MONTREAL (NBC) — Montreal’s City Council has voted to ban pit bulls in the city.
Mayor Denis Corderre says his administration is taking a balanced approach between placing reasonable restrictions on current owners and keeping citizens safe.
New rules, including a restriction on leash length and a requirement that pit bulls wear muzzles, take effect next week.
The original draft of the bylaw named four breeds collectively known as pit bulls.
But the amendment passed creates special regulations for three breeds – American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Terrier – along with crossbreeds of those dogs or dogs that share the same physical characteristics.
Prior to the meeting, dozens of people protested against the proposal.
Some agreed with some of the measures but believe the city is going too far.
Montreal officials pointed to data collected in the 362 serious dog bites that required police intervention over the past year and a half.
Since Jan. 1, 2015, 137 people and animals have been badly injured or killed by pit bulls or pit bull crossbreeds.
Pit bulls – just 4.6 percent of registered dogs in Montreal – are responsible for almost 38 percent of serious dog-related injuries.