On the same day as a Quebec Superior Court ordered an immediate suspension of the pit bull-related clauses in Montreal's new animal control bylaw, a well known dog training specialist joined the growing chorus of people opposed to the ban.
Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, released a video on his Facebook page Monday entitled "A Message to the People of Montreal."
"I've raised my kids around pit bulls, I haven't had a negative story with a pit bull" Millan said. "I think that's when people learn to dislike the breed. They hear stories about aggressive pit bulls ... but they never really actually dig into the story and understand why the pit bull became aggressive in the first place."
The dog behaviourist pit bulls are just like any other dog, and their power can be harnessed into something positive. He said dogs don't think, they react, and pit bulls are no different.
"The city of Montreal voted to ban new ownership of pit bull and 'pit bull-type' dogs, and to require current owners of pit bulls to get special permits. My past and present right-hand dogs, Daddy and Junior are both pit bulls, so this issue hits close to home" Millan wrote.
Millan is just the latest well known voice to come out against Montreal's ban.
American actress and animal-lover Nikki Reed, known for her role in the Twilight movies, took to Instagram last week to voice her opposition to the city's vote.
"I have spoken out against [breed-specific legislation] for years now and stories like this really break my heart," she posted with a picture of a dog wearing a muzzle. "I urge you guys to take a look. It's important to know what's going on so we don't make this mistake over and over again."
Celebrity chef and pit bull owner Rachel Ray took to Twitter, calling the result of last week's vote a heartbreaking day for dog lovers.
Actress and animal rescuer Sophia Bush urged her followers to help get at risk dogs out of Montreal.
The first celebrity to come out against the legislation was American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper, who posted a message on her Facebook page voicing her opposition to the ban.
The pit bull-related clauses of the new bylaw are on hold until at least Wednesday when Quebec Superior Court Justice Louis Gouin is expected to rule whether the law should remain suspended until the SPCA's legal case against it can be heard.