Dog lovers convened at Montreal's city hall Sunday afternoon to protest Premier Philippe Couillard's promise to introduce dangerous dog legislation in Quebec when the National Assembly resumes sitting on Sept. 20.

Couillard said in June that Quebec would "probably" follow Ontario's lead on legislation to ban pit bulls.

An estimated 1,500 pit bull advocates attended Sunday's event, called "Protest against the banishment of pit bulls in Quebec," to show support for the breed.

According to the Facebook event page, dog lovers were invited to bring their canine companions, along with family and friends, "to voice your disagreement with the measures planned by Mr. Couillard."

The event was a joint effort by Protection Pit Bulls and S.O.S Bull Terriers Canada.

Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux said in June that the government "will definitely do something significant."

Health Minister Gaétan Barrette said in August that he supported an outright ban on pit bulls.

Sunday's protest began at city hall at 12:30 p.m. and continued along St-Jacques Street to Square Victoria.