Spend No Dollars in Denver, Colorado
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?
More info at http://www.denverkillsdogs.com/
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?
More info at http://www.denverkillsdogs.com/
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
What if someone killed a family member of yours because they don't like their looks?
I am sick to my stomach about this ignorance!
A narrow minded ignorant city is no place I'll ever go. Shame on you all who live there and support BSL.
Any place that supports BSL is no place for me, my dogs, or my money.
This is outrageous !!!!! I know the sweetest, most gentle, loving Pit Bull - BigBoy. An animal who is treated with kindness & in a loving home will be a loving dog. It is the people who are vicious & uncaring about animals that create these problems. I will boycott Denver.
Is this a form of racism??? I know that is a catchy word to use, but is one that no one wants to admit to or be accused of. To ban a breed for things that their owners are responsible for is Un-Justifiable. All dogs should be given the opportunity to have their say. I have know several pitbulls both full breed and mixed, and all of them where very loving and loyal dogs. It is true that many low class people have breed the dogs for fighting or to just make money, but that should be handled seperately. It should not be the rule to make the Pit Bull the problem, but the breeder's and owners.
Having BSL is a prejudice against a breed of dog. Are you going to initiate a BSL against a "breed" of people you do not want in your city too?
This is absolutely horrible!! To exterminate a dog just because they are a certain breed?! How predjudiced is that?! Not all pit bulls are aggressive, mean dogs. The ones that are have been raised that way by HUMANS!!! They are the ones at fault, not these innocent dogs!! So instead of killing off thousands of dogs, whether they are mean or not, why doesn't somebody do something about the ones that are creating dogs to be this way?! These sick people should be the ones being punished, not the animals. I'm outraged by this, and I will be boycotting Denver!!!!
I am a very proud owned of a male Pit Bull we physically rescued ourselves 9-years ago. Not only is he so gentle & loving with our newborn twin boys (who are now 8-months old), he also accompanies me to my office everyday. He has a large fan club along the Esplande (Beach walk) in Redondo Beach, CA as well as our large office building. I shall actively boycott anything to do with Denver.
I'm a proud owner of 3 "pit bulls" they are by far the best dogs I have ever owned and they are members of my family. I will never again support the city or county of Denver Colorado nor will I support businesses that are based in this region. I will actively continue to spreed the word to Boycott Denver Colorado. "Ban the Deed not the Breed"
Ignorant laws made and passed by Ignorant people. No scientific facts to back any of it up. Why do "we the people" put up with this kind of crap. Guns kill people, water drowns people, forks and spoons make people fat, Cars and motor cycles kill people. What the hell ever happened to common sense?
canine racism is so truly ignorant and sad. this breed of dog is one of the friendliest and passes temperment test above almost all dogs,including labs, shepherds, poodles. how about baning the human breed that forces and trains these dogs to attack? the average family pit bull breed dog is truly an amazing and loving dog.
Denver needs to give it's head a good shake. NOW golden retrievers lead dog attacks. They are going to BAN them also?
I will actively check everything I buy online to make sure they are not based out of Denver, nor even have a branch in Denver before I purchase anything!!! The larger American move to ban racial profiling has hurt your racist souls, so you have to pick on animals to make you feel big. I hope you all end up in dog fighting pits for eternity! God saved every animal on Noah's ark so you would have the oppritunity to Play Hitler to specific breed of animals!
This is the most disgusting thing I've ever heard of! How could you take this dog away from the family that loved him so much?! I will never go to Denver for ANYTHING, let alone the state of Colorado...even if it means I have to go out of my way to avoid it!! Rediculous, do some research and get a brain!!
I own a 12 year old American Pit Bull Terrier who has never been agressive to a human being and is the best dog I have ever had. Breedism is just plain wrong.
It is not the breed of dog that should be banned but more the irresponsible dog owner that should be held accountable and fined. Also, spaying and neutering of pets should be made mandatory unless the dog or cat is in the hands of a registered breeder.
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8:46 am PDT, Jul 1,
Jenny Price, Texas
Jenny Price |
This is horrible. You, John Hickenlooper are an evil man. I seriously can't believe what I've just read. You are no better than Hitler. Kill them all no matter what. I hope when you look in the mirrow at night, you see yourself for the evil person you are and make the change before it's too late for you. God loves all and that's all you have going for you.
Breed discrimnation at it's worse, what's next racial discrimination because looking a certain way interferes with daily life? This is absolutely unacceptable.
I visit Denver several times a years and have participated in the Denver Marathon in October for the past two years. I am boycotting Denver and any activites, events, or business affiliations in Denver until this ignorance stops.
