Aurora – Aurora is one step closer to tightening the leash on pit bulls after a city code committee voted Thursday to ban new pit bulls and impose strict rules on existing ones.
The committee shied away from an outright ban, instead agreeing on a grandfather clause that allows people to keep pit bulls licensed before Aug. 9. The committee next month will send its proposal to the entire City Council for approval.
“We came up with a good resolution,” said Councilman Bob FitzGerald, who sits on the committee. “It is tough on people who want to keep their pit bulls. But once (the dogs) are gone, they are gone from Aurora. And that’s what we wanted.”
Restrictions in the ordinance would force owners to apply for annual pit-bull licenses, have at least $100,000 in insurance, spay and neuter the animals and pay to place identifying microchips in the dogs.
When outdoors on the owner’s property, a pit bull would be required to be confined to a secured pen and wouldn’t be allowed on the porch or patio. If off the property, the dog would be required to be muzzled and on a leash no longer than 4 feet and held by an adult.
If the dog were indoors, the owner would be forced to keep the home’s windows and doors closed and post a warning sign at the front entry.
“This is horrible,” said Shirlina Stone, a veterinary technician student who has two pit bulls. “What about the people who can’t afford the insurance? And it would be like having to live in a jail with no windows open.”
Stone said she’ll send her dogs back to her father in California.
“I may go back home, too,” she said.
Genna Nault has owned her dog, Bentley, for a few months.
“I have to get him neutered, and that is expensive,” she said. “It makes it seem like he’s a bad dog. And he’s never been in trouble.”
But committee members believe the restrictions are necessary. The dogs are dangerous, said Councilwoman Molly Markert, who would rather ban pit bulls but was outvoted by the other two committee members.
“We came to the right conclusion,” said Councilwoman Nadine Caldwell.
The city has registered 140 pit bulls this year. There are likely hundreds more that aren’t licensed or that got three-year licenses in the past two years, said Cheryl Conway, animal-control spokeswoman.
On the eve of the meeting, Aurora animal-control officials say, three pit bulls got loose from their owner in northeast Aurora, broke through a fence and mauled a border-collie mix that was chained up. The dog was euthanized.
Joaquin Johnson, 20, the pit bulls’ owner, faces 17 misdemeanor charges, each with a maximum of a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The pit bulls were impounded, and their fate will be decided by a municipal judge.
Staff writer Jeremy Meyer can be reached at 303-820-1175 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
