Close to 200 people crowded into a public meeting in the community of Dugald, to discuss proposed changes to the animal control bylaw. (CBC)

Vocal opposition from close to 200 people has forced the Rural Municipality of Springfield to drop a proposed ban on pitbull dogs.

The controversial ban was part of a number of changes to the animal control bylaw that were discussed at a public meeting in Dugald Thursday night.

The proposals being considered by councillors in the RM, just east of Winnipeg, also include reducing the number of dogs and cats people can have without a kennel licence — to three from the current six — and requiring pet owners to pay for damages caused by their animals.

'I think we're going to be able to come up with the animal control bylaws that will set the example for other muncipalities.'—Reeve Jim McCarthy

For example, pet owners whose animal hurts another animal will be responsible for vet bills.

The meeting was held to discuss the proposed changes, not make final decisions. However, in the end, the part of the bylaw that would have banned pitbulls was scrapped.

"With all the different ideas here, everyone was thinking out of the box. And together, I think we're going to be able to come up with the animal control bylaws that will set the example for other muncipalities," said Reeve Jim McCarthy.

Jim McCarthy, reeve of the Rural Municipality of Springfield, said the proposed bylaw changes are designed to make pet owners take more responsibility. (CBC)

The bylaw will now be redrafted and voted on by councillors at a later date.

McCarthy said the requirement for pet owners to take responsibility for attacks by their animals is necessary because there needs to be some kind of control to prevent the kinds of incidents the area experienced last year.

"[Dogs] were chasing neighbours, were attacking neighbours. [They] attacked my dog, ripped my dog, really ripped my dog apart," he said.

"None of us really want to see anybody else go through this again."