The city of Montreal is getting tough on dog owners.
Beginning Monday, canine inspectors are patrolling the city's boroughs to check for leash infractions and ensure all dogs have registration tags.
Anie Samson, VP of Montreal’s executive committee, said out of the approximately 145,000 dogs in Montreal, only 14 per cent are registered.
“Eighty-six percent of the owners don't have the permit and this is an obligation for the past years, so it's not new for this year, but nobody was taking that seriously,” said Samson.
The legislation is now being proactively enforced as a result of the fatal dog attack last month in Pointe aux Trembles.
“They will do a round, so in the morning, at night, on the weekend, where the people are with their dog, and they’re going to check if they have their licence. I think it's time now to give out some fines,” said Samson.
Fines can run as high as $250; a dog licence costs $25.
Montreal's SPCA supports vigorous enforcement, but also wants a global strategy to address responsible dog ownership.
“We also want to see the city take steps to really regulate breeding of dogs, regulate how animals can be kept, regulate permanent chaining of dogs,” said Alanna Devive, director of animal advocacy at the SPCA. “We know that permanently chained dogs are three times more likely to attack.”
The SPCA is not in favour of breed-specific legislation like pit bull bans.
Some type of so-called “dangerous dog” legislation is expected in Montreal in September.
