor Denis Coderre‘s administration targeted specific types of dogs, which was “wholly unscientific,” and “it doesn’t do anything to reduce the risk of dog bites.”

WATCH BELOW: Montreal’s pit bull ban

2:04 Debates rages about Quebec’s proposed ban on ‘dangerous’ dogs

• Debates rages about Quebec’s proposed ban on ‘dangerous’ dogs
• Montreal pit bull registration deadline
• Deadline looming for owners of pit bull-like dogs to obtain special permit
• Montreal pit bull ban: appeal request heard in court
• Beaconsfield passes resolution opposing pit bull ban
• Lasalle woman credits pit bull for saving her life
• How to receive a special permit to keep your pit bull-type dog in Montreal
• Moving pit bulls out of Quebec
• Montreal city council votes in favour of pit bull ban

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The organization was quick to congratulate Valérie Plante on her election win on Nov. 5.

READ MORE: No charges for Montreal pit bull owner involved in fatal attack

“The Montreal SPCA is pleased that a party whose agenda gives prominence to animal issues has been brought to power,” wrote the organization minutes after the election results came in.

“This is the first time that animal welfare issues have become so important in public debate.”

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Pit bulls in particular were one of the main election issues throughout the campaign, and Plante’s party, Projet Montréal, ran on a promise to repeal the city’s year-old pit bull ban if elected.

READ MORE: Laval animal bylaw targets unchipped, unsterilized dogs, aims to hold owners responsible

The new version of the animal by-law will be presented in the new year.