The fight for animal rights is one that is fought everyday. Organizations such as People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) protest against household products that create their formulas by testing on innocent animals. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is an organization that advocates for the oppressed and abused animals found nationwide. The Humane Society International has just rescued more than 30 dogs from a farm in South Korea where they were going to be raised for food, according to The Washington Post. It seems like with animal advocates working so hard we wouldn’t have to worry about the safety of our four-legged friends. However, that is not the case in Montreal, Canada right now. In Montreal, the fight is just getting started.

The City Council of Montreal voted to pass a bill that would ban pit bulls from being adopted in the area, according to CBC News. This bill would allow people to keep their current pit bulls as pets, if they get a permit, keep them muzzled and on a 4-foot leash whenever they are outside, as explained by CBC News. That section of the bill may seem unnecessary, but the next half of the bill is increasingly upsetting and downright cruel. CBC News explains that the hundreds of pit bulls in the animal shelters of Montreal are unable to be adopted under the suggested bill. This means that hundreds of innocent animals will be euthanized simply because of their breed. The pit bulls that are awaiting loving homes are being sentenced to an unfair and unjust future. These animals deserve more than the unbelievable bill that Montreal is recommending.

Pit bulls have a well-known reputation for being strong and aggressive animals. Some have been trained to fight, abused and abandoned. However, this is no reason to take such drastic measures against these animals. Dogs of all breeds can unfortunately be treated in this manner. However, it is not the end for dogs that have been rescued and placed in shelters awaiting a second chance. Dogs are still animals that need love, care, affection and training in order to be the best they can be. That is impossible under a law such as this one that would end the lives of innocent animals.

Who are we to decide that hundreds of pit bulls don’t deserve the second chance a shelter can offer them? Who are we to sign bills that would end the lives of hundreds of pit bulls because of the reputation they have acquired? There will be dogs that could have been days away from finding their forever home. Pit bulls that are genuinely loving and gentle. Dogs deserve more from us. They need someone to speak for them, as they are helpless in Montreal and so many other areas that do not treat them ethically. Sign petitions to stop this bill. Write letters to shelters. Use your voice to stop this bill. We need to do everything we can to protect their second chance.