Aurora – Pit-bull lovers will get a chance this afternoon to voice their opinions during a public hearing at city hall on whether the city should ban the dogs.
The 2:30 p.m. meeting will discuss whether the city should approve one of three draft ordinances: an outright ban on pit bulls, a ban with a grandfather clause for licensed dogs and a measure that places further restrictions on the dogs within the city.
Those restrictions would require the dog be neutered or spayed, that it have a microchip implanted for identification purposes, that it be confined to a pen when outside, and that the owner have at least $100,000 in liability insurance and post a sign on the front door warning of a pit bull.
Today’s meeting is a preliminary step by a City Council subcommittee that examines codes and makes recommendations to the full council. Any ban must be approved by the entire council at a later date.
Staff members from the city’s Animal Care Division said a ban would require Aurora to hire one or two more animal care officers, one more clerical worker and a kennel attendant. Another truck and a higher budget for kennel repairs also would be necessary, according to a staff report.
Costs could be recouped by adding new license fees associated with the breed.
Officials in Denver, which has had a ban since 1989, say costs of the ban haven’t exceeded normal operating expenses.
Today’s meeting isn’t about choosing an ordinance, said Cheryl Conway, spokeswoman for the Animal Care Division, but is for the committee members to hear what the public thinks.
“They are simply going to listen to their constituency and get a feel on how the voters feel,” Conway said.
Staff writer Jeremy Meyer can be reached at 303-820-1175 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
