No, pitbulls are not illegal in Denver. At least that’s the case for now! See, it is true that just a few years ago, this dog breed was banned, but that ban is lifted now. That doesn’t mean there are no rules and regulations regarding how you can keep a pitbull in the city, so just keep on reading more about that to be absolutely clear.
So… Are Pit Bulls Still Banned in Denver?
No, Denver doesn’t ban pit bulls anymore. However, the procedure is not as simple as taking one home after adoption, as with any other dog. It is absolutely true that dogs of this breed was prohibited in the city until 2020. In fact, pit bulls were heavily limited in the city up to the year 2020. When voters in Denver decided to pass a new law in November 2020, it marked a turning point. This new regulation, which did away with the prohibition that had been in effect for 31 years, currently permits pit bulls – but only if specific requirements are met. Plain and simple!
Why Were Pit Bulls Banned in the First Place?
Alright, so for that, let’s see the history side of things for this, shall we? So, in 1989, Denver decided to legally ban pit bulls through a law it passed. The move was a reaction to the dog attack series, which happened during the 1980s and was said to involve pit bull-type breeds. Therefore, the city went for the drastic measure: absolutely no pit bulls were allowed.
For over thirty years, the ban was kept in place. However, gradually the notion of the ban being just came to be doubted by the people. It was mainly among these that it was said that a dog’s behavior depends more on the way the dog is raised than the breed. Finally, Denver citizens decided in 2020 to get rid of the ban and to substitute it with a license system for pit bull ownership.
So How Do You Get a Pit Bull in Denver?
It is not simply a matter of adopting a pit bull and that’s it. Nah! If your dog resembles a pit bull-type breed such as American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or Staffordshire Bull Terrier, you have to follow a few steps.
Like what?
The very first thing you should do is take your dog to Denver Animal Protection, or DAP, for a check-up to confirm the breed. What they refer to as a breed assessment is the call, and it will cost you $25. In case they declare that your dog is one of those breeds that are restricted, you will be required to obtain a breed-restricted permit. That’s how it is! This permit is $30 every year, and you have to renew it for three years.
Here’s what else you’ll need to provide:
- Your name and where you live
- Contact info for two people who can step in during an emergency
- A recent photo and description of your dog
- Proof that your dog is microchipped, has a rabies shot, and is spayed or neutered
And, if there is one more thing to remember: in Denver, a maximum of two pit bulls is allowed per household. Just keep that one in mind!
After 3 Years, The Permit Requirement Ends
If your dog is problem-free for three consecutive years (like no aggressive incidents, no leash violations), you don’t have to keep renewing the special permit whatsoever. From then on, you can simply pit bull register your dog as you would any other dog in the city.
However, if your dog breaches the rules during that time (for example, biting someone or being off-leash), the three-year countdown will be reset, and you will have to go back to the beginning.
