In honor of Forrest and all dogs in Denver facing breed extermination, We the undersigned make Denver this promise: We will keep our dollars out of Denver until the repeal of your breed ban ordinance [sec 8-55 Municipal Code].
As a misguided public safety measure, Denver's breed ban mandates the confiscation and killing of any dog fitting the description of a "pit bull" or a mixed breed dog having the physical characteristics of a "pit bull." Since May 2005, Denver has ordered and carried out the killing of more than 1,700 dogs merely because they were, or looked like, a "pit bull."
Even friendly, non-aggressive family dogs, like Forrest, belonging to the McGahey family, do not escape Denver's death warrant. When Denver Animal Control picked up Forrest, a lost dog from Adams County (borders Denver city limits) in July 2008, Chris McGahey was forced to hire an attorney to keep Denver from killing his dog. Forrest was incarcerated at the shelter for two months while Chris and his attorney Karen Breslin did everything possible to secure the release of Forrest. Pleading for Forrest's return, Chris promised to move to Ft Collins (57 miles north of Denver), pay any fines, and never again visit the city of Denver.
Not good enough for Denver.
After a loud public outcry barraged city officials with letters and phone calls, Forrest was kicked out of Colorado and surrendered to a rescue organization in St Louis, MO. Denver ordered that Forrest NOT be adopted back to his real family (Stray Dog Rescue, MO confirmed this and must now put Forrest up for adoption). Not only has Denver punished Chris by shipping his beloved dog out of state, Chris is now facing criminal charges against him for violating the breed ban ordinance - punishable by a $5,000 fine and possible jail time. Unbelievable!
Dear City Council members,
You have terrorized dog owners living in Denver and traveling through your fine city long enough. Until you repeal your breed ban and replace it with responsible legislation that will rightly punish irresponsible dog owners in possession of dangerous dogs - regardless of breed - you can look forward to a drop in tourism and fewer home buyers. We expect you will respond to complaints from the travel industry and Denver business owners since you have ignored the voices of outraged dog owners and numerous animal welfare organizations who have spoken out against breed bans and other breed discriminatory laws.
Never in Denver Boycott: Freedom loving Americans together with our fellow global allies have promised not to spend a single dollar in Denver. No vacations. No homes. No Shopping. Can you hear that Denver?
Join an aggressive, grassroots movement to stop the establishment of breed restrictive policies that are taking over our country at http://www.roverlution.org/.
Be the proud dog owner of any breed!
In honor of Forrest and all dogs in Denver facing breed extermination, We the undersigned make Denver this promise: We will keep our dollars out of Denver until the repeal of your breed ban ordinance [sec 8-55 Municipal Code].
As a misguided public safety measure, Denver's breed ban mandates the confiscation and killing of any dog fitting the description of a "pit bull" or a mixed breed dog having the physical characteristics of a "pit bull." Since May 2005, Denver has ordered and carried out the killing of more than 1,700 dogs merely because they were, or looked like, a "pit bull."
Even friendly, non-aggressive family dogs, like Forrest, belonging to the McGahey family, do not escape Denver's death warrant. When Denver Animal Control picked up Forrest, a lost dog from Adams County (borders Denver city limits) in July 2008, Chris McGahey was forced to hire an attorney to keep Denver from killing his dog. Forrest was incarcerated at the shelter for two months while Chris and his attorney Karen Breslin did everything possible to secure the release of Forrest. Pleading for Forrest's return, Chris promised to move to Ft Collins (57 miles north of Denver), pay any fines, and never again visit the city of Denver.
Not good enough for Denver.
After a loud public outcry barraged city officials with letters and phone calls, Forrest was kicked out of Colorado and surrendered to a rescue organization in St Louis, MO. Denver ordered that Forrest NOT be adopted back to his real family (Stray Dog Rescue, MO confirmed this and must now put Forrest up for adoption). Not only has Denver punished Chris by shipping his beloved dog out of state, Chris is now facing criminal charges against him for violating the breed ban ordinance - punishable by a $5,000 fine and possible jail time. Unbelievable!
Dear City Council members,
You have terrorized dog owners living in Denver and traveling through your fine city long enough. Until you repeal your breed ban and replace it with responsible legislation that will rightly punish irresponsible dog owners in possession of dangerous dogs - regardless of breed - you can look forward to a drop in tourism and fewer home buyers. We expect you will respond to complaints from the travel industry and Denver business owners since you have ignored the voices of outraged dog owners and numerous animal welfare organizations who have spoken out against breed bans and other breed discriminatory laws.
Never in Denver Boycott: Freedom loving Americans together with our fellow global allies have promised not to spend a single dollar in Denver. No vacations. No homes. No Shopping. Can you hear that Denver?
Join an aggressive, grassroots movement to stop the establishment of breed restrictive policies that are taking over our country at http://www.roverlution.org/.
Be the proud dog owner of any breed!
I urge you to read the comments left on this petition and see for yourself that Denver is rapidly becoming a very unpopular city for tourists and business owners.
You have the power and influence to repeal your breed ban and put in its place a stronger non-breed specific dangerous dog ordinance. Linda Hart from the Colorado Dog Federation has offered her legislative expertise in this area and has prevented several other Colorado cities from following in Denver's dangerous footsteps. You can contact Linda Hart at (303) 842-1033. Get more info at: http://www.codogfederation.org/
You may also contact me should you wish to hear testimony from a veterinarian and proud owner of two lovable dogs your city has banned and deems fit to kill.
Regards,
Paula Terifaj, DVM
Founders Veterinary Clinic
330 N Brea #F
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 990-0661
