As you may know, the City of Montreal recently proposed a new animal control bylaw following public consultations regarding animal management issues earlier this year. Council will vote on the bylaw on August 20, 2018. The city’s updated bylaw brings welcome change, such as the removal of any breed-specific provisions, in favour of stricter dangerous dog regulations. The draft bylaw, currently
available in French only, also aims to increase safety and reduce the number of biting incidents—and ultimately to make the owner more accountable.
While the new regulations are generally positive and seek to promote responsible dog ownership and protect dogs, CKC and Montreal residents are reaching out to Council to express concerns about select provisions that may adversely affect our members.
For example, the City has proposed a ban, effective January 1, 2020, on choke collars, prong collars, and e-collars—integral and effective tools used responsibly by dog exhibitors, trainers and evaluators. As we have seen with the recently suspended ban on these collars in Toronto, the decision to ban these collars is misguided and falls short of its intent to target irresponsible dog owners. CKC continues to support positive and humane training methods for dogs and believes that positive owner influence and education are paramount throughout the training process. Other provisions to note include mandatory harnesses or head halters for dogs 20 kg+ and limitations on number of pets owned.
We encourage Montreal members to
contact their local council members to have their say before Council votes on August 20 using
this template or your own.
Your voice is important, as it will help shape new animal control laws, in support of responsible dog owners and their purebred dogs.