One More City Bans Them...
Article Link
Aurora - After today, Aurora pit-bull owners will have 90 days to get a special license and comply with new regulations or risk losing their hounds.
The City Council is scheduled to formally approve the new rules in a procedural vote today, making Aurora the sixth Colorado city and the third in the metro area to forbid pit bulls.
Unlicensed pit bulls could be captured and killed, according to Aurora officials.
"There is nothing more to do with pit bulls," said councilwoman Molly Markert, who supported the ban. "We met the community's needs, based on what we heard and what we gathered. We acted very responsibly."
The city's ordinance will ban 10 breeds, including pit bull-type dogs. But it includes a grandfather clause for dogs currently in the city. Those owners wishing to keep their dogs must get an annual $200 license, have at least $100,000 in liability insurance and follow a host of requirements that include keeping dogs in secured pens while they are in the backyard.
Council members approved the ordinance in a 6-3 vote on Oct. 10 after listening to hours of public comment from dog lovers opposed to the ban. Today's second reading is to make sure the ordinance language is correct.
The city originally planned a $600 annual license to pay for more staff and equipment to enforce the ban. The council later dropped the cost to $200, but plans are still in the works to hire two contract employees, financed by fees and fines from violators.
Also, the council agreed to evaluate whether the ban is working in two years.
Pit-bull owners say they aren't happy with the ban.
"I don't think it's right," said Glen White of Aurora, who owns a 1 1/2-year-old pit bull named Tilly. He said he doesn't like the idea of city workers inspecting his house to see if he is complying with the rules.
"My dog is not illegal. I am not a lawbreaker," he said. "But this treats me like a criminal. It's very discriminating."
Joanna Steffen, a veterinarian technician from Aurora, called the ordinance an overreaction.
"Personally, I don't think pit bulls are any more dangerous than any other large-breed dog," she said. "I stand a better chance of being bit by a Chihuahua than a pit bull. But the pit bull does more damage. In the meantime, I think the importance of training for the owners is foremost."
And Sonya Dias of Denver has been working against the bans in both cities.
"It's not going to work to keep the public safer," she said. "(The city) already has hit the wall in (its) ability to handle complaints. They are going to add on picking up and killing good family dogs instead of going after dangerous dogs."
------------------------------
And the other piece of the article:
Aurora to ban new pit bull-like breeds
Breeds included in Aurora's new pit-bull ordinance are the American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog, Presa Canario (also known as the Canary dog, Canary Island dog), Presa Mallorquin (also known as the Ca De Bou), Cane Corso, Dogo Argentine (also known as the Dogo Argentino), Fila Brasileiro (also known as the Fila, Brazilian Mastiff), Tosa (also known as the Tosa Inu) and any mixed breed that bears the majority of physical characteristics as the "standard" for any of these breeds.
Violators can be fined up to $700.
To keep their dogs, current owners must:
Pay an annual $200 licensing fee.
Spay or neuter their dogs, provide proof of rabies vaccination and have a microchip implanted in the dog.
Be at least 21 years old.
Provide proof of at least $100,000 of liability insurance.
Confine their dogs in a locked, secured pen or enclosure.
Post warning signs on their property.
Muzzle their dogs and have them on a leash no more than 4 feet long when walking them.
__________________________________________________ _______________
