In the wake of a Montreal woman's death due to a "pit bull" attack, Montreal passed a law that sent a shock through social media. "Pit bull" is in quotations here, because although it was initially thought to be the popular bully breed, police now say they are still waiting for DNA test results. This rushed law not only will make it illegal for anyone to adopt or even acquire a new pit bull in Montreal, but if a pit bull is not grandfathered in they could face euthanasia, which would be paid for with tax payer funds. The city announced that the new rules, including the ban on new ownership of pit bull or pit bull-type dogs, will go into effect across all 19 Montreal boroughs starting Oct. 3.
MSN reported the following facts concerning what constitutes as a pit bull:
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The new bylaw will apply to all 19 boroughs and will define pit bulls as:
- Staffordshire bull terriers.
- American pit bull terriers.
- American Staffordshire terriers.
- Any mix with these breeds.
- Any dog that presents characteristics of one of those breeds.
Those who now own a dog of those breeds and already live in Montreal will have to acquire a special permit in order to keep their pet by Dec. 31, 2016.
Not only will this law automatically euthanize any dog with a known breed in a shelter, but it will also bring about the death of those with characteristics that could even somewhat be connected to a listed breed, such as a larger head.
According to Lee Greenwood, legislative attorney for Best Friends Animal Society, an American animal welfare organization, “However you parse it, this new law is absolutely going to lead to countless adoptable, friendly and loving dogs being killed, which is exactly why breed discriminatory laws like this are so harmful and why so many communities have recently opted to reject them.”
As a proud bully breed owner, I can inform you that my family owns a beautiful pit mix and a loving boxer mix. I can inform you that every pit bull I have ever met has been loving, kind, and gentle. For, with a good owner, any dog is as loving as can be. I have, however, met terrible small breeds and horrendously behaved dogs that are breeds generally viewed as safe and tame. I've seen labs that were terrible with children and human interaction in general, but I've seen my little brother use our "bully breed" dogs as pillows as they've slept along side them, happy as can be.
For it is the owner who makes the bad dog, not the breed. And to send these loving animals to a possible death sentence when they could one day bring a child joy and provide to a loving home is the true atrocity, not how a dog may look or stereotypically act.
Every reputable group that has examined the issue condemns breed-based dog laws, including the American Bar Association, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the United Kennel Club, and the American Kennel Club have come out against these types of discriminatory bans, stating that “research shows that bans on certain types of dogs are largely ineffective and often a waste of public resources,” in a response to a petition against breed-specific legislation.
All dogs can bite, big and small. The problem is never about the breed but about irresponsible caretakers.
I personally hope that this law is looked over once again and is instead replaced with a breed-neutral act that effects the owners as well as any possibly dangerous individual dog, not an entire breed.
NOTE: This article was written before the temporary suspension of the law on 10/3/2016. While the law is not in immediate effect at the moment, the issues laws similar to this pose are still very viable threats to the breed.
