DENVER – After more than 30 years in the books, Denver’s pit bull ban will be a thing of the past, following a decision by city council Monday night to give the dogs a chance within city limits.
Denver City Council voted 7-4 to repeal the long-standing ban, replacing the law with what could be best described as a “probation” for pit bulls. The vote came after more than an hour of public hearing on the issue.
Under the new ordinance, the owner must register with Denver Animal Protection and get their dog a "breed-restricted" license. The owner will also have to provide the name and home address of the dog, plus two emergency contacts, an accurate description of the pit bull and proof that the animal was micro-chipped and had received an up-to-date rabies vaccination.
Other restrictions under the new law include: no more than two pit bulls per household, the owner must notify Denver Animal Protection within eight hours if the dog escapes or bites, and they must also notify the agency within 24 hours if the dog dies or the owner moves to a different address.
If the pit bull shows good behavior after three years, Denver Animal Protection will remove the breed-restricted license and the dog will be given the same license as any other dog within the city.
The new ordinance will take effect 90 days after Denver Mayor Michael Hancock signs it into law.
The cities of Lone Tree, Louisville and Commerce City have bans on pit bulls. The City of Aurora is discussing whether to change its law.
Castle Rock’s Town Council repealed its ban in 2018.
