Controversial BAN on owning pit bull dogs causes outrage from animal rights groups

A controversial ban on pit bulls has come into effect in Montreal sparking threats of a boycott by animal rights groups.

The Canadian city is facing a court battle with the Montreal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to stop the ban.

The amendment to existing dangerous dog laws was introduced after a 55-year-old woman from the city was mauled to death in her backyard by a neighbour’s dog in June last year.

Christiane Vadnais was killed in the Pointe-aux-Trembles suburb by a dog police believe to have been a pit bull.

However, officers are still waiting for the results of a DNA test to confirm the breed of the dog.

The change to the law was brought forward following the attack, but critics of the ban say it is far too wide-reaching.

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Under the new bylaw pit bulls are defined as: Staffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terriers and American Staffordshire terriers.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre (Alex Guibord)

The ban also includes any mix with these breeds and, controversially, any dog that presents characteristics of one of those breeds.

New ownership of pit bulls is now banned and existing pit bulls have to be licensed by the end of the year.

“We’re simply not going to participate in a by-law we feel is not legal in terms of violating people’s fundamental rights and basic principles of administrative law,“ said Alanna Devine, director of animal advocacy at SPCA.

The Quebec Order of Veterinarians and other animal welfare groups are supporting the SPCA’s opposition, according to the BBC.

The move has made international news, with celebrities including the singer Cyndi Lauper and the actress Pamela Anderson speaking out against the ban.

However, supporters of the ban say the breed is dangerous.

"My duty as mayor of Montreal is making sure I am working for all Montrealers,” said Denis Coderre. “And I am there to make sure they feel safe and that they are safe.”

In the UK, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, there are four banned breeds: the pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo Argentino and fila Brasileiro.

(Credit: Caroline Brinkmann / imageBROKER/REX/Shutterstock)