Montreal SPCA is calling people on the phone and spreading misinformation about Montreal bylaws.
The Montreal SPCA is calling over 200 people who complained about Sky being killed and the SPCA is answering with misinformation about the Sky case. For one, the SPCA are claiming that AVVA refused to rescue Sky after hearing about the bite case. But according to AVVA, it appears they likely were going to take him. The bigger piece of misinformation is the rumour that Sky, after a Level Four bite, would have to go to Proanima for months, or be euthanized by Montreal SPCA. Neither is true. Sky would have been considered a Potentially Dangerous Dog, and would have been allowed to be adopted out, as long as a new custodian would follow the muzzle and leash rules for a Potentially Dangerous Dog. And he would have been evaluated at the SPCA.
Here is an AI summary of the bylaws regarding dog bites. The hold is only for a short amount of time:
No, your dog does not have to spend months at a shelter like Proanima while a bite report is being processed. In fact, under Ville de Montréal's animal control regulations, the standard procedure allows the dog to remain at home with its owner during the evaluation process, provided specific safety measures are strictly followed.
A dog is typically only seized or kept long-term at a shelter if the owner refuses to cooperate with safety orders, if the dog is deemed an immediate, severe public threat, or if a court order is required due to severe negligence or criminal offences.
How the Montreal Bite Report Process Actually Works
When a bite is reported to the city (by a doctor, veterinarian, victim, or the owner), the process generally unfolds as follows:
Reporting Requirement:
The dog owner is legally obligated to report the bite to the city by calling 311 within 72 hours of the incident.
Home Confinement & Safety: While the city processes the report and schedules an evaluation, you are ordered to keep your dog securely confined at your residence.
Muzzling Mandate: Your dog is not allowed to leave your property unless it is on a short leash and wearing a basket muzzle. It must also wear the muzzle in any common areas of your property (like a shared backyard or apartment hallway).
Veterinary Evaluation: The city will order a professional veterinary evaluation to assess the dog’s level of dangerousness. This assessment determines whether the dog will be classified as "potentially dangerous" or if specific risk-reduction measures (like mandatory training) must be put in place.
When Would a Dog Stay at a Shelter?
A prolonged stay at an animal shelter like Proanima or the SPCA during an investigation usually only occurs under exceptional circumstances:
Owner Non-Compliance: If the owner refuses to muzzle the dog, keep it securely confined, or comply with the mandatory veterinary evaluation.
Severe/Fatal Attacks: In cases of severe bodily harm or a fatal attack, the city may immediately seize the dog under provincial safety laws.
Legal Seizures: If animal protection officers seize a dog due to cruelty, extreme neglect, or severe public safety violations, legal proceedings to determine ownership or public safety outcomes can sometimes drag on for months.
For a standard bite report where the owner is cooperative, the dog stays in your care at home under the temporary muzzling rules while the city resolves the case.