Why won’t Montreal protect animals?

Re: “Dangerous-animal law not yet in effect” (Gazette, Aug. 16).

Montreal wants to pass a law where a dog that bites is deemed “dangerous” and must be put down. This week Kirkland passed a law prohibiting the feeding of wild animals, including stray cats. Stray cats are abandoned cats, left behind by negligent owners.

Quebec is known to be the best province in which to abuse animals. No cities enforce the spaying/neutering of pets, animal abuse is seldom punished, and puppy mills thrive.

I wish Montreal and neighbouring cities would put their energy into creating laws that would protect the animals. We have a pet overpopulation that continues to mount because sterilization is not mandatory or even encouraged. Last year Montreal shelters alone euthanized more than 25,000 cats and dogs.

Dogs and cats continue to be sold in pet stores even though most of us know full well that these animals come from puppy mills. There is no law prohibiting the continuous breeding of these animals under horrific conditions with absolutely no access to a vet, or even clean water, food and fresh air.

Montreal is now considering adopting a law to euthanize a dog that bites, regardless of the circumstances. Anyone who knows dogs will tell you that any dog can and will bite if put in a certain situation.

Now is the time for Montreal to use its power and create laws that protect the animals.

Perhaps then there will be people outside city hall applauding the municipal council instead of rallying against it. Tonia Nazzaro Kirkland

Temperate advice on climate change

Re: “Climate change: Let’s have less rhetoric and more practical advice” (Opinion, Aug. 13).

Having spent most of my adult life studying climatology, I hope Sterling T. Perkins wouldn’t classify me either as a climate alarmist or a denier. His middle ground is a welcome approach. A few points however:

The recent rate of warming is not unprecedented, and is similar to the rate (as opposed to the level) of warming observed in the early 20th century.

Such events as storms, droughts, heat waves and crop failures have happened throughout history, in cold periods and warm ones. As much as we might wish otherwise, reducing the levels of greenhouse gases won’t allow us to control the weather.

Some practical advice? Let’s try for resilience and flexibility, planning for a range of possible futures, so we can respond quickly to events beyond our control. Victoria Slonosky St. Lambert

Why the MUHC leaves the lights on

Re: “Hospital, hospital, burning bright” (Your Views, Aug 15).

The lights at the McGill University Health Centre’s Glen hospital construction site need to be on at all times, day and night, for safety reasons. Security guards need to be able to safely walk around the construction site and inside the building.

Julie Paquet Chief of communications Mcgill University Health Centre Montreal