A Denver city councilman is proposing to allow pit bulls once more in the city, albeit on a form of probation.
Denver enacted a ban in 1989 after several high-profile attacks, but next week Councilman Chris Herndon will propose to let pit bull owners — or potential owners — apply with Denver Animal Protection for a “breed-restricted license.”
Herndon said he grew up with rottweilers, which also often receive bad reputations. There are no bad breeds, he added, only bad owners.
Banning breeds outright only drives owners into the shadows, which is unsafe, he said.
“Most people will agree that there are pits right now within the city and county of Denver, but we don’t know how many and we don’t know where they are,” Herndon said. “This bill will allow us to know how many and where they are.”
The application would require the name and address of the owner, two emergency contacts, a description of the dog and proof the pit bull is microchipped and properly vaccinated, according to the proposal, provided to The Denver Post by Herndon’s office.
If there are no attacks, instances of animal cruelty, fighting or other problems with a registered dog for three years, the restricted license would be removed and the pit bull would be licensed in the same way as any other breed, the bill says.
Owners would be limited to two pit bulls per home, have to pay an annual fee and required to notify animal protection if the dog escapes, bites or dies or if the owner moves, the bill says.
“We’re at a place now where itap time to have this conversation,” Herndon said. “Letap put something in place … that will make our city safer.”
Aurora, Lone Tree, Louisville and Commerce City also ban the breed, and the Aurora City Council is also whether to change its law. Castle Rock’s Town Council repealed its ban in 2018.
An attempt to put a repeal on Denver’s municipal ballot in 2016 failed.