Aurora May Soon Lift Ban On Pit Bulls
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) – Eight years ago the city of Aurora banned Pit bulls and now they may soon allow the breed back within city limits.
The breed is one of a handful not allowed.
City Council members will meet on Tuesday to propose overturning the ban.
It's a move that Vietnam War veteran Allen Grider has been hoping for since the ban took effect.
He even went as far as filing lawsuit against the city.
Due to the ban the city took Grider's dog, Precious, from him a few years ago.
"They took her out of my house for no reason," said Grider.
Precious had been his service dog for about 10 years.
"She would come in during the middle of the night when I was having PTSD and wake me up and take me out of the mood I was in," said Grider.
The city of Aurora labeled her an aggressive and dangerous Pit bull.
"She was my heart my soul. That dog was everything to me," said Grider.
Grider sued the city and lost but did get Precious back after a blood test proved she wasn't a Pit bull.
"She was a very good dog," said Grider.
Councilwoman Renee Peterson is behind the push for overturning the ban.
She said the issue is about responsible pet ownership and not about the breed.
The ban has however done some good.
In 2005 the city reported 35 bite reports and now only sees a few per year.
Though Grider now has a new service dog after Precious died last year, he still thinks the ban should be lifted.
"A dog is how people raise it," said Grider.
Instead of the ban Peterson proposes to strengthen the city's vicious dog ordinances by increasing fines for dog bites and attacks.
The meeting will be open to the public at the Aurora City Council building Tuesday afternoon.