Pit bull ban in Chateauguay to be reviewed by city

The Quebec city of Chateauguay has agreed to review its bylaw banning pit bulls in light of a petition signed by more than 2,100 people. 

An encounter between Chateauguay resident Hugh-Patrick McGurnaghan and a police officer helped inspire the petition. 

Murphy is a sweetheart. When I look into his eyes, I know he's a good soul.-Hugh-Patrick McGurnaghan, pit bull owner

​McGurnaghan owns a 10-year-old pit bull named Murphy, who, he says, never causes any trouble.

"Murphy is a sweetheart. When I look into his eyes, I know he's a good soul," he said.

McGurnaghan said he never had any problems with the city until July.

"A police officer entered the parking lot and ... informed me that I had seven days to get rid of the dog, at the end of which he was going to come to my house and search it for the dog, and if the dog was still there, he was taking it out to be euthanized."

McGurnaghan said he was devastated by what the officer told him.

His confrontation with the police officer caught the attention of Susan Mackasey, who read about the incident on social media.

Mackasey doesn't have a pit bull of her own, but she was inspired to start a petition against the bylaw.

"I did some research. To me, it was very prejudicial and barbaric and didn't make any sense to me," Mackasey said.

She thinks the city should put the onus on dog owners to exercise responsible pet ownership rather than instituting a blanket ban against a certain type of dog.

Chateauguay Mayor Nathalie Simon agrees the city should review the law carefully.

In the meantime, Simon said, Murphy the pit bull is safe.