The ban on the breed, which is expected to pass, would force current pit bull owners to pay licensing fees of $600 in order to keep their dogs in the city, but would not allow new pit bulls to move into the city.

If the law passes, current pit bull owners would have 60 days to register their animals and get at least $100,000 in liability insurance.

The legislation also would require the dogs to be spayed or neutered and they would have to be muzzled and either kept on a short leash or in a crate when in public. Owners would also have to have an identification microchip implanted in the dogs and post a warning that a dangerous dog lives in their house.

Owners say the proposal is a transparent plot to push them out of the city because the restrictions are so tough. Opponents say only two insurance companies offer policies that would cover the dogs, and it's nearly impossible for renters to get coverage.

Denver and Commerce City have already adopted similar bans, and Aurora City Councilwoman Nadine Caldwell said she's concerned that without a ban, Aurora could become a dumping ground for pit bulls.

Previous Stories:

• September 27, 2005: Aurora's Proposed Pit Bull Ban Loses Some Of Its Bark
• September 25, 2005: Neighbor Allegedly Points Gun At Pit Bull, Dog Owner
• September 20, 2005: Commerce City Bans Pit Bulls
• September 14, 2005: 4 Dogs Attack Man As He Works On His Truck
• September 13, 2005: Dogs Shot, Killed After They Attack Goat, Horse
• September 8, 2005: Pit Bulls Save Couple's Life In Fire
• August 18, 2005: Pit Bulls Attack Aurora Collie As Council Considers Ban
• August 16, 2005: Commerce City Moves Closer To Restricting Pit Bull Owners
• August 15, 2005: Commerce City Considers Restrictions On Pit Bull Owners
• August 14, 2005: Commerce City's Pit Bull Ordinance Up For Vote
• August 9, 2005: Aurora Seeks Public Input On Pit Bull Ban
• July 26, 2005: Commerce City Considers Pit Bull Ban
• July 21, 2005: With Ban In Place, Denver Euthanizing 3 Pit Bulls Daily
• July 8, 2005: Aurora Considers Banning Pit Bulls
• July 7, 2005: Westminster Pit Bull Mauls, Kills Neighbor's Sheltie
• May 24, 2005: Police Kill Pit Bull While Serving Warrant
• May 17, 2005: Man Faces Animal Cruelty Charge After Goat Suffers From Exhaustion
• May 9, 2005: Pit Bulls Banned Again In Denver
• April 8, 2005: Denver Allowed To Enforce Pit Bull Ban
• February 24, 2005: Pit Bull Shot After Biting Officer
• January 26, 2005: Pit Bull Breaks Chains, Kills 2 Poodles Inside Neighbor's House
• January 6, 2005: Owner Of Killer Pit Bulls Turns Herself In
• December 15, 2004: Pit Bull Owner Sentenced For Mauling Death