Denver voters repeal decades-old pit bull ban

DENVER, Colo. — After more than 30 years, it’s officially legal to own a pit bull in the city of Denver again.

Voters overwhelmingly supported Ballot Measure 2J, lifting the citywide ban on the canine breed that has been in place since 1989, WMAZ reported.

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According to KMGH, 64.5% of voters favored the measure, while 35.5% opposed it.

Going forward, provisional permits may now be issued by the city to pit bull owners, as long as the owner microchips the pup and complies with any additional requirements set by Denver Animal Protection, the TV station reported.

Beginning Jan. 1, Denver residents may now own as many as two pit bulls, but breed-specific permits are required, WMAZ reported.

Denver Animal Protection reported it has already established an initial permitting process for pit bulls and will release information regarding how to schedule a breed assessment in the coming days, the TV station reported.

“You can get all the requirements done,” Lt. Josh Rolfe with the Denver Animal Protection Division stated, adding, “You can get your dog spayed or neutered, get it microchipped, get current vaccinations, but the permit itself can’t be bought until January.”

According to KMGH, the original law was enacted after 20 people were attacked by pit bulls in the previous five years, and one of the victims was a 3-year-old who died as a result of an attack.

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Cox Media Group