Come January 1st, petowners in the city of Laval will need to have spayed or neutered any dog or cat six months or older. The new rule is part of the city's new animal-control bylaws.
The change was approved by Laval's city council back in March of this year in an effort to tackle the abundance of strays. At the time, Mayor Marc Demers remarked that city officials "kill about 3,000 cats a year and about 1,500 dogs a year so this has to stop."
Another reason for the law's passing was to try and stem antisocial behaviour from pets. While veterinarians agree that the bylaw will likely be effective at reducing the stray population, it isn't a surefire way to change the way animals behave.
Under the bylaw, certain owners can apply for an exemption if they can produce a note from their veterinarian.