The Quebec government begins parliamentary commission hearings later today into its proposed animal control law that would ban pitbull-type dogs.
The proposed law calls for a ban on rottweilers and pitbull-like dogs as well as any new breeds at any time.
Anyone caught with such a dog would be fined upwards of $5000. The dogs would be euthanized, sold or taken by an animal shelter.
People who already own such dogs can keep them.
Vets and doctors would have to report any dog that injured a person or another pet.
Lise Vadnais has been in favour of Bill 128 and the city of Montreal's previous breed-specific ban ever since her sister was mauled to death by a pitbull-like dog in 2016.
"I want this to be a question of public security and not a question of politics," said Vadnais, who is presenting her brief tonight.
Vadnais said emotions certainly come into play but added she has research to show that tougher, breed-specific measures can help prevent attacks like the one that killed her sister.
Opponents such as the Coalition to Promote the Safety of People and Canines, which is presenting its brief Thursday, said they need more measures to make dog owners, breeders and sellers more responsible and accountable.
"Strong leash laws that need to be enforced; there needs to be an understanding of canine behaviour," said spokesperson Sabrina Sabbah.
"Restricting breed ownership hasn't reduced incidents of dog bites."
The coalition is staging a protest at 5:30 p.m.outside the National Assembly.
The Quebec Order of Veterinarians, which is also presenting a brief before the commission, said before adopting its proposed animal control bylaw, the Quebec government has to tweak it and focus more on public awareness and prevention campaigns and a national animal registry rather than breed-specific measures.
The hearings continue this week.