It was three months ago that a woman was brutally attacked – and subsequently died – from what was allegedly a pit bull (police are yet to confirm the DNA).

Following the incident, her family did everything they could to get the breed of dog banned in their home city of Montreal, and the law came into effect on Tuesday.

A contentious decision, the law will include a ban on new ownership of pit bulls and pit bull-type dogs.

Many people have opposed the law, calling it outrageous, and animal advocates have pointed out that similar bylaws in other cities have quickly been repealed.

The dogs which have banned include:

• Staffordshire bull terriers
• American pit bull terriers
• American Staffordshire terriers
• Any mix with these breeds
• Any dog that presents characteristics of one of those breeds

Those who already own a dog of such a type will have to acquire a special permit by year end.

The law has also gone so far as to put aggressive dogs into two categories: at-risk and dangerous. Dangerous dogs are those that have killed someone or are deemed dangerous by an expert. If your dog is deemed dangerous the city will be able to act in ways that are lawful.

Honestly, owners should be deemed responsible for such incidences as pit bulls are not the only type of dogs to be at such a high risk of violence.

[source:cbc]