Aurora, CO eyeing Pit Bull Ban

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On and on it goes, where it stops nobody knows....
Rocky Mountain News

Aurora leaders to discuss pit bulls
Ban would be similar to prohibition in Denver

By Javier Erik Olvera, Rocky Mountain News
July 6, 2005

Two months ago, Charmane Watson was at her wits' end.

She could no longer keep her dog - a 2-year-old, black and white pit bull named Nautica - after Denver's ordinance that bans the breed went into effect. The 39-year-old certified nurse's assistant decided to send her dog to live with family members in Aurora, where it wouldn't face a death sentence.

Now, Aurora leaders will begin discussing whether the city should adopt a similar ban on the breed that has developed a reputation as dangerous.

"This is nonsense," said Watson, who says the breed has gotten a bad rap and has sent letters to lawmakers trying to sway their opinions.

Aurora City Council's subcommittee on code enforcement today will be given a rundown on the city's existing law for aggressive, dangerous and vicious animals.

The subcommittee - composed of three council members - will determine whether the law is enough or whether it should propose a pit-bull ban to the full council.

At this point, Councilwoman Nadine Caldwell, a subcommittee member, supports a ban and says the breed has "a button that goes off."

"I've read too much about these dogs and know what they can do," said Caldwell, who says that Denver's ban has prompted some to move their dogs into Aurora.

Councilman Bob Fitzgerald, another subcommittee member, couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday. In earlier interviews, he said he would consider working toward a ban.

Denver's ban went into effect May 9 after the city won a contentious yearlong legal battle with the state over a law that banned municipalities from outlawing pit bulls. Last year, as Denver's court battle intensified, Aurora leaders decided to strengthen the city's animal law and to revisit the issue after a court ruling.

They decided to slap stiffer penalties - from $50 to $150 - on all pet owners who are convicted of having animals that are threats, including those that bite, lunge or snap. Additionally, a microchip would be inserted into the animal's skin so it could be monitored. The animal would be destroyed after a second offense.

Aurora's Animal Care Division didn't know Tuesday how many times the penalties have been meted out since the changes went into effect in August. The subcommittee's discussion comes three weeks after two pit-bull attacks in Thornton prompted city leaders to evaluate their own vicious animal law.

In one incident, a man suffered bites on his arms and hands as he tried to stop two pit bulls from attacking his dog, which survived.

In the other incident, Michelle Coughlin, 62, was bitten by her own dog when it was attacked by a pit bull. Her dog died from its injuries and the pit bull was euthanized.

The pit-bull owners in the cases - Alva Lacquement, 29, and a 15-year-old whose name wasn't released - were charged with animal attack violations.

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