Montreal Temporarily Suspends Pit Bull Ban

Following legal action by the SPCA to halt Montreal's breed-specific legislation banning pit bulls, Quebec Superior Court Justice Louis Gouin has temporarily suspended the law until Wednesday, Oct. 5. The SPCA launched its challenge to prevent what it's calling "chaos" as owners and shelters deal with the ramifications of the legislation passed last week.

As a result of the temporary halt residents of Montreal can continue to adopt pit bulls and pit bull type dogs, and current owners can avoid muzzling their dogs when outside. In 2009, a similar challenge was up before the Supreme Court to appeal Ontario's pit bull ban. That challenge was dismissed but the lawyers for Montreal's SPCA are arguing that there are new clauses in this latest legislation that are different from Ontario's BSL. READ MORE: Why Pit Bull Bans Are Bullshit Lawyers for the SPCA are arguing that parts of new bill are vague and confusing, including the clause that bans not just pit bulls but pit bull crosses or dogs that resemble pit bulls. They argue this leaves identification up to interpretation, putting dog owners in vulnerable positions. Another clarification Gouin is asking the city for is in regards to when dogs need to be muzzled. The current law asks for pit bull-type dogs to be muzzled at all times, which Gouin pointed out would be impossible given a dog's need to eat and drink water. A lawyer for the city pointed out the language implied that the muzzles only needed to be worn when dogs are outside but that the city will update that language on its website to make that clear. Justice Gouin will make his final decision on Wednesday, but regardless of his ruling a group of lawyers and animal behaviour experts are preparing their own separate court challenge. Meanwhile, the nearby municipality of Beaconsfield passed their own resolution last week that states all their animals are "sentient beings and deserve protection." In sharp contrast to Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre's vow to ban dangerous breeds, Beaconsfield's mayor told CBC there should be strict rules around dangerous dogs, but is against breed-specific legislation. Follow Amil on Twitter.