Débats autour des races canines et de la santé publique à Montréal et au Québec (2016–2019)

Objectives We examine the public policies that have been formulated to reduce the incidence of dog bites. We do so to encourage the adoption of policies aligned with One Health promotion. Methods This case-study research involved an ethnographic approach. Our qualitative analysis derived from participant observation, policy documents, media coverage, and interviews with stakeholders in Montreal (Quebec). Results Following on from a human fatality due to dog bite injuries, the City of Montreal decided to ban certain types of dogs based on their ‘breed.’ In the ensuing discussions, the ‘Calgary model’ emerged as an alternative to breed-specific legislation. These discussions led to a change in policy direction for Montreal, and for Quebec as a whole. Furthermore, we discerned marked improvements with respect to intersectoral coordination in the wake of this controversy. Conclusion ‘Policy mobilities’ offer a useful conceptual apparatus for understanding how public policies for dog bite prevention are polarized around controversial proposals, to the detriment of discussions that focus on policy implementation.