No pit bull ban for Quebec, only restrictions, report recommends

The vast majority of pitbullowners in Quebec will be allowed to keep their dogs if the government adopts the recommendations of a report released on Wednesday.

The report comes froma working group on dangerous dogs, created last June by Public Safety MinisterMartin Coiteux, after the death of a Montreal woman attacked by a dog in her backyard.

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It offers 10 recommendations. Among them:

• Creating two categories of dogs, one for dangerous "pitbull-type" breeds, and another for potentially dangerous dogs weighing 20 kg or more and trained for protection.
• Compulsory registration for both types.
• An obligation to keep the dogs on a leash.
• Wearing a harness in public places.
• For pitbulls, an obligation to wear a muzzle in public places and sterilization.

Dangerous dogs will also be required to be kept behind a fence when at home.

To be labelled dangerous, a dog must have caused serious injuries to a person or an animal and have beenevaluated by a veterinarian.

However, the working group does recommend a ban on pit bullsfor peoplewho have committed certain types of crimes related to violence or cruelty to animals.

Ste-Adle widensban

Meanwhile, the town of Ste-Adle has expanded itspitbull ban to includealldangerous dogs, regardless of breed.

The Laurentian town changed its rules when it hired the SPCA to handle animal control.

"People weren't identifying their pitbulls as pitbulls," mayor Robert Milot said. "In their pet licence they classified them as mix breeds, so there was way of controlling what kind of dogs they were."

Under the new system, a dog that attacks another person or animal will be evaluated by SPCA veterinarians. If it's deemed to be dangerous, it will be euthanized.

"We're hoping the [Quebec public security] minister will adopt a pitbull ban. That will take care of one type of breed," Milot said.

"In the meantime, we banned all types of dangerous dogs. We are more protected than were before."