The Humane Society of Weld County received a $19,000 grant last week to neuter or spay 500 pit bulls.
It isn’t that the pit bulls are being selected because of problems. It’s because there are so many in Weld County.
“A full one-third of the dogs we have at the shelter are pit bulls,” said Elaine Hicks, executive director of the Humane Society. “There is an attitude with many pit-bull owners that their dogs shouldn’t be neutered. “
She said most of the pit bulls they receive are strays, which are picked up without tags or microchips to identify them or the owners.
“Some are brought into town from other cities,” Hicks said, “but many of them have just strayed, or the owners abandoned them.”
Greeley police Sgt. Susie West, head of the Greeley Animal Control office, said she favors neutering dogs.
“My experience is that dogs (that) are spayed or neutered are easier to manage and will usually stay at home,” West said.
Fort Lupton is the only Weld County town to ban pit bulls. They also are banned in Denver, Commerce City, Aurora and Castle Rock, Hicks said.
The grant for the neutering comes from PetSmart Charities, which provides funds for neutering across the state, averaging 2,000 pets every year.
Pit-bull owners in Ault, Evans, Gilcrest, Greeley, Kersey, Milliken and the Aristocratic Acres subdivision north of Fort Lupton are eligible for the service.
“Pit-bull owners in those communities can have the dogs altered,” the Humane Society’s Allison Bruce said, “and receive a microchip with registration and their rabies vaccinations for only $15.”
The surgeries are by appointment only. To reserve a time, call 970-506-9550.
