Two military veterans and a disabled woman are suing the city of Aurora, county of Denver and the head of Denver animal services for violating the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Both Aurora and Denver include service animals in their Pit Bull ban. That means Pit Bulls who are service animals, providing physical or emotional support to their owners, can legally be killed or removed from the city.
Denver already spends thousands annually on fighting court cases over its breed specific legislation.
The lawsuit is being filed by Allen Grider who is a Vietnam war veteran. He has a dog, Precious, who has provided emotional and psychological support. The dog is a mixed breed and was rescued from a shelter. She spent 10 days in Aurora's animal shelter before Grider's friend - from a non-bsl city - could rescue her. The dog has been with Grider for seven years. She has since been reunited with Grider.
Two other plaintiffs, a gulf war veteran and a disabled woman, have certified service animals who happen to be Pit Bulls. One lives in Denver.
This will be an interesting case. Most cities with breed specific legislation exempt certified service animals. Denver and Aurora don't. I think the cities face an uphill battle on this one, but we'll just have to wait and see. Great use of taxpayers funds, am I right?
