AnimalVoicesNews
See attached email from Jennifer Edwards of The Animal Law Center.
Go Jennifer!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
Source/Letters: The Denver Post <openforum @ denverpost.com> (close spaces)
Comments/Link: <http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13535727>
denver and the west
Ruling on "pit bull" revives
debate on Denver's ban
By Jordan Steffen 303-954-1638 or <jsteffen @ denverpost.com>
The Denver Post
Posted: 10/11/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT
Updated: 10/11/2009 12:51:38 PM MDT
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.
Article Comments (30)
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This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
for any commercial purpose.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
Judy Reed
AnimalVoices
Speaking For Animals & Their Environment
Liberal, Progressive, Secular, Green, & Humane
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[ Attached Message ]
| From: |
"Jennifer Reba Edwards" <j...@theanimallawcenter.com> |
| To: |
"'Jennifer Reba Edwards'" <j...@theanimallawcenter.com> |
| Date: |
Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:48:25 -0600 |
| Local: |
Tues, Oct 13 2009 12:48 pm
|
| Subject: |
ANIMAL LAW CENTER SUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGES DENVER'S BREED BAN EVALUATION PROCESS |
Hello,
On October 2, 2009, attorneys at the Animal Law Center made it quite clear
that Denver has questionable procedures when it comes to enforcing their pit
bull ban. For one thing, the "experts" the city uses are far from qualified
to make breed determinations. Thousands of family dogs may have wrongfully
been killed already. Is this really the fate we want for man's best friend?
Read the stories provided in the links that follow to learn more.
http://www.thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=6009
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/21268216/detail.html
http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-pitbull-100909,0,5301116.story
http://www.2thedeuce.com/news/kdvr-pitbull-100909,0,6808444.story
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_13535727
Best,
Jennifer
JENNIFER REBA EDWARDS, ESQ.
___________________________________________
ALC Logo midsize
1-877-PET LAW 1
HEADQUARTERS
4465 Kipling Street
Suite 108
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
1-877-PET LAW 1
(local) 303-322-4355
(fax) 303-322-4354
<mailto:jenni...@thomaidislaw.com> j...@theanimallawcenter.com
<http://www.theanimallawcenter.com> www.theanimallawcenter.com
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