Nova Scotia dog owners protest pit bull ban in Montreal

Hundreds of dog owners from across Nova Scotia gathered Saturdayin Halifaxto protest Montreal's controversial animal control bylaw that bans pit bull-type dogs.

The online group, Halifax Bully Breeds, started organizing the protest as soon as the legislation was passed on Tuesday.

The response was strong.Cornwallis Park in the peninsula's south-end was filled with mastiffs, pit bulls, bull terriers, and all dogs in between.

• Montreal target of boycotts, petitions and celebrity takedowns over pit bull ban

People offering help

Many held signs saying "Ban BSL" or breed specific legislation,and organizers handed out signs thatcould be hung around the dogs' necks.

Halifax Bully Breeds organizers say they're doing what they can when it comes to dealing with the fallout caused by the new rules in Montreal.

"We've been putting people in touch with the right organizations,"founder Danielle York said.

"Every time we get a message saying, 'hey, how can I help?' we point people in the right direction."

'Can't do that with dogs'

Montreal council voted 37/23 in support of the legislation, which makes owning and breeding pit bulls and several similar breeds illegal.

"I think that their council must not have any pet owners on it because someone who is sensible and who is familiar with animals could understand that you can't group one breed and paint it all with one brush," rally participant Barbara Hart said.

"You can't do that with people, you can't do that with dogs."

• Pit bulls being brought to Nova Scotia after Montreal ban

'Ban people that treat them mean'

The decision in Montreal came in the wake of an allegedpit bull attack several months ago that claimed a woman's life.

As a result, many dogs in Montreal shelters won't be eligible for adoption.

"I don't really think it's fair," pit bull breeder Carrie Ward said.

"We have a couple dogs that were abused. We brought them back home. They get along great with these guys. I think they should ban people that treat them mean."

In Nova Scotia,Guysborough and Clarks Harbour have similar breed-specific legislation, but people at Saturday's rally said those rules areseldom enforced.

Halifax Bully Breeds organizers said they're in the process of graduatingfrom an informal online group to a registered non-profit inthe coming months, with a focus on removing the stigma surrounding pit bull-type dog breeds.