The city's executive committee adopts the By-law on the control of domestic animals and the By-law banning caleches

MONTRÉAL, June 14, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Craig Sauvé, the councillor responsible for services to citizens and mobility, announced that the city's executive committee has adopted the By-law on the control of domestic animals and the By-law banning caleches within Montréal city limits.

"I'm extremely pleased to present two new municipal by-laws aimed at ensuring the safety of our citizens and the welfare of their animals. The harmonious cohabitation between the public and pets is a priority issue for our administration and a subject of concern for Montréal residents. For that reason, the by-law on domestic animals draws on best practices in animal control. It's also the reason that we consulted citizens last winter. It was essential to put forward a by-law that addresses their concerns," said Mr. Sauvé.

By-law on the control of domestic animals
The chief elements of the new animal control by-law are as follows:

• Measures set out in the by-law in regards to biting cases will now apply to attempted biting and/or attacks as well, and to behaviours likely to pose a threat to public safety. This will allow the city to take proactive action to prevent biting when a dog demonstrates aggressive behaviour;
• Revocation of and refusal to deliver a permit to a person found guilty:
• of an infraction under the Animal Welfare and Safety Act or articles in the Criminal Code pertaining to animal cruelty;
• Three infractions under the municipal by-law for not keeping a dog on a leash;
• For potentially dangerous dogs:
• revocation of and refusal to deliver a permit to a person found guilty of an infraction under the Criminal Code in connection with violence;
• increase in the number of conditions to comply with for owners of this type of dog;
• Obligation to keep dogs weighing 20 kg and more on a harness or a leash maintained;
• Certain methods of restraint are forbidden:
• The use of a choke chain with spikes, or an electric choke chain (as of January 1, 2020);
• Keeping an animal attached using a restraint device for more than three hours;

Other measures also included:

• Obligation for pet shops to sell pets (cats, dogs and rabbits) solely from shelters as of July 1, 2019;
• Mandatory sterilization of all dogs, cats and rabbits as of January 1, 2020, including those put up for adoption by shelters;
• The By-law calls for a progressive scale in the fine amounts, based on the seriousness of the infraction ($300 / $500 / $750). Exemplary fines are stipulated, particularly for infractions that pose a threat to public safety.

"The main objective of this by-law is to increase safety and reduce the number of biting incidents. The rules for obtaining and keeping a permit have also been tightened up, and all dogs will be given the same consideration. A dog that behaves aggressively, regardless of the breed, may be subject to a behavioural assessment. The by-law also sets out provisions intended to make pet owners more accountable," added Craig Sauvé.

In conjunction with this by-law, education and awareness promotion also play an important role, and the city is taking action on several fronts: awareness campaign, biting prevention workshops, animal sterilization pilot project for low-income households, etc.

By-law banning caleches within Montréal city limits
Mr. Sauvé also presented the By-law banning caleches within Montréal city limits. This by-law is intended to further protect the health and welfare of horses.

"The by-law banning caleches is rooted in the many complaints from citizens and the fact that in spite of stricter oversight of regulations governing caleches, complaints did not stop and unfortunate incidents involving caleche horses continued to occur. These findings and the experience of numerous animal control actors concerned with the welfare of these horses, both during and after work hours, were enough to justify the ban on caleche activities. The by-law comes into force on December 31, 2019, which gives caleche operators a transition period of more than a year," concluded Mr. Sauvé.

These new by-laws will come into force after their adoption by city council.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Cabinet de la mairesse et du comité exécutif