Title
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 4 OF THE COMMERCE CITY REVISED MUNICIPAL CODE, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE ANIMAL CODE TO REMOVE BREED SPECIFIC REGULATIONS AND ADDRESS DANGEROUS AND VICIOUS ANIMALS, TO AMEND ANIMAL DISTURBANCE REGULATIONS, TO AMEND PROCEDURES RELATING TO ANIMAL IMPOUNDMENT AND DISPOSITION, AND TO AMEND OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF ANIMALS IN THE CITY OF COMMERCE CITY
Body
The proposed ordinance addresses a Council request to replace the City's existing pit bull ban and address dangerous and vicious animals without reference to breed. The proposed ordinance also makes a number of changes to modernize the City's Animal Code. City Council reviewed the proposed ordinance during a study session on August 12, 2019, and regular meetings on January 6 and September 21, 2020.
Breed-Specific Legislation Background
The most significant change to the animal code pertains to Commerce City’s pit bull ban. Sec. 4-2011 of the code currently prohibits the ownership of pit bulls in most circumstances. Ordinance 1593 was passed in 2005 in the wake of several high-profile pit bull attacks in the Metro Area and only allows pit bulls in the city if they are being transported through town, owned prior to the ordinance passing, part of a sanctioned dog show approved by the police, or possessed by a city employee as dictated by their duties. Any animals grandfathered in are regulated and must be vaccinated and microchipped, muzzled and leashed when in public, secured in an enclosure when at home, and the owner must carry $100,000 in liability insurance. Prior to Ordinance 1593, pit bulls were allowed in the city but had to be securely fenced in the yard per Ordinance 817 passed in 1987. Going back to 2012, the municipal court has prosecuted an average of around 4 violations of Sec. 4-2011 every year.
It is important to note that there is no singular breed called the ‘pit bull.’ Pit bull is a generic term applied to breeds possessing similar physical ch...
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