Another Front Range city inched toward regulating pit bulls Monday when the Aurora City Council agreed to formally consider prohibiting new pit bulls from coming into the city and imposing strict licensing and other restrictions on existing ones.
The decision, made during a study session, was the first time the full 10-member council weighed in on the proposed ordinance, which has been circulating in committee and stirring public debate for several months.
A majority of council members voted to move forward with the proposal, sending back to the committee a few minor revisions to be incorporated before the ordinance goes up for consideration at the council’s next meeting, Oct. 10.
As approved Monday night, the ordinance would include a full ban on all new pit bulls and require current pit-bull owners to pay a $600 annual licensing fee within 60 days after the ordinance, if passed, takes effect.
Owners also would face strict regulations, including keeping dogs in outdoor cages, making sure all windows and doors are closed when the dog is inside, posting a warning sign and having the dogs micro-chipped and neutered or spayed. No one younger than 21 would be allowed to walk or license a pit bull, and when in public, the dogs would have to be muzzled and on a leash no longer than 4 feet.
Council members also approved a controversial provision that would require pit-bull owners to provide proof of $100,000 of liability insurance.
They dropped a caveat that would have required insurance companies to alert the city manager if the company dropped a client from its policy.
Members also voted to increase proposed fines for owners convicted of violating the ordinance from $500 to $700.
Council member Steve Hogan expressed some reservation about a imposing a blanket pit-bull ban.
“There are bad animals and bad owners, and there are good animals” he said. “This ordinance throws everyone into one pot.”
If passed, Aurora would join Denver and at least five other Front Range communities that have imposed total or partial pit-bull restrictions.
“We’ve heard strong, emotional arguments on both sides of the issue,” said Cheryl Conway, spokeswoman for the city’s Animal Care Division, who spoke at Monday’s meeting.
Most council members agreed the ordinance is necessary.
“Responsible pet owners will comply with the provisions,” Molly Markert said. “There is a point to be made about public safety.”
This month, four pit bulls being harbored in Aurora after Denver reimposed its ban on pit bulls attacked a man at an Aurora apartment complex. Two days later, one of those dogs attacked the landlord trying to collect rent.
In other business, the council voted 9-to-1 in favor of an Aurora utilities proposal to boost water rates to residents by $5.61 a month.
The 12 percent rate hike, which goes into effect Jan. 1, will generate $10 million that will be used toward system improvements and to finance several new water projects including the South Platte Project.
