We’re taking a pitstop in Denver for a pinch of positive political news today. Denver has officially repealed the breed ban on pit bulls in favor of a provisional permit based system. This position posits a change in the status of pit bull ownership from ‘illegal’ to ‘restricted.’ While it doesn’t fling the dog door wide open to owning a pit bull in Denver, it does open up a pathway to legal ownership through a rigorous breed restriction permitting process.
For over 30 years pit bulls and pit bull related breeds such as the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, have been banned in Denver. Now, with Ballot Measure 2J, Denver has reversed course and put forth a restricted permitting process that allows these dogs to live in Denver under specific conditions. This process enables Denver residents to register their pit bulls with the Denver Animal Shelter in order to receive a permit for a restricted breed, and eventually, after a three year probationary period, register for unrestricted ownership.
The restrictions placed on pit bulls are limiting but certainly a step in the opposite direction from illegality. The permitting process requires a lot from pit bull owners but there is a light at the end of the permit shaped tunnel. If after 3 years of being registered as a fully permitted pet in Denver, if the pit bull in question doesn’t violate any of the permitting conditions, pit bull owners can request to be removed from breed specific restrictions.
This detail is a massive opportunity for pit bulls and pit bull owners to reestablish the reputation for the breed in the city of Denver and beyond. Hopefully this encourages pit bull owners in Denver to register their pups, but to work extra hard to show that pit bulls everywhere are sweet, lovabull and worth accepting into the pet loving community. If you want to show your support for this adorabull breed check out our pit bull designs today!