Aurora residents will have the chance to vote on whether to repeal the city’s pit bull ban this November, bringing the issue back to the community after years of debate. The nearly 20-year-old ban was upheld by voters in 2014, lifted by the City Council in 2021, and reinstated earlier this year following a legal challenge that argued the decision should rest with voters.
Bryon Taylor, a volunteer for End Aurora Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL), explained that a ‘Yes’ vote would eliminate the breed-specific ban and apply dangerous dog legislation to all breeds, based on behavior rather than breed. On the other hand, a ‘No’ vote would maintain the ban, which some worry could lead to negative outcomes like abandonment of pit bulls or lack of training and care.
Supporters of lifting the ban argue that aggression is more about how a dog is raised rather than the breed itself. Critics, however, believe pit bulls pose a unique danger. The outcome of the vote will have a significant impact on pit bull owners in Aurora, who remain uncertain about how they will be affected if the ban continues.
Several other Colorado cities, including Denver, Louisville, and La Junta, also have breed-specific legislation in place.
