I don’t usually need to preface a post much, but this post is critical. We need your help to prevent Breed Specific Bans in Montreal and all over Quebec. Any good campaign needs a poster child, and Chantal Levesque Photo found the perfect girl!
From Chantal: “I will get this out of the way… Khali is a Pit bull. This breed has been all over the news lately in Quebec following a woman’s death, attacked by one such dog. Animal advocates are trying to prevent BSL, and so we are all working hard at raising awareness and spreading positive images.
Meet Khali. (Look at that squishy face! Don’t you just want to give her a big smooch right in the middle of her forehead!?)
Khali was abandoned in a parking lot at the age of 3 months, at night, in the middle of winter! Erika took her home, gave her a loving family and now the two form a team as Zootherapists!
For Khali’s portrait session we decided to meet in a Montreal park, by the river at sunset. As I spotted Erika and Khali on their way, I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of a happy go lucky pup. She was wagging her tail (and her butt), head high, soaking in the sights and smells. I knew this was going to be a wonderful portrait session! Khali’s fur is bright red, unlike anything I’ve seen before. And those eyes! Bright and filled with sweetness. She greeted me politely, and of course caught a whiff of the treats I had in my pockets. I knew that I made a friend. (Although my treats hardly compare to the homemade ones Erika had on her!)
During the portrait session, everyone we crossed paths with in the park asked to pet her or commented on her gorgeous coat and eyes.
Fun fact: Khali could not care less about squirrels! There were many in the park, but she just ignored them!”
From Chantal: “I feel honoured to have been able to capture these precious memories for them. The bond they share is very obvious. What an amazing adoption story! Rescue is the best breed!!”
You can see more photos of this lovely zootherapy duo on Chantal’s blog. Follow Chantal Levesque Photo on Facebook to see more pet photography!
Say No To BSL
While my heart goes out to the family of the victim who was killed by a dog, not all Pit bulls are dangerous. Banning Pit bulls would be like colleges banning all the members of the men’s swim team. The actions of one are not a reflection of all. Owners of dangerous dogs need to be held responsible for their dogs’ actions.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has studied fatal dog bites and determined that Breed Specific Legislation is an ineffective way to prevent dog bites.
Ways To Take Action
Yesterday Chantal told me some great news. Although Quebec City had planned to ban Pit bulls. However, thanks to public outcry, Quebec City Mayor Labeaume has changed his mind.
Please add your name to this petition: Prevent a BSL/Pit Bull Ban in Montreal.
If you can get to Montreal, there is a Global Anti BSL Peaceful Protest on July 16.
Follow Quebec Pit Bull on Facebook and Protection Pit Bulls on Facebook to stay informed on ways to help stop BSL.
Join Best Friends Legislative Action to help end BSL in the United States.
And finally, if you have a Pit bull or are friends with one, add a photo to The Majority Project.
Please get involved and help spread the word that no breed should be banned!
About Chantal Levesque Photo: Based in Montreal, Quebec, Chantal is a photojournalist specializing in pet photography and portraits related to the music industry. She has an awesome cat, Shirow.
I’ve joined the Blog The Change For Animals blog hop hosted by Heart Like A Dog and Stunning Keisha.
Khali is gorgeous! I absolutely despise BSL and hate reading that it’s still taking place in so many areas.
Khali is such a gorgeous dog with a beautiful face. I can’t imagine having a dog, any breed of dog, and finding out they have been banned. I’m happy that the Mayor has changed his mind. I do think that what’s important is responsible pet ownership for each and every breed of dog!
Khali is such a beautiful dog. And the photos are so beautiful too! Looks like it must have been a fun photo shoot.
And I totally agree with you about BSL. There are good dogs of every breed, and I don’t think we should ban certain breeds!
I’m glad to hear the Quebec city mayor changed his mind! My friend has a pit mix and she is the absolute sweetest dog.
I know that BSL is not the answer but Quebec has a horrible problem with dog fighting rings. I recently found out about it (in too graphic detail) from a rescue organization that flies dogs to different cities in Canada to be adopted. Some are moved from Ontario to Quebec because of BSL … but not all pitbulls are treated well. Far too many are not. I thought it was mainly a US problem, but sadly, no.
I hope they can put an end to the dog fighting rings, that is terrible!
She looks absolutely stunning. <3 Those eyes … wow! It makes me sad when I hear people think pit bulls are automatically aggressive and dangerous. They are such a misunderstood breed. Thank you for raising awareness!!
oh she’s a beautiful dog!!
Banning a breed does not solve the problem! Education solves problems. People are ridiculous! That poor family.
Education is key.
I will add my name to the petition. Banning bully breeds like this sweet Khali is unthinkable. It feels like we’ve come so far and then we take steps backwards like these rules some communities put into place. The images are beautiful and his bandanna!!
Thank you for adding your name to the petition!
What a stunning girl – I love her expressive eyes and rich red color. Khali does not deserve to be discriminated against.
We absolutely agree with about BSL. Makes me really angry.
Khali is so lovely. The pictures of her with Erika are amazing and filled with such love.
Khali is beautiful and thanks for this post. I read somewhere yesterday that the ban is not going into effect in the end and they will be allowed to keep their pitbulls
I hope that is true for all of Quebec, not just Quebec City! It feels like we’re going backwards as a society when people suggest banning a specific type of dog.
No. I would not like to giver her a big squishy kiss on her forehead. I would love to give her ten squishy kisses on her lips! You are amazing Khali! Thank you for spreading the word! I live in Los Angeles now but am from Toronto. I was living there when Clayton Ruby took the lead in Ontario in defending against the pits’ breed specific legislation there. Stand together!
Well, I’m glad they decided not to make the ban. I agree that is a terrible thing that happened, but you can’t single one dog breed out. Khali is gorgeous and looks so sweet.
These portraits are beautiful!!! BSL is a very important discussion, and my heart aches for any innocent dogs and their families that are discriminated against!
I wish people would research breeds carefully (including cats) before bringing them into their home. Many of the problems with pets occur because the owner doesn’t know how to work with these animals. Khali is beautiful.
What a gorgeous pair! The pictures are simply amazing. BSL is tough, especially as legalizes the already in place structure in insurance of penalizing for certain breeds.
I hope they decide not to go ahead with the ban. I was just watching a documentary where a baseball player gets traded to a place with BSL and his family stays behind with their pit.
I saw that too, what a great family!
When I saw this shoot was in Montreal, I wondered about what news on BSL there might be! Thanks for bringing us up to date on that. Dumbest law ever. Beautiful dog and photos, however! Thanks fir sharing!
I hope that Montreal and Quebec in general come to their senses and decide to drop the potential ban.
Such great photos!! What a beautiful dog!
I’m so grateful they’ve decided not to ban Pit Bulls! As a shelter volunteer I’ve come across tons of amazing Pit Bills, they are great dogs! BSL is a totally ineffective way of dealing with dog aggression & dog bites. Owners must take accountability! Khali is a stunning dog who gives back to the community; what a wonderful Breed Ambassador!
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
I am an active pit bull advocate and I serve on the board (and run our foster and adoption program) for a rescue here in Colorado that is dedicated to education and advocacy. Overturning BSL everywhere is one of our primary goals. I will happily share this post on social media and would welcome the opportunity to chat about partnering on some posts or other projects to spread the word. I just interviewed Bronwen Dickey, the author of Pit Bull: The Battle over and American Icon, for my blog and will be loading a series of posts to the blog over the next few weeks. Thank you for sharing such an important topic.
Thank you for sharing. I know that you do a lot to help pit bulls and rescue dogs! I need to read your interview!
Loved these photos and I’m a big fan of banning BSL!! ANY dog has the ability to bite, and it hurts us all to pick on one specific breed!! I train too many wonderful pibbles, and I’ve rehabilitated more than one aggressive pittie! Well done!!
I love these photos! He is so handsome. The story your telling is very sad.
I still do not understand why BSL in the first place. I have been wanting BSL eradicated forever. TY for advocating and sharing. Stunning pics!
It’s the OWNER, not the dog! It makes me angry to live in a place where certain breeds are not welcome. It is the same in Ontario. Khali is a beautiful spokesdog for Pit Bulls.
Khali is so beautiful! Owners need to be responsible pet parents and the law needs to look at the humans, NOT the pit bulls! Thank you for sharing such beautiful photos.
I could not agree more. Breed specific legislation is an outrage. What will we ban next? Does it go as far as humans being banned for race or religion? Wishing you best of luck in keeping the BSL out of Montreal and Quebec
Thanks so much for stopping by and I think it is exactly that same limited mindset that is creating so much of our tension within the human race.
These photos are just gorgeous. Thanks for advocating against breed specific legislation! In my view the real issue is irresponsible pet ownership not the breed of these beautiful dogs.
I completely agree with you!
Great post; great cause and gorgeous dog. Some owners should not be allowed to own dogs. They are the problem. The dogs do as they are trained. Thanks for being the change for pit bulls.
Khali is so beautiful and has such a gentleness in her eyes. I will absolutely sign the petition as I feel so strongly against breed specific legislation.
Thanks! Every little bit of public pressure can help.
What a great post and what a beautiful girl Khali is. I did just want to kiss her right in the middle of her forehead. 🙂
BSL is such a hot button for me. We have a lot of very narrow minded people in this world. They project their mindset and fear on certain dogs and certain humans. It is hard to fight against such ignorance, but we will do it and we will win. Thanks for such a beautiful post.
So beautiful!
I’m glad the Mayor changed his mind thanks to the public. I hope the same happens for the province.
Thanks for sharing this post in the Pet Blogger Showcase.
LOVED the post and wanted to let you know, I have chosen it as a feature in the Pet Blogger Hop!
Oh thank you so much!