|
Vet Warns Dog Owners: STAY OUT OF
DENVER
Pit Bull Videos
Courtesy of Dr. Paula Terifaj,
DVM:  
Please donate to help keep these
posters displayed in Denver.
"If you are the dog owner of an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier,
Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any mixed breed dog with the physical
characteristics of the above breeds, you are not welcomed anywhere
within the city limits of Denver. Not even for a
visit! In fact, living in Denver has become a death sentence
for more than 1,700 dogs and still counting.
I believe you must be sadly unaware of
Denver’s dog ban against the above
mentioned breeds. In 2005, the city of Denver adopted
a breed ban that forced dog owners to either re-locate or surrender
their dogs. Any dog fitting the physical description of a “pit bull”
will be confiscated and euthanized, regardless of temperament.
Please do your own research and report on these facts. You will be
doing your readers a great service.
I urge you to print a retraction removing
Denver as a prized dog-friendly
city desirable to dog owners. Also, please issue a warning to all
dog owners that it is not safe to visit, let alone move to Denver if your
dog looks anything like a “pit bull”. Thousands of innocent family
dogs have either lost their homes (being surrendered to animal
rescue groups and shelters outside of Denver) or have been executed under
breed ban ordinance sec. 8-55.
Denver Code Sec. 8-55. Pit bulls
prohibited.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any
person to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain,
harbor, transport, or sell within the city any pit bull.
(1) An "owner," for purposes of this
chapter, is defined as any person who owns, possesses, keeps,
exercises control over, maintains, harbors, transports or sells an
animal.
(2) A "pit bull," for purposes of
this chapter, is defined as any dog that is an American Pit Bull
Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier,
or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one (1)
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. The A.K.C. and U.K.C. standards
for the above breeds are on file in the office of the clerk and
recorder, ex officio clerk of the City and County of Denver, at City
Clerk Filing No. 89457.
(3) A "secure temporary enclosure,"
for purposes of this chapter, is a secure enclosure used for
purposes of transporting a pit bull and which includes a top and
bottom permanently attached to the sides except for a "door" for
removal of the pit bull. Such enclosure must be of such material,
and such door closed and secured in such a manner, that the pit bull
cannot exit the enclosure on its own.
(c) Exceptions. The prohibition in
subsection (a) of this section shall not apply in the following
enumerated circumstances. Failure by the owner to comply and remain
in compliance with all of the terms of any applicable exception
shall subject the pit bull to immediate impoundment and disposal
pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, and shall operate to
prevent the owner from asserting such exception as a defense in any
prosecution under subsection (a).
(1) The owner of a pit bull, who has
applied for and received a dog license for such pit bull pursuant to
section 8-61 at the Denver Municipal Animal Shelter on or before the
date of publication of the ordinance enacting this section 8-55
[August 7, 1989], who has applied for and received a pit bull
license in accordance with subsection (d) of this section, and who
maintains the pit bull at all times in compliance with the put bull
license requirements of subsection (d) of this section and all other
applicable requirements of this chapter, may keep a pit bull within
the city.
(2) The city's municipal animal
shelter may temporarily harbor and transport any pit bull for
purposes of enforcing the provisions of this chapter.
(3) Any humane society operating an
animal shelter which is registered and licensed by the city may
temporarily hold any pit bull that it has received or otherwise
recovered, but only for so long as it takes to contact the city's
municipal animal shelter and either turn the pit bull over to the
municipal animal shelter employees or receive permission to destroy
or have destroyed the pit bull pursuant to the provisions of
subsection (e).
(4) A person may temporarily
transport into and hold in the city a pit bull only for the purpose
of showing such pit bull in a place of public exhibition, contest or
show sponsored by a dog club association or similar organization.
However, the sponsor of the exhibition, contest, or show must
receive written permission from the manager, must obtain any other
permits or licenses required by city ordinance, and must provide
protective measures adequate to prevent pit bulls from escaping or
injuring the public. The person who transports and holds a pit bull
for showing shall, at all times when the pit bull is being
transported within the city to and from the place of exhibition,
contest, or show, keep the pit bull confined in a "secure temporary
enclosure" as defined in subdivision (b)(3).
(5) Except as provided in subdivision
(4), above, the owner of a pit bull may temporarily transport
through the city a pit bull only if such owner has obtained a valid
transport permit from the manager. Upon request, the manager shall
issue such permits only upon a showing by the owner that the pit
bull is being transported either from a point outside the city to a
destination outside the city, or from a point outside the city to an
airport, train station or bus station within the city. In the latter
case, such owner must provide evidence of an intent to send or take
the pit bull outside of the city by producing an airline, train or
bus ticket, or other equivalent document, showing a departure time
within six (6) hours of the time of the transport. At all times when
the pit bull is being transported within the city, it must be kept
confined in a "secure temporary enclosure" as defined in subdivision
(b)(3) of this section. In all cases before issuing a transport
permit, the manager must find that the transport would not
constitute an unnecessary or undue danger to the public health,
welfare or safety, and shall not issue the permit where the manager
cannot so find. All transport permits issued shall only be valid for
the time, date and pit bull specified on the permit, and shall not
be construed to permit any activity otherwise
prohibited.
(d) The owner of any pit bull which
had been licensed pursuant to section 8-61 on or before the date of
publication of the ordinance enacting this section 8-55 (Ordinance
No. 404, Series of 1989) shall be allowed to keep such pit bull
within the city upon compliance with the terms of the exception
contained in subdivision (c)(1) of this section only if the owner
applies for and receives an annual pit bull license on or before
January 1, 1990. As a condition of issuance of a pit bull license,
the owner shall at the time of application comply with or otherwise
provide sufficient evidence that the owner is in compliance
withall
of
the following regulations:
(1) The owner of the pit bull shall
provide proof of rabies vaccination and shall pay the annual pit
bull license fee of fifty dollars ($50.00).
(2) The owner of the pit bull shall
keep current the license for such pit bull through annual renewal.
Such license is not transferable and shall be renewable only by the
holder of the license or by a member of the immediate family of such
licensee. A pit bull license tag will be issued to the owner at the
time of issuance of the license. Such license tag shall be attached
to the pit bull by means of a collar or harness and shall not be
attached to any pit bull other than the pit bull for which the
license was issued. If the pit bull tag is lost or destroyed, a
duplicate tag may be issued upon the payment of a two-dollar
fee.
(3) The owner must be at least
twenty-one (21) years of age as of January 1, 1990.
(4) The owner shall present to the
manager proof that the owner has procured liability insurance in the
amount of at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00),
covering any damage or injury which may be caused by a pit bull
during the twelve-month period covered by the pit bull license. The
policy shall contain a provision requiring the insurance company to
provide written notice to the manager not less than fifteen (15)
days prior to any cancellation, termination, or expiration of the
policy.
(5) The owner shall, at the owner's
own expense, have the pit bull spayed or neutered and shall present
to the manager documentary proof from a licensed veterinarian that
this sterilization has been performed.
(6) The owner shall bring the pit
bull to the Denver Municipal Animal Shelter where a person
authorized by the manager shall cause a registration number assigned
by the department to be tattooed or otherwise marked on the pit
bull. The manager shall maintain a file containing the registration
numbers and names of the pit bulls and the names and addresses of
the owners. The owner shall notify the manager of any change of
address.
(7) At all times when a pit bull is
at the property of the owner, the owner shall keep the pit bull
"confined," as that term is defined in subsection 8-52(b). At all
times when a pit bull is away from the property of the owner, the
owner shall keep the pit bull either securely leashed and muzzled or
in a "secure temporary enclosure," as that term is defined in
subdivision (b)(3) of this section.
(8) The owner shall not sell or
otherwise transfer the pit bull to any person except a member of the
owner's immediate family who will then become the owner and will be
subject to all of the provisions of this section. The owner shall
notify the manager within five (5) days in the event that the pit
bull is lost, stolen, dies, or has a litter. In the event of a
litter, the owner must deliver the puppies to the Denver Municipal
Animal Shelter for destruction or permanently remove the puppies
from Denver and provide sufficient evidence of such removal by the
time the puppies are weaned, but in no event shall the owner be
allowed to keep in Denver a pit bull puppy born after the date of
publication of Ordinance No. 404, Series 1989, that is more than
eight (8) weeks old. Any pit bull puppies kept contrary to the
provisions of this subdivision are subject to immediate impoundment
and disposal pursuant to subsection (e) of this section.
(9) The owner shall have posted at
each possible entrance to the owner's property where the pit bull is
kept a conspicuous and clearly legible pit bull sign. Such pit bull
sign must be at least eight (8) inches by ten (10) inches in
rectangular dimensions and shall contain only the words "PIT BULL
DOG" in lettering not less than two (2) inches in
height.
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of
Article VIII of this chapter, the manager is authorized to
immediately impound any pit bull found in the City and County of
Denver which does not fall within the exceptions listed in
subsection (c), above, and the municipal animal shelter may house or
dispose of such pit bull in such manner as the manager may deem
appropriate, except as the procedures in subsection (f), below,
otherwise require.
(f) When the manager has impounded
any pit bull dog pursuant to this section, and the owner of such dog
disputes the classification of such dog as a pit bull, the owner of
such dog may file a written petition with the manager for a hearing
concerning such classification no later than seven (7) days after
impoundment. Such petition shall include the name and address,
including mailing address, of the petitioner. The manager will then
issue a notice of hearing date by mailing a copy to the petitioner's
address no later than ten (10) days prior to the date of the
hearing. Where no written request from the owner for a hearing is
received by the manager within seven (7) days of impoundment, the
pit bull shall be destroyed.
The hearing, if any, will be held before the manager
or a hearing officer designated by the manager. Any facts which the
petitioners wishes to be considered shall be submitted under oath or
affirmation either in writing or orally at the hearing. The manager
or hearing officer shall make a final determination whether the dog
is a pit bull as defined in subsection (b)(2) of this section. Such
final determination shall be considered a final order of the manager
subject to review under Rule 106(a)(4) of the state rules of civil
procedure.
If the dog is found to be a pit bull, it shall be
destroyed, unless the owner produces evidence deemed sufficient by
the manager that the pit bull is to be permanently taken out of
Denver and the owner pays the cost of impoundment. If the dog is
found not to be a pit bull, the dog shall be released to the owner.
The procedures in this subsection (f) shall not apply and the owner
is not entitled to such a hearing with respect to any dog which was
impounded as the immediate result of an attack or bite as defined in
section 8-51. In those instances, the dog shall be handled and the
procedures governed by the provisions of article VIII of this
chapter.
(Ord. No. 404-89, § 1, 7-31-89; Ord. No. 631-89, §
1, 10-23-89; Ord. No. 1110-96, § 1, 12-16-96)
Quoted from the Never in Denver Buycott:
12:59
pm PDT, Oct 10, Kira Valentine,
Colorado
"I would like to say that some of
the best dogs I have had have been pit bulls. What will it take for
you to realize that it is not the dog - it is the owner. Look at all
the other publized and non regarding dog bites! German Sheperds,
Chow's, Rotties, Chihuahua's....they all bite - because of the
OWNER. I was horrified at your city officials when they came and
took my pitbull away. Our neighbor falsified statements regarding my
deaf pitbull - whom never barked, never bit, was only the sweetest
dog imagineable! Your "officials" came and took him like he was a
criminal in front of my then 3 year old daughter. What did you guys
just teach her??? I was teaching her that the police were there to
protect her and get bad guys.....you just made me a
liar!"
Please
see:
Never in Denver Boycott: Freedom loving
Americans together with our fellow global allies have promised not
to spend a single dollar in Denver. No vacations. No homes. No
Shopping. Can you hear that Denver?
Boycott Denver Petition
please click on paw 
*****************************************************************************
To my
colleagues at the American Board of Veterinary
Practitioners,
As a proud member of
our veterinary profession for the past twenty-five years, I continue
to be disappointed by the lack of organizational support the
veterinary community has shown in opposition to breed discriminatory
laws — both by city governments and insurance companies. The pet
owning public expects that veterinarians will act in the best
interests their pet’s welfare and protect them from foreseeable
harm. As a collective group, we have failed and ignored the dire
consequences of allowing cancerous legislation that seeks to destroy
a dog based solely on physical characteristics.
If you hold your event in Denver, you
are shaking hands with a city that carelessly violates our freedom
of choice to purchase or adopt a dog. You are in effect endorsing
the deaths of nearly 2,000 dogs that Denver has forcibly taken from
family homes and killed. Choosing an alternate city to host your
symposium would send a powerful message to Denver ’s city leaders.
Be aware that other cities across our country have looked at
Denver ’s breed ban as a model ordinance to copy! For full
disclosure of what has tragically happened in Denver , please visit:
www.DenverKillsDogs.com.
Don’t become a silent partner by financially
rewarding a city that has insulted responsible dog owners and
stripped away their dog ownership rights. Announce that you will
take your event and revenue to a nearby Colorado city, such as
Boulder , which welcomes all dogs and the clients we have vowed to
serve.
Respectfully,
Paula Terifaj, DVM
foundersvet.com
Calling all Rovers!
We have just updated DenverKillsDogs.com
with a sign-up function for Campaign Kick Out 2010. This is
especially important for folks in the Denver Metro
area - so please forward to all your contacts in
Colorado!
We intend to remove those city
council members who remain in favor of the breed
ban:
Abopt
a shelter animal: President-elect Obama did! See a
video about their new dog!
A Pit Bull's
prayer:
I found this, while I was
crying;
It's lonely here in prison,
I dream
of sun, of fields,
I saw them from a window once,
but I don't
know how they feel.
I've never known a caress,
a friend, a
bone, a toy,
I'd happily companion,
a human girl or
boy.
But some men have
decided,
with selfishness and
greed,
that my fate shall be a cage,
and for my keep,
I'll breed.
What should fuel this folly?
My kind may bark
in vain.
We care not for your commerce,
and few know
of our pain.
We're hidden well from
justice,
for our
freedom same may cry.
God grant me, please, just one
request -
Let me play once before I die.
Possible changes coming for BSL in
Denver:
In regards
to Kelley's absurd statements – your city leadership has put him in
charge of a 3 ring circus, making Denver look all the more
incredulous. It would be funny if the consequences were not so
dire for the innocent family dogs you continue to hunt and slaughter
in the name of ‘public safety’.
Doesn’t
Denver have any real criminals to
chase after– like thieves, rapists, domestic abusers or drunk
drivers?
Ruling on
"pit
bull" revives debate on Denver's
ban
By Jordan
Steffen
303-954-1638
or
jsteffen@denverpost.com
On Monday, an administrative
judge ruled that Denver Animal Care and Control must remove the
pit bull breed label from Kevin
O'Connell's dog.
On Friday, O'Connell, 40, of
Thornton, and his boxer-mix Dexter celebrated the
ruling.
O'Connell's attorney,
Jennifer Edwards of The Animal Law Center,
said the reversal could be a first step toward combating the
controversial ordinance that bans pit bulls from Denver.
"This
ruling absolutely disqualifies Denver in having any expertise in
breed determining," Edwards said.
Breed determination, Edwards
said, is the crux of the city's ability to enforce its ban on pit
bulls.
During a July business trip,
O'Connell left Dexter with friends who live in Denver. Animal control was called to the
residence on an unrelated incident and saw Dexter in the
backyard.
Officers suspected Dexter of
being a pit bull and seized him. A few days later, the dog was
subjected to a breed examination, during which he was found to have
a majority of pit-bull characteristics.
O'Connell challenged the
finding.
Animal Control director Doug
Kelley said that this is not the first time a classification has
been lifted and it is not uncommon for dog owners to contest exam
results.
"This
is the example of why we have this process in place," Kelley said,
"and this outcome only demonstrates that it is
working."
Once a confiscated dog is
labeled a pit bull, it can no longer live in or visit Denver. Dogs
in violation may be relocated or euthanized.
The exam panel is made up of
two animal-control officers and a veterinarian technician, each of
whom completes an exam of the dog to determine its breed
characteristics, Kelley said.
Edwards, who presented
testimony from American Kennel Club judges and
professional dog handlers during the hearing, said the
city's process is inadequate and
called the examiners unqualified. She said this ruling
could lead to more dog owners coming forward to challenge the
results of exams.
But
Kelley said city dog examiners receive special training and field
experience in determining a dog's breed based on its physical
characteristics and traits.
PLEASE
CROSS POST TO EXPOSE CORRUPT POWER OF AUTHORITY BY DENVER
Paula
Terifaj DVM
www.30MinVetConsult.com/blog
Please cross post this link by the Animal Law
Coalition - website of Laura Allen, an animal-law
attorney. Another great ally in the fight against BSL
This site hosted by: 
20100505-PM
 Changing
LINKS Scrub The
Web
|
