Marty
08-16-2005, 09:40 AM
Denver, CO -- Despite heavy opposition from area residents, City Council members in Commerce City voted 8-0 to give initial approval Monday night to an ordinance that would ban pit bull owners from bringing their dogs to the city and would tighten regulations on owners already there.
In a packed gymnasium at the Commerce City Recreation Center, members of a largely one-sided crowd spoke out against what many called "breed-specific legislation" that they said unfairly characterizes pit bulls.
"These dogs are not monster killers," Sonya Dias said. "We're talking about family dogs."
About 150 people attended the hearing. More than 20 people spoke against the ordinance, including state Rep. Debbie Stafford, R-Aurora, who touted a state law passed in 2004 that toughens penalties for owners of vicious dogs.
"Give the new law time and toughen your own laws," she told council members before receiving a standing ovation from most of the lively crowd.
Eight of the nine council members approved the ordinance on first reading, with Councilman Orval Lewis abstaining.
The second reading of Ordinance 1593 will occur Sept. 19. Before that time, city spokeswoman Heather Rule said, council members will consider Monday night's testimony and consider amendments on three points:
• An exception for show dogs to the spaying and neutering requirement. A Commerce City resident at the hearing spoke of how he entered pit bulls in dog shows with his family, and his son held up a first-place trophy from one such event.
• A review of the city's vicious dogs ordinance.
• Regulations for pit bulls inside vs. outside a residence. The ordinance as it currently stands requires pit bulls to wear a muzzle and leash in public, and to be fenced in or enclosed when outside their owner's residence.
City attorney Bob Gehler said that if passed, the ordinance would allow current pit bull owners to "grandfather" their dogs and legally keep them in the city, provided they register their dogs by Nov. 1 and follow ordinance requirements, which also include a $100,000 liability insurance policy.
So many signed up to speak Monday night that before public testimony began, Commerce City Mayor Sean Ford asked those opposing the ban and those supporting it to each choose a spokesperson. That person would get 10 minutes to speak at the lectern, he said, while everyone following would get two minutes.
The opposing side chose Dias, a Denver resident who has started a group to advocate against pit bull bans.
Katharine McIntyre, of Commerce City, represented supporters of the ban.
"When a pit bull is in attack mode, they have a history of not backing down," she said. "Everyone in this city, from the children to the seniors, needs to feel safe in their community."
In a packed gymnasium at the Commerce City Recreation Center, members of a largely one-sided crowd spoke out against what many called "breed-specific legislation" that they said unfairly characterizes pit bulls.
"These dogs are not monster killers," Sonya Dias said. "We're talking about family dogs."
About 150 people attended the hearing. More than 20 people spoke against the ordinance, including state Rep. Debbie Stafford, R-Aurora, who touted a state law passed in 2004 that toughens penalties for owners of vicious dogs.
"Give the new law time and toughen your own laws," she told council members before receiving a standing ovation from most of the lively crowd.
Eight of the nine council members approved the ordinance on first reading, with Councilman Orval Lewis abstaining.
The second reading of Ordinance 1593 will occur Sept. 19. Before that time, city spokeswoman Heather Rule said, council members will consider Monday night's testimony and consider amendments on three points:
• An exception for show dogs to the spaying and neutering requirement. A Commerce City resident at the hearing spoke of how he entered pit bulls in dog shows with his family, and his son held up a first-place trophy from one such event.
• A review of the city's vicious dogs ordinance.
• Regulations for pit bulls inside vs. outside a residence. The ordinance as it currently stands requires pit bulls to wear a muzzle and leash in public, and to be fenced in or enclosed when outside their owner's residence.
City attorney Bob Gehler said that if passed, the ordinance would allow current pit bull owners to "grandfather" their dogs and legally keep them in the city, provided they register their dogs by Nov. 1 and follow ordinance requirements, which also include a $100,000 liability insurance policy.
So many signed up to speak Monday night that before public testimony began, Commerce City Mayor Sean Ford asked those opposing the ban and those supporting it to each choose a spokesperson. That person would get 10 minutes to speak at the lectern, he said, while everyone following would get two minutes.
The opposing side chose Dias, a Denver resident who has started a group to advocate against pit bull bans.
Katharine McIntyre, of Commerce City, represented supporters of the ban.
"When a pit bull is in attack mode, they have a history of not backing down," she said. "Everyone in this city, from the children to the seniors, needs to feel safe in their community."