Longmont – More than 100 people showed up at a meeting Wednesday night to discuss whether this city should ban pit bulls, with an overwhelming majority voicing an emphatic no.
The Longmont City Council has not proposed banning pit bulls, but instead held Wednesday’s meeting to gauge public opinion on the issue. The council wanted to look at the issue after several other cities, including Commerce City, Aurora and Lone Tree, all banned the breed and Denver started re-enforcing its own ban.
“Why the focus” on pit bulls, Longmont police Sgt. Dave Orr asked the crowd rhetorically at the meeting’s start. “That’s the general focus throughout the entire region.”
Recently, pit-bull proponents appear to be gaining some traction. Officials in Lakewood and Parker both declined to pass pit-bull bans after public hearings.
Those at the meeting who are against a ban said a ban would punish good dogs and not bad owners, would be ineffective and would waste money.
“Communities that have banned specific breeds have found it is not the easy answer they thought it was,” said resident Leslie Irvine.
“Dangerous dogs come in all breeds and sizes.”
Staff writer John Ingold can be reached at 720-929-0898 or jingold@denverpost.com.
