Aurora, Colorado – Aurora’s pit bulls can relax. They are now lawful again.
The City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Monday that removes pit bulls off the city’s list of restricted breeds. The pits were forbidden in Aurora after a judge found that the council’s repeal of a previous prohibition was invalid.
The council first prohibited pit bulls in 2005. In 2011, the ordinance was amended to remove various breeds from the ban list but not pit bulls, one of three kinds still prohibited.
In 2020, the council amended the rule to prohibit “dangerous” animals, making particular breed restrictions superfluous. However, after a judge found that Aurora’s repeal of the prohibition was illegal, the council resolved to ask voters if pit bulls should be allowed. The Nov. 6 vote, Prop. 3A, made pit bulls legal residents of the city.
Residents show love for pit bulls
Residents repeatedly informed the council during public comment sessions over the last year that pit bulls should remain lawful. “You’re not taking my dog,” said Robbie DeYoung, who typically meets with the council about stolen autos.
“I love my dog,” she replied, holding back tears. She said her dog defends her, sleeps with her at night, and kisses her in the morning to remind DeYoung to take her outside.
DeYoung held up multiple sheets of paper that she said represented the amount of animal bites in the city. She stated that between 2021 and 2024, there were 199 bites by domestic shorthaired cats in Aurora, which is twice as many as pit bull bites. “This is totally unfair, and I have all the statistics to prove it.”
Residents who spoke at an April council meeting stated that a dog’s temperament is not determined by its breed. They stated that the manner in which a dog is socialized matters. Tanya Tabacheck, an Aurora resident who has a Cairn terrier, believes a poorly socialized Chihuahua is more likely to attack than a properly socialized pit bull.
Council member Danielle Jurinsky said Monday that there was “a lot of work organization and activation behind this, and as council member (Crystal) Murilllo stated, this is something that has kept our city in limbo.” The score has been resolved, and the people have spoken.”