The pit bull debate has waged on for years. Pro-pit bull supporters argue the breed is no more dangerous than any other kind of dog, while opponents believe pit bulls are predisposed to violence. And while some insurance companies and apartment complexes have instituted anti-pit bull policies, local governments have stayed largely neutral in the debate. Until now.
Canadian officials have officially banned the breed from the city of Montreal. Starting this week, current pit bull owners will be required to register their dogs and pay for a permit that costs $115. The dogs will need to be vaccinated, sterilized and microchipped. When taken out in public, pit bulls will be required to wear muzzles and leashes no longer than four feet. No new pit bulls will be allowed into the city – dogs not grandfathered in are not welcome to Montreal.
This is some of the first breed specific legislation passed in Canada. The decision to ban pit bulls comes after a fatal mauling of a Quebec woman earlier this summer. Of course, experts are quick to point out that the exact breed of the dog responsible for the attack is still in question. The new ban in Montreal includes American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers and any combination of these breeds.
Opponents of the ban say that it is a looks-based ban that is completely arbitrary. It’s virtually impossible to tell what kind of breed a dog is simply based on looking at them, they say. A DNA test should be required to determine a dog’s breed or inheritance, some argue.
This experiment will certainly be interesting to watch. Whether or not you believe pit bulls are dangerous, this ban in Montreal will allow outsiders a front row seat to a world without the allegedly violent dogs. Will the rate of dog bites and dog attacks go down after the ban goes into place? Only time will tell.
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