MONTREAL -- Lawyers were back in court today over Montreal's controversial pit bull measures.
City of Montreal lawyers were seeking leave to appeal a Quebec Superior Court decision that saw all pit bull-related measures suspended until a legal challenge of a municipal bylaw can be heard.
A Quebec Court of Appeal justice heard arguments from lawyers representing the city and the Montreal SPCA.
She will deliberate before rendering a decision on whether the city can appeal or if the lower-court suspension should remain in place until the case is heard on its merits.
Quebec Superior Court Justice Louis J. Gouin granted a stay last week, suspending several pit bull-related provisions of the city's animal control bylaw that came into effect Oct. 3.
The provisions would prohibit new pit bulls on the territory of Montreal and place severe restrictions on those already living there.
A lawyer for the City of Montreal argued Friday the pit bull law should be allowed and that it neither constitutes a "mistreatment" of animals nor creates an irreparable prejudice to owners.
The SPCA counters that a stay is necessary because it says that some elements of the proposed laws are discriminatory, unreasonable and penalize all pit bulls regardless of their behaviour.
During Friday's hearing, a lawyer for the city said Montreal appeared ready to make some concessions, such as promising that no dogs would be euthanized until the legal case is complete.
