Dogs are awesome. They are great companions, cuddlers and exercise buddies. They are the perfect soul mate because let's face it, humans are too high maintenance for our generation and dating is overrated. They know when you need a hug and generally understand when you need space. They are like four-legged mind readers with lots of hair and bad breath. So for all you dog lovers like myself, this news may spread anger throughout your entire body and steam to come out of your ears. The city councilors in Montreal have recently signed a death warrant for thousands of dogs in the city. You heard me, the death penalty for dogs.

On September 27, legislators voted in favor of breed-specific legislation, which will outlaw any dog that remotely resembles a pit bull. If all 7,000 owners of pit bulls want to keep their best friend alive, they must meet a very strict set of rules and conditions. Owners will have until Dec. 31st to submit a criminal background check and pay $150 for a special permit. That’s not all, owners must sterilize, vaccinate, and microchip their dogs; as well as keep their dog muzzled and on a four-foot leash at all times. Last time I checked slavery was abolished, lets not relive it with these poor animals. Many low-income people in Montreal cannot possibly afford the extensive criteria necessary to own their dogs; therefore, those dogs will be taken and killed.

This ban will directly affect those dogs that are labeled as “pit bulls” in shelters. This new ban states that no dog considered a pit bull can be adopted from Montreal shelters. Seriously? Give the dogs a fighting chance. Their lives are already on the line when they enter a shelter, you are seriously going to give up all their hope and kill them off?

The mayor, Denis Coderre, told reporters shortly after the vote, “I have a responsibility as the mayor of Montreal to protect the citizens.” I’m sorry, what? Protect the citizens from four-legged animals? Last time I checked, people are getting away with rape, mass shootings are rising, and plowing trucks into groups of innocent people seems to be normal. Sorry, Mayor Coderre, there are many more extreme issues in this world that citizens need to be protected from than dogs. Also not to mention the cost of euthanasia for that many dogs is going to hit the city hard. If you have those funds why not donate the money to cancer research? So happy to see your priorities are straight.

The legislation has not officially passed yet, but when it does, the dogs will all be euthanized. Montreal will be a city for doggie murder. Any pit bull without a dedicated owner will be immediately taken away its chance of adoption and be killed. Protesters say that the city should be targeting dangerous dogs and irresponsible owners, opposed to their breed. Taking away pits will lead to a domino effect where bad owners will get a different type of breed and they will take the place of pits.

Although rescue groups are working around the clock to save these dogs, it is not possible to gather every single one and transfer them out of Montreal. The lack of funds and volunteers makes it impossible. Rescue volunteers, including Carolynn Williams, said “it’s a proven fact that is doesn’t work. They’re just going to force people to hold them illegally which will create more problems.”

Many citizens, local charities, and worldwide organizations have begun to argue this ban. A local veterinarian in Montreal, Karen Jay Goldenberg, said, “I, professionally, morally, ethically am not required to euthanize those animals.” The SPCA of Montreal, the group that is in charge of the shelters and animal services in Montreal, has said that they will not hesitate to discontinue their contract with the city if the ban is finalized.

This ban was suggested after an unusual amount of dog attacks in the city. Last June a woman was killed by a dog in her backyard, however, no one can confirm what breed the dog was. So what do they decide to do? Blame it on the pit bulls.

Rumors are spreading fast that if this Montreal ban is passed, then similar bans will quickly spread throughout Quebec and who knows where else it could lead. A town in Michigan began a similar ban months ago. Pit bull advocates have begun a petition against this ban and people are allowed to write letters to the city discussing the ban. If my town were to ever ban me from owning my beloved pit bull Duke, I would not hesitate to move to Hawaii if that’s what it takes to save his life. It is very sad that bans like these are forcing to people to choose their home or their dog’s life.

Pit bulls are already the most discriminated dog in the entire world. For example, I am currently in search of an apartment and had planned to bring my pit bull with me; however, no apartments will allow pit bulls to live on their property. It is not the breed of the dog, rather the way they were raised. Any dog can be raised to be aggressive and mean. Pit bulls have the build and muscle composition to be used as aggressive fighting dogs, which has now lead to the stereotype that all pits are aggressive.

So who’s ready to steal a few buses and take a road trip to Montreal to save these innocent dogs? Pit lives matter.

Update: The ban has been put on hold amid protests.