Pro-puppy-cuddler: Would a Beagle+Lab&Pit mix be included in the Aurora, Co "Pit Bull" ban?
I have this adorable little person named "Bandit". He's an adorable 2 1/2 year old dog. He sleeps on his back, with is blaket over him, sucking his paws all night long. He's lazy, bendable, flopable, most wiggly dog I have ever seen!! He just oozes his body off the couch, across peoples laps, across the floor, and just flops his cute self infront of anyone so he can always get what he wants. He's never growled at anything but squirrels, and only barks "I love you!" and "Out side." I love this adorble little guy, but I am worried that I might have to give him up to be put down because of this "Pit Bull" ban in Aurora, Colorado.
Photo Credit: Beverly & Pack/Flickr CC
His mother was an English Beagle, and his father was a Labrador Retriever - Pit Bull Terrier mix. However, he looks just like his mother,white and brown but with longer legs.
Because he is 1/4 Pit Bull will I have to give him up, or will I get to keep him since he's a Mutt. I am having him neutered Today, I worry they will take him from me.
Answers and Views:
Answer by wayne A
I wouldn't think so because to be known as a pitbull cross wouldn't he have to be first registered, you could just deny that he has any pitbull in him if that were the case. Is he registered and did you have to declare his breed (or knowledge of).
We have a restricted dog ban in Australia - which pitbulls are top of the list. Although i had known a family who had a beautiful and suprisingly friendly one which they kept a secret from the authorities, but I think eventually they just moved because of it.
Answer by sal_avalanche
First, the Aurora Pit Bull (American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier) ban doesn't require that you would have to give up the dog – it requires that all Pit Bulls be licensed, that the owner carries a certain amount of insurance, that each dog be micro-chipped and that they be muzzled when in public.
Secondly, there is currently on-going litigation to get the ban lifted, so it may be a moot point anyway. (Photo Credit: Becker1999/Flickr )
Answer by nomorebsi
I am an Aurora Citizen currently working to have the restricted breed ordinance repealed and a dangerous dog ordinance without reference to breed put in to place. I am very knowledgeable about the law here in Aurora. First to answer your question. Technically, if your dog does not have a majority (50%+) of the CHARACTERISTICS as set forth by UKC or AKC guidelines of any of the 10 breeds of dogs that are banned in Aurora, more specifically as per the opinion of 3 animal conrol officers that do the inspections, than your dog is fine. I have to stress though that your dog doesn't have to have any of the 10 breeds in him, just a majority of the characteristics.
Now the city is actually considering repealing the law, this is huge, please write the city council members you support repealing the law and replacing with a dangerous dog ordinance without reference to breed. Second, if your not already here, don't move in to Denver, Aurora, Commerce City, Castle Rock, or Lone Tree if your dog in any way resembles a pit bull. Great cities to live in here are Parker, Lakewood, Golden, and Englewood. Good luck!
Also I don't know who sal_avalanche is but Aurora actually applies to 10 breeds of dogs including all the pit bull breeds. Also if your lucky you will have 24 hours to remove the dog from the city if the dog is found to have a majority of the characteristics of the restricted breeds. You will be imposed a $900 fine along with other costs,they may also immediately cease your dog and your dog will be euthenized following a court hearing.
When the law was enacted existing dogs in the city were grandfathered in if they met certain requirements, but after that date any restricted breeds found in the city may be given the opportunity to leave the city, or will otherwise be euthenized. The on going litigation does not lift the ban at all. It is about a disabled veteran and his service dog.
Know better? Give your own answer to this question!
Gosha says
Don’t risk your pup being taken away by animal services.
“If your dog is impounded by Denver Animal Protection as an illegal pit bull, American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire terrier or Staffordshire bull terrier, it will be brought to the Denver Animal Shelter for an official breed evaluation.”
Please contact Denver Animal Shelter to get your dog evaluated prior if you have concerns. They can do quick preliminary assessment over the e-mail by photos.
Jennifer kohan says
We are planning on moving to Colorado. Not quite sure where yet, Parker or Littleton. We have 3 dogs. A cairn terrier mix, a schnauser mix and a lab mix. Pretty sure our lab is mixed with pit bull. Completely changed my thinking of pit bulls. All his paperwork says lab mix. Are we going to have any problems? Please help, I thought I covered all my bases, lol
Mark says
Why should you worry if your papers say lab mix? Does your dog really look like a pit bull? The laws state: Pit bull is defined as any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of the above breeds or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club for any of the above breeds.
Anyway, currently those laws work only in Aurora, Castle Rock, Commerce City, Denver, Fort Lupton, Lone Tree, Louisville, and Town of Simla. Both Parker and Littleton are in a pit bull friendly area.
Michele says
I adopted a dog who the shelter claimed was a lab. She is definately part pit but we have no idea how much. She also looks like she might have some lab, boxer and grey hound in her, but she definately has a beautiful pit bull head. I registered her as a lab/boxer mix. Any thoughts on how safe we are with being able to keep her in Aurora?
nomorebsl says
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nomorebsl says
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CooperA says
@nomorebsl
I recently adopted a puppy from a shelter in Colorado Springs. They said he is a Staffordshire mix and it says it on the papers. He is only 1/4 Staffordshire but that was the only breed they knew of for sure which is why they put that on his vaccinations/neutering papers. He doesn't look like a pitbull. They think the father was a Corgi. He looks like a shepherd or corgi. You say that if he doesn't have 50% of the characteristics they won't take him away. What if I need to have a pet visit though? It says it on his papers and I live in Aurora. What should I do? Would I be safe bringing him to Parker, CO or will it matter since it says "mix" on his papers?
Please give me some advice.
soconfused says
youre fine as long as hes not registered as a pit anywhere on his papers 9if there are any i dont have papers on my pit) and as long as he doesnt look like a pit bull. but still just because you might not be included in this ban do your best to keep it from happening. remember where your lovely dog comes from that you love so much. you not fighting for the breed is almost like disowning the fact that he does have pit in him. pit bull owners in the nation depend on other pit owners to fight this bsl bs.
Sun says
I agree with wayne. just don't say he has any pitt in him. I don't think you should have to give up your dog just because of what breed it is.