Marty
11-11-2005, 05:38 AM
Denver, CO -- An Aurora resident started a petition to stop the pit bull ban, despite the recent attack that left a young boy in critical condition.
Doctors had to amputate the arm of Gregg Jones, 10, who was mauled by three pit bulls in his own backyard. Gregg's mother owns two of the dogs and the other belonged to a woman who moved into the home one week before the attack.
The residents fighting the pit bull ban are collecting signatures for a petition drive.
Supporters of the ban said cases like Jones' should prove why the law is necessary, but critics said the ban isn't fair.
Aurora resident Tony Rivero had to take his pit bull to the pound to be euthanized on Thursday.
"I brought my dog to put it to sleep because I can't afford all those fees," Rivero said.
When Aurora's ban goes into effect, it will allow current owners of the breed to keep their dogs if they pay a $200 fee.
Rivero said he didn't have the money to pay so he took Tyson to the pound. Last week, he also had his other pit bull Toto euthanized.
"That hurt me real bad. I was talking to my wife about it, but we don't have no choice," Rivero said.
Florence Vianzon started circulating a petition hoping to get the ban repealed.
'I just don't believe that it's the breeds fault," Vianzon said.
She said that she may have trouble getting the 4,483 signatures needed to amend the ordinance or force a special election so residents can vote on the ban.
Instead, she plans to appeal to taxpayer interests.
"It costs about $250,000 at the very least to enforce [the ban]," Vianzon said.
Supporters of the ban said they respect the critics' right to challenge it, but they don't think the petition will be successful.
"As long as they're honest and credible with what they're putting forward, I think they'll find the same thing that I have, which is that 9 out of 10 people prefer to live in a safe community and don't think pit bulls contribute to safety," said Molly Markert from the Aurora city council.
Opponents have until November 28 to collect nearly 4500 signatures to send the matter back to the city council.
Vianzon said she has about 20 signatures so far.
If the ban remains, people in Aurora who own the restricted breeds will have to register their dogs and pay the required fees by the end of January.
http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/local_story_314233348.html
Doctors had to amputate the arm of Gregg Jones, 10, who was mauled by three pit bulls in his own backyard. Gregg's mother owns two of the dogs and the other belonged to a woman who moved into the home one week before the attack.
The residents fighting the pit bull ban are collecting signatures for a petition drive.
Supporters of the ban said cases like Jones' should prove why the law is necessary, but critics said the ban isn't fair.
Aurora resident Tony Rivero had to take his pit bull to the pound to be euthanized on Thursday.
"I brought my dog to put it to sleep because I can't afford all those fees," Rivero said.
When Aurora's ban goes into effect, it will allow current owners of the breed to keep their dogs if they pay a $200 fee.
Rivero said he didn't have the money to pay so he took Tyson to the pound. Last week, he also had his other pit bull Toto euthanized.
"That hurt me real bad. I was talking to my wife about it, but we don't have no choice," Rivero said.
Florence Vianzon started circulating a petition hoping to get the ban repealed.
'I just don't believe that it's the breeds fault," Vianzon said.
She said that she may have trouble getting the 4,483 signatures needed to amend the ordinance or force a special election so residents can vote on the ban.
Instead, she plans to appeal to taxpayer interests.
"It costs about $250,000 at the very least to enforce [the ban]," Vianzon said.
Supporters of the ban said they respect the critics' right to challenge it, but they don't think the petition will be successful.
"As long as they're honest and credible with what they're putting forward, I think they'll find the same thing that I have, which is that 9 out of 10 people prefer to live in a safe community and don't think pit bulls contribute to safety," said Molly Markert from the Aurora city council.
Opponents have until November 28 to collect nearly 4500 signatures to send the matter back to the city council.
Vianzon said she has about 20 signatures so far.
If the ban remains, people in Aurora who own the restricted breeds will have to register their dogs and pay the required fees by the end of January.
http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/local_story_314233348.html