Pit bull owners in Aurora are in limbo after judge reinstates breed ban

Kim Posey
·1 min read
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AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) – Three years after the Aurora City Council voted to remove a pit bull ban in the city, a district court judge reinstated the ban.

City staff say the decision is so recent that the city is still evaluating next steps, which could include enforcement of the ban or appealing the district court judge’s decision.

This issue has a long history. In 2005 the city council voted to ban pit bulls, and in 2014 voters affirmed their support of the ban in a referendum.

But then in 2021, the council voted to remove the ban.

That’s when Matt Snider, an Aurora resident, filed a lawsuit claiming that the council did not have the authority to overturn a ban decided by voters, and a district judge just agreed.

“The city council cannot overturn that without another vote of the people, and they did not do that in this case. This is not about dogs. This is about government living within its delegated authority,” Snider said Monday.

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Now Aurora residents with pit bulls are in a tough spot. They don’t know if or when they will be impacted.

“Now it’s against the law. Six months ago it was OK,” said Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald at VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital.

“I’m not a big fan of breed bans. What I am a fan of is accountable ownership,” Fitzgerald said.

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