Death Sentence: Montreal Orders Ban of All Pitbulls in the City -- Thousands to be Killed

A new bylaw has ordered pit bulls and any pit bull type dogs (i.e., American Staffordshire terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers and American pit bull terriers) to be banned in Montreal. According to Washington Post, the bylaw, proposed by the Montreal mayor's office, was voted upon by city council, 37-23, in favor if the bylaw.

As reported by the Montreal Gazette, under the new bylaw which will take effect across the boroughs beginning Oct. 3, adopting a new pit bull in the city is illegal. Whereas for those who already owned pit bulls, they are mandated to secure a permit until Dec. 31 to legally keep their pit bulls. For owners who would not comply, their pit bull will be put down.

All dog and cat owners are also mandated to secure permits and are required to renew the permits each year. Those who would not comply will be fined a minimum of $300.

Montreal Gazette noted that with the new bylaw signed, owners of some 7,000 dogs will be affected.
"My duty as mayor of Montreal is making sure I am working for all Montrealers," said Denis Coderre, Montreal's Mayor, in an interview with CBS. "And I am there to make sure they feel safe and that they are safe."

As posted on the website, the new bylaw was enacted to "ensure harmonious cohabitation between residents and pets and ensure residents' safety."

Global News reports that under Montreal's breed-specific legislation, pit bulls are now ordered to be muzzled whenever outside.

In an interview with one of the many pit bull owners in the city, Erika Ashley Matta expressed her disagreement toward the bylaw saying that instead of creating such bylaw targeting dogs, they should focus more on the human owners as their upbringing greatly influences a dog's behavior.

"Because of this new law any pit bull or mix will have to be muzzled and live life like a prisoner," she said. "No more playing ball in a park or running around catching sticks."

The legislation was brought into action four months after the 55-year-old Christiane Vadnais of Montreal was mauled to death by a dog later on identified as a pit bull.