FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Attorneys with The Animal Law Center in Wheatridge, Colorado are pleased to announce that the City of Denver is reconsidering two portions of its 20-year-old ban on pit bulls. In a meeting of City’s Health, Safety, Education and Services Committee on Tuesday, August 24, 2010, City Attorney David Broadwell introduced revisions to the ban that would allow residents to own pit bulls designated as service dogs.

“This move brings Denver in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Jennifer Edwards, lawyer and founder of The Animal Law Center. “The ADA allows the use of pit bulls as service dogs. As a Federal Law, it preempts any municipal breed specific ban in cases where the animal has been trained and designated as a service dog.”

On May 31, 2010, The Animal Law Center filed a Federal Lawsuit that challenges the breed bans in Denver and Aurora on behalf of three clients who own pit bull service dogs. Each of the plaintiffs uses their animal to assist them daily with life tasks.

The lawsuit also disputes restrictions on transporting pit bulls through Denver. One of the plaintiffs in the case was told that she could not enter Denver with her two pit bull service dogs. Revisions introduced by Broadwell on Tuesday also lift onerous transport restrictions on pit bull owners who may travel through Denver.

“Several municipalities in Colorado ban pit bulls,” said Edwards. “We hope that they follow Denver’s lead and alter their bans to bring them in line with the ADA.”

About The Animal Law Center:  The Animal Law Center provides an array of legal services for animal owners and guardians.  We are the only dedicated animal law practice in Colorado and are one of the few firms in the United States that practice animal-related law on a full time basis.  While individual members of The Animal Law Center hold political and ethical beliefs related to animals, the ALC considers ALL cases, regardless of a potential client’s political and ethical views. The ALC is a firm that practices law as it pertains to animals, not necessarily animal-rights law. For more information: www.theanimallawcenter.com