Projet Montral plans to act quickly to repeal 'wrong-headed' pit bull ban

The Projet Montraladministrationplansto repeal the city's breed-specific animal control bylaw, commonly known as the pit-bull ban, in favour of more effective and more "humane" legislation, according to councillor CraigSauv.

Sauv was appointed Monday by Mayor Valrie Plante to serve as an associate member of her newexecutive committee, responsible for citizens' services.

He told CBC that the administration plans to replace the "wrong-headed" bylaw with a "data-driven" solution.

"We heard loud and clear that citizens wanted a better bylaw," saidSauv.

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The bylaw passed in September 2016 prohibitsMontrealersfrom adopting new pit bull-type dogs, and people who already owned one before the bylaw went into effect had to geta special permit to keep their dog. Such dogsmust wear a muzzle in public, and large dogs of all breeds must also wear a harness.

Sauv said the new administrationwill consult pet owners and animal advocates such asthe SPCA, which has been a vocal critic of the Coderre administration's ban.

"We look forward to working with them," saidAlanna Devine, director of animal advocacy at the Montreal SPCA. "But we're going to hold them to their commitments."

Devine says that while coming up with a new bylaw is a priority, the SPCA wants to see the breed-specific language within theexistingbylaw repealed immediately.

"We do believe that part of whyProjetMontralwas elected is their commitment to important animal welfare issues," saidDevine.

Calgary model

Sauv said the city plans to look at the Calgary model one that focuses on owner education.

Calgary has some of the strictest animal regulations in North America, and some 90 per cent of dogs in the metro area are licensed.

In Calgary, there are hefty fines for owners who don't control their dogsand strict rules about licensing and harnessing.

Money raised through licensing is dedicated to education campaigns for pet owners.

JudithWeissmann, a veterinarian in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough, told CBC that "education is key."

She's all for repealing the bylaw and says the Calgary model is "gold standard"among experts.

"The most important part is the education campaign," she said. "In Calgary, compliance is very high. Owners of pets inCalgaryhave beenincentivizedto participate."

The municipal legislation doesn't include any breed-specific elements.

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"Pitbulls, they might have a marketing problem, but there are other dogs that can potentially be dangerous," saidSauv.