End The Denver/Aurora Pit Bull Ban
End The Denver/Aurora Pit Bull Ban
The Issue
Colorado State House and Senate I urge you to end breed specific legislation. Please allow this topic on the general election ballot in 2017!
In May 2005, Denver re-instituted a city ordinance banning pit bull ownership within the city limits. The Ordinance covers American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and any animal displaying “the majority of physical traits of anyone or more of the above breeds, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club for any of the above breeds.”
We have recently seen a similar attempt to ban Staffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, any mix with these breeds, and any dog that presents characteristics of one of these breeds. Those who already live in Montreal and own pit bulls would have to get a special $150 permit in order to keep their dog. Their dog must be muzzled and kept on a short leash when outside of the owner’s home. With this ban all animal shelters in Montreal would be unable to adopt out a pit bull breed leaving healthy, adoptable, behaviorally sound dogs to be euthanized.
On October 5th, 2016 Judge Louis Gouin of the Quebec Superior Court rendered his decision in the lawsuit opposing the Montreal SPCA and the City of Montreal concerning the new animal control by-law. He ordered the suspension of the sections of the by-law targeting certain breeds, namely those prohibiting the adoption of “pit bull type dogs” and requiring these dogs to be muzzled. Judge Gouin ruled that the contested provisions of the by-law raise seriour legal questions which the Court will need to consider in greater depth, but in the meantime, the urgency of the situation is such that a stay is required. The Judge namely invoked the elasticity of the definition of the term “pit bull type dogs”, which, by including mixes of the targeted breeds as well as dogs who physically resemble these, is so vague and imprecise that neither the Montreal SPCA, nor dog owners are able to determine exactly which dogs are covered. The Court also raised the possibility that the City of Montreal had exceeded its powers by providing for the seizure and euthanasia of “pit bull type dogs”, without consideration of whether the targeted animals are, in fact, actually dangerous.
Montreal’s fight is far from being over, but who is fighting for the pit bulls here in the US?
It has been eleven years since the ban was re-instituted in Denver. That is ELEVEN years of euthanizing family pets and forcing people to relocate. With the huge influx of people moving to the Denver, CO area NOW is the time to end this ban. Let’s stand together in 2016 to get this done. This is step one. Please sign and share this petition to get it on the ballot. Also, please take step two and VOTE!
Pit bulls and similar breeds are family pets. No dog is born violent and dangerous. Remember it is a dog that bites, not a breed.
END BSL!
The Issue
Colorado State House and Senate I urge you to end breed specific legislation. Please allow this topic on the general election ballot in 2017!
In May 2005, Denver re-instituted a city ordinance banning pit bull ownership within the city limits. The Ordinance covers American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and any animal displaying “the majority of physical traits of anyone or more of the above breeds, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club for any of the above breeds.”
We have recently seen a similar attempt to ban Staffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, any mix with these breeds, and any dog that presents characteristics of one of these breeds. Those who already live in Montreal and own pit bulls would have to get a special $150 permit in order to keep their dog. Their dog must be muzzled and kept on a short leash when outside of the owner’s home. With this ban all animal shelters in Montreal would be unable to adopt out a pit bull breed leaving healthy, adoptable, behaviorally sound dogs to be euthanized.
On October 5th, 2016 Judge Louis Gouin of the Quebec Superior Court rendered his decision in the lawsuit opposing the Montreal SPCA and the City of Montreal concerning the new animal control by-law. He ordered the suspension of the sections of the by-law targeting certain breeds, namely those prohibiting the adoption of “pit bull type dogs” and requiring these dogs to be muzzled. Judge Gouin ruled that the contested provisions of the by-law raise seriour legal questions which the Court will need to consider in greater depth, but in the meantime, the urgency of the situation is such that a stay is required. The Judge namely invoked the elasticity of the definition of the term “pit bull type dogs”, which, by including mixes of the targeted breeds as well as dogs who physically resemble these, is so vague and imprecise that neither the Montreal SPCA, nor dog owners are able to determine exactly which dogs are covered. The Court also raised the possibility that the City of Montreal had exceeded its powers by providing for the seizure and euthanasia of “pit bull type dogs”, without consideration of whether the targeted animals are, in fact, actually dangerous.
Montreal’s fight is far from being over, but who is fighting for the pit bulls here in the US?
It has been eleven years since the ban was re-instituted in Denver. That is ELEVEN years of euthanizing family pets and forcing people to relocate. With the huge influx of people moving to the Denver, CO area NOW is the time to end this ban. Let’s stand together in 2016 to get this done. This is step one. Please sign and share this petition to get it on the ballot. Also, please take step two and VOTE!
Pit bulls and similar breeds are family pets. No dog is born violent and dangerous. Remember it is a dog that bites, not a breed.
END BSL!
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Petition created on October 7, 2016