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City Could Face Legislation Restricting Pit Bull Owners Due To Dog Attacks

September 7, 2005

A city council meeting has passed a new pit bull ordinance that will have pit bull owners of Commerce City obeying new rules in order for them to keep their pets.

The City Council passed the new proposal by a vote of eight to one to approve the ordinances upon their first reading. The council will still take the time to review more testimony from citizens as well as city officials before the second reading.

Before the meeting had started, protesters had shown up to make their voice heard in regards to their displeasure with the new measures.

One pit bull owner stated that existing ordinances were already aggressive and these ordinances could be used to control pit bull owners. The result should be that ordinances make the owners responsible for the dog's actions because an animal can be trained to be aggressive or passive, said the owner.

The ordinance that is being proposed would make pit bull owners obey stricter rules regarding the registration and fencing of pit bulls as well as making it a requirement that they have a higher amount of homeowner's insurance. The city, however, does not want to completely outlaw the breed.

Residents have expressed that the presence of pit bulls worries them. They feel that pit bull have shown that they do not always listen to commands from their primary owners.

Anytime one of the pit bulls are taken out all the people on the block take children in, said one resident.

A second reading of the proposal is set for Sept. 19. In the meantime, council members will review testimony regarding the current vicious dog ordinance and a provision that could exempt show dogs.

Commerce City is not alone in cities that are looking at pit bull laws. In May, Denver was among the cities that reinstituted its ban against the breed and Aurora is also debating a pit bull ban.