City in Quebec to revisit pit bull ban in wake of petition

The mayor of Chateauguay, Que., says the city will revisit a bylaw banning pit bulls and related dog breeds. (CTV)

The mayor of Chateauguay, Que., says the city will revisit a bylaw banning pit bulls and related dog breeds, after more than 2,000 people signed a petition to end the ban.

Dozens of protesters showed up at the Chateauguay city hall Monday evening to deliver the petition, but Mayor Nathalie Simon said she’s already on board to make changes.

“We’re going to refresh the bylaw and … act as we should in 2015,” she told CTV Montreal.

She agreed that the city’s pit bull ban is outdated and said that a revised bylaw would put the onus on dog owners.

That’s exactly what petitioners were hoping for.

“I think it’s a prejudicial law that needs to be changed and the onus has to be put on responsible ownership,” Susan Mackasey said outside city hall.

Calls to reverse the pit bull ban ramped up after a local resident was told to get rid of his Staffordshire bull terrier or have it euthanized.

Hugh McGurnaghan, who has been living in Chateauguay for 10 years, said a police officer approached him last month and told him he had a week to remove Murphy the dog.

McGurnaghan eventually worked out an agreement with the city that allowed him to bring Murphy back home. He said he’s optimistic about the bylaw change.

“I believe in responsible dog ownership 100 per cent,” he said.

The municipality will hold public consultations before a new bylaw is introduced.

With a report from CTV Montreal’s Derek Conlon