Saskatoon SPCA working with Montreal animal groups after pitbull ban

Saskatoon may soon be home to a few dogs with french names.

The local SPCA said they’re working with their partners in Montreal to see whether they can take some pitbulls in after the city passed a ban on the breed this week.

“If we are able to help some of these dogs, we will do that,” said Patricia Cameron, executive director of the Saskatoon SPCA.

Cameron didn’t provide numbers on how many dogs, if any, they would be able to take in. She said their first priority is animals in the Saskatoon area.

Montreal SPCA is in the process of getting pitbulls with positive behaviour and health assessments out of the city. They’re working with other humane societies and rescue groups across the country, and they’re picking up the tab.

“They’re taking care of that, bless their hearts,” Cameron said. “They’re providing the funding to get the animals here, to get them into care.”

She noted many pitbulls are “beloved family pets” who have never done anything wrong.

“The ones that are going south, it’s usually because of the failure of owners to properly socialize or manage their dog’s behaviour,” she said. “Often things like permanent tethering in the backyard … also the use of aggressive discipline or abuse tactics.”

She added if the Saskatoon SPCA doesn’t have the capacity, they can also work with other organizations through a program called the “Highway of Hope.”

If the shelter is overloaded with dogs, they can send some of the pets to another humane society in the prairies with more capacity.

“Collaboration is the way to save more lives,” she said. “We really appreciate the opportunity to get help when we need it and to provide help when we can.”