Ask the Department of Justice to Intervene for Denver Pit Bulls and the Disabled

Ask the Department of Justice to Intervene for Denver Pit Bulls and the Disabled

The Issue

Denver, Colorado drew the ire of pit bull supporters around the world over a decade ago when they enacted a sweeping pit bull ban. We know that breed-specific dog bite statistics are thoroughly unreliable and that breed-specific legislation is bad public policy. 

Last year, the U.S. Department of Justice recognized that, and in revising the Americans With Disabilities Act, the DOJ made sure that local governments could not keep disabled persons from having specific dog breeds as service animals. Yet, even now, with the revised rules in effect, Denver's pit bull ban is still on the books. And, last December, Denver's City Council rejected a compromise measure that would allow exceptions to their law for service animals, essentially thumbing their nose at disabled persons, pit bull owners, and the federal government.

With the new ADA rules in place and Denver still refusing to yield, it's time for the Department of Justice to use their resources to make sure that Denver follows the law.

Photo credit: stephskardal

avatar of the starter
Martin MathenyPetition StarterWriter in Athens Ga. I share my house with a rescue pug and a rescued pit bull.
This petition had 765 supporters

The Issue

Denver, Colorado drew the ire of pit bull supporters around the world over a decade ago when they enacted a sweeping pit bull ban. We know that breed-specific dog bite statistics are thoroughly unreliable and that breed-specific legislation is bad public policy. 

Last year, the U.S. Department of Justice recognized that, and in revising the Americans With Disabilities Act, the DOJ made sure that local governments could not keep disabled persons from having specific dog breeds as service animals. Yet, even now, with the revised rules in effect, Denver's pit bull ban is still on the books. And, last December, Denver's City Council rejected a compromise measure that would allow exceptions to their law for service animals, essentially thumbing their nose at disabled persons, pit bull owners, and the federal government.

With the new ADA rules in place and Denver still refusing to yield, it's time for the Department of Justice to use their resources to make sure that Denver follows the law.

Photo credit: stephskardal

avatar of the starter
Martin MathenyPetition StarterWriter in Athens Ga. I share my house with a rescue pug and a rescued pit bull.

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