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A Two Year Review of Aurora, Colorado's Pit Bull Ban

Aurora's Pit Bull Ban Shows Results
Aurora, CO - In November 2005, the Aurora City Council adopted an ordinance banning pit bulls from the city. As a result, pit bull complaints are down, as are the number of the dogs that are confiscated. Reports of pit bulls biting people, however, rose slightly in 2007 compared with the previous year, from 11 to 8 accordingly.

Once again, the pro-pit bull community is rumbling. One blog even claims that in 2007, Aurora recorded 172 dogs bites, 15 from pit bulls and 157 from other breeds. What the blog fails to mention -- as most pit bull advocates do -- is that "one victim" equals "one bite count," regardless if the victim suffered one bite or 30, which pit bulls are notorious for inflicting. For instance, this case was recorded as one bite.

Other findings in the city's report reveal more information. For instance, over 635 pit bulls were euthanized in 2006, but only 173 in 2007; and 758 were impounded in 2006, compared with 269 last year. Also, the city issued 238 summonses for violations of the ban in 2006, compared with 137 the following year.

This trend shows a significant decrease in unwanted or unlicensed pit bulls that pose a public safety problem. City Councilman Larry Beer, chairman of the city's code enforcement committee, says:

"I think Aurora is a safer place to be today because of this ordinance."

Residents who already owned pit bulls were allowed to keep the dogs with restrictions. Petrina Morgan, a pit bull owner, she said she supports the ban and has gotten the insurance, put a microchip in her 8-year-old pit bull named Seymore, and done everything else that is required.

Aurora pit bull ban case history:
09/25/05: Neighbor Allegedly Points Gun At Pit Bull, Dog Owner
09/20/05: Commerce City Bans Pit Bulls
09/14/05: 4 Dogs Attack Man As He Works On His Truck
09/13/05: Dogs Shot, Killed After They Attack Goat, Horse
08/18/05: Pit Bulls Attack Aurora Collie As Council Considers Ban
08/16/05: Commerce City Moves Closer To Restricting Pit Bulls
08/15/05: Commerce City Considers Restrictions On Pit Bull Owners
08/14/05: Commerce City's Pit Bull Ordinance Up For Vote
08/09/05: Aurora Seeks Public Input On Pit Bull Ban
07/26/05: Commerce City Considers Pit Bull Ban
07/08/05: Aurora Considers Banning Pit Bulls
07/07/05: Westminster Pit Bull Mauls, Kills Neighbor's Sheltie
06/24/05: Police Kill Pit Bull While Serving Warrant
06/09/05: Pit Bulls Banned Again In Denver
04/08/05: Denver Allowed To Enforce Pit Bull Ban
02/24/05: Pit Bull Shot After Biting Officer
01/26/05: Pit Bull Breaks Chains, Kills 2 Poodles
01/06/05: Owner Of Killer Pit Bulls Turns Herself In
12/15/04: Pit Bull Owner Sentenced For Mauling Death