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The word pitbull is sprinkled throughout Lise Vadnais’s new book. It’s even in the title. And that in itself is an act of courage.

Pitbull is a term many only dare utter with extreme caution. Mere mention is likely to cause the ears of a powerful and determined lobby to perk up. If associated with anything negative, it is certain to raise hackles or elicit a snarling backlash. And all too often, it forces critics to beat a hasty retreat. For those who defend pitbulls can be as ferocious as their beloved breed is reputed to be.

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But Vadnais has already experienced the worst pitbulls and their proponents are capable of. So she isn’t backing down now.

On June 8, 2016, her sister, Christiane Vadnais, was attacked and killed in her own backyard in Pointe-aux-Trembles by a dog later found to be majority American Staffordshire Terrier, a type of pitbull. This tragedy shocked Montrealers and unleashed a furious political debate.