Montreal SPCA adopts temporary 'placement protocol' following pit bull ruling
All dogs weighing 10 kg and over will be transferred to shelters or homes outside the city
The Montreal SPCA is implementing a temporary "placement protocol" which they say will "ensure the welfare of the dogs currently under our care" now that the Quebec Court of Appeal has lifted the suspension of pit bull restrictions in Montreal's animal control bylaw.
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Three justices ruled Friday that courts must err on the side of assuming laws are adopted in the public interest.
Now the SPCA says it is taking temporary measures, effective immediately, in response to the "discriminatory and punitive provisions of the City of Montreal's by-law."
The shelter sent out a news release Saturday announcing that all dogs weighing 10 kg and over will be either transferred to rescue groups outside of Montreal, put in foster care or made available for adoption to citizens residing outside of Montreal.
"Because the definition of those dogs whose adoption is prohibited in Montreal by the city's by-law is so vague and broad, ... it is impossible for us to determine which dogs are targeted," wrote SPCA spokesperson Anita Kapuscinska.
City agrees to some exceptions
As part of the appeal court's decision, the City of Montreal has agreed not to apply certain provisions of its bylaw including euthanizing any pit bull-type dogs, unless they are deemed dangerous or at-risk, and allowing pit bulls to be put up for adoption as long as they are destined for homes or shelters outside of the city.
Exceptions were advised by the appeal court panel, which ruled that they were the provisions in the bylaw most likely to cause "irreparable harm."