The City of Montreal is asking citizens to weigh in on a new animal control bylaw after suspending the previous administration’s controversial pit bull ban.
The city is holding a series of consultations – the first of which was Saturday – and has created a website and an online survey to seek public input.
“We’re doing round tables trying to flesh out some of the dominant ideas, things Montrealers might want in priority and some of the best ideas to reduce the amount of bites and raise security for Montrealers,” said city councilor Craig Sauvé, who is moderating the discussions.
Sauvé says that a central theme of the discussions thus far has been the need for more education for dog
owners and families.
“People told me they want to see owners are prepared to have animals, that they’re going to be good owners and that they know how to be an owner,” Sauvé said.
The councilor says the city wants to draft a new bylaw that will focus on reducing dog bites without targeting any specific breed.
“There’s no proof that pit bulls are more aggressive that other dogs. All dogs can bite, all dogs can be potentially dangerous,” he said in an interview.
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante’s administration suspended the pit bull ban in December, calling it unscientific.
Sauvé says the city plans to have a new bylaw in place by summer.
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