Judicial review of Montreal pit bull bylaw to be heard Monday
Animal welfare agency wants sections on 'pit bull-type dogs' suspended and declared illegal
A judicial review of Montreal's new animal control bylaw has been pushed back until Monday, the same day the new rules are scheduled to go into effect.
The SPCA argued in court Thursday that the review should be heard as soon as possible, with the aim of having the sections targeting "pit bull-type dogs" suspended and ultimately declared illegal.
Superior Court Justice Claude Champagne said he will hear the case Monday morning, adding that he didn't find there would be irreparable damage in waiting four days, as SPCA lawyers had argued.
One criteria for a suspension is the urgency of the matter — and SPCA lawyers say that's the case because the bylaw puts dogs lives at risk.
The new regulations, which will ban new ownership of pit bulls and pit-bull type dogs, was passed by city council on Tuesday.
Animal rights advocates have criticized the bylaw, pointing out that many cities that have implemented similar legislation have since repealed the laws.
A spokesperson for the City of Montreal said the municipality has a "well-recognized" right to pass animal control regulations, especially where it concerns the safety of Montrealers.