Last week, the Montreal City Council voted in favor of a law banning pit-bulls from the city. That's right, pit bulls. As unusual as the ban sounds, it has caused a social uproar among dog-lovers and enthusiasts alike.

In June 2016, a Montreal woman was bitten and killed by an aggressive dog, assumed to be a pit bull. After responding to the scene, police shot and killed the dog, unable to identify its breed. This incident initiated the legislative action.

Although the actual breed of the dog involved in the attack is still unknown, the Montreal City Council voted to enact a law that puts restrictions on those who own pit bulls, while deciding the fate of pit bulls currently without a home in an animal shelter.

According to the legislation, any dog that is a pit-bull or resembles a pit-bull is at risk. These breeds include American pit-bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American bullies, and any mix of the four breeds. In simpler terms, any dog that looks like or acts like a pit bull is deemed as such.

To add to the specifications, the law requires those that already own a pit bull (or the like) to pay higher fees to properly registers their pets, go through criminal background checks, and to keep a muzzle on the dogs while they are outside, even in private and fenced property.

In addition to the pit bull breeds who have homes, those in shelters are also effected. The legislation prevents Montreal residents from adopting or buying pit bulls breeds to add to their homes. The main argument relies on these dogs, for the more time they spend in various shelters, the greater their chance becomes of being euthanized.

Unfortunately, this legislation excessively demonstrates the main stereotypes associated with the American pit bull breeds. Pit bulls are synonymous with being overly aggressive and monstrous in some situations, However, not all pit bulls/ pit bull mixes end up this way. In reality, pit bulls are no more aggressive or terrorizing than any other dog breed on the market.

As a medium-sized dog with the potential to love and be friendly, it's a shame that Montreal would place a ban on/ potentially euthanize one particular breed of dog. As a dog-lover, I wish I could do more to help the dogs who did nothing wrong, but are facing the consequences of one singular action.

As of now, the Montreal City Council postponed the start of the bill, which was originally planned to take effect on October 3, 2016. The newly proposed date is October 5, 2016. However, the legislation is under review after numerous complaints from angry owners and animal rights activists. Only time will tell what the Council officially decides.