Dogs are an integral part of our families and communities whose companionship contributes to the social and psychological well being of people from all walks of life. Public policy is a critical aspect which can determine the quality of this special relationship we share with our canines. It should not be taken for granted. In all too many communities, citizens and their dogs are unduly denied access to parks, public transportation, and even a place to live. And sadly, negative public policy can cost a dog its own life. Look what happened in Denver ...
On Monday, May 9, 2005, the Denver Division of Animal Control began enforcing a city-wide ban on owning pit bull terriers, and initiated an aggressive campaign of seizing beloved family pets, and killing them against their owner’s will.
This ordinance is an indiscriminant ban that demands the eradication and disposal of ALL dogs that are classified as pit bulls or pit bull mixes, even if the dog has never done anything wrong, and consistently remains confined to the owner’s property.
Dog owners who refuse to surrender their pets face up to a year in jail and a $999 fine. This ordinance also bans shelters and humane societies from harboring pit bulls, and even goes so far as to forbid any US resident from transporting a pit bull through Denver without a permit.
