MONTREAL - The Montreal boroughs of Riviere-des-Prairies/Pointe-aux-Trembles and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve are considering a ban on pit bill terriers.
It's a rule that's already been in place for several years in Lachine, Outremont and St. Laurent.
St. Laurent borough mayor Alan DeSousa says the ban on certain breeds of dog has been well-liked by residents.
"It works relatively well. It does provide a certain degree of security for the residents in our community and so far, so good," said DeSousa.
However the Montreal SPCA opposes bans on any breed of dog, and refuses to work in boroughs that have implemented a pit bull ban.
Nicholas Gilman says pit bull bans are ineffective and expensive.
"The SPCA chooses not to work with those boroughs for animal control services if they have breed-specific bans," said Gilman.
The animal welfare agency says municipalities end up spending money to seize dogs and take owners to court, money that it would prefer be spent on spay and neuter programs.
The borough of Riviere-des-Prairies/Pointe-aux-Trembles is also considering a bylaw that would require pit bulls to be muzzled at all times.
Alanna Devine, the SPCA director, says that idea is wrong-headed.
"A muzzling bylaw is simply perpetuating the idea these dogs are dangerous and and so the wrong kinds of people are going to want to continue to have them," said Devine.
Devine, who owns a pit bull herself, says problem dogs ultimately come from problem owners.
The Riviere-des-Prairies/Pointe-aux-Trembles borough will debate the matters in July.
