Montreal's Pit Bull Ban Has Been Suspended — For Now

"We are happy but won't celebrate until we have a verdict."

<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Positive-Pit-Bull-282575600129/" target="_blank">The Positive Pit Bull</a><span></span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Positive-Pit-Bull-282575600129/" target="_blank">The Positive Pit Bull</a><span></span></p>

A judge in Quebec, Canada, has ordered Montreal's ban on pit bulls suspended immediately.

The bylaw made it illegal to own any dog the city deems a pit bull - loosely defined as American Staffordshire terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terriers or any mix of these breeds.

Reversed Rescue

But on Monday, the same day the law came into effect, Justice Louis Gouin ordered the ban suspended until he heard a court challenge from the Montreal SPCA.

Grouin will be making his decision on a longer, temporary suspension of the bylaw on Wednesday.

Reversed Rescue

The decision couldn't have come a moment sooner for dog owners in the city, as well as dogs considered to be pit bulls in its shelters. When it came into effect at midnight on Monday, dogs that fit the description were suddenly deprived of any chance of finding a home. In making it illegal for shelters to adopt out pit bull-type dogs, the city has effectively sentenced countless dogs to euthanasia.

Reversed Rescue

But even before the ban was passed by Montreal's city council last Tuesday, there had been a massive exodus of pit bulls from shelters.

One Last Chance Animal Rescue Team

Volunteers like Carolynn Williams of One Last Chance Animal Rescue Team have already sent dozens of dogs to rescues outside Quebec.

One Last Chance Animal Rescue Team

"We are happy but won't celebrate until we have a verdict," Williams told The Dodo about the temporary suspension of the bylaw.

But she's drawing hope from the fact so many people drove to Montreal to rescue a pit bull in advance of the ban.

Indeed, this fight isn't over. There are so many ways you can help these dogs.

Consider making a donation to the Montreal SPCA, the group leading the fight to have the ban overturned. You can also join the more than 300,000 people who have signed this petition.

To help support SPCA ADDITIONAL COMPELLING TEXT HERE you can make a donation here:

SPCA de Montréal on CrowdRise