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Arvada [Change Location]

Arvada tightens dangerous-animal ordinance


Following months of conversation with other Jefferson County municipalities regarding the high-profile issue of specific dog-breed bans and the ability of local government to deal effectively with dangerous animals, the Arvada City Council has amended sections of the city code pertaining to animals to facilitate more effective enforcement of code violations.

Chapter 14, Animals, of the Arvada City Code, was amended at the Oct. 16 Arvada City Council meeting. Amendments include, but are not limited to, the following:

· An owner or custodian of an animal convicted of a code violation may now be required to provide proof of liability insurance in the amount of at least $100,000 to cover any damage or injurythat may be caused by the animal.

· A section has been added to the code defining a habitual offender. A habitual offender is a person who accumulates three convictions for separate and distinct code offenses.

· The term "vicious animal" has been replaced with "dangerous animal." A dangerous animal is defined as an animal that, without intentional provocation, engages in any of the following behaviors:

- Causes bodily injury to any person at any place within the city.

- Approaches any person in a menacing or terrorizing manner, or in an apparent attitude of attack, while off the owner's or custodian's property.

- Kills another animal while off the owner's or custodian's property (this behavior is a new amendment to the code).

- Attacks any person who is lawfully on the owner's or custodian's property.

"By amending the city code dealing with dangerous animals, the Arvada City Council is confident that we are addressing the issue in a fairer and more effective manner than by a blanket 'specific breed' ban," stated Mayor Ken Fellman. "We will closely monitor how these new provisions operate for our animal management staff, prosecutors and court system, but most particularly whether they address the safety of our citizens," he concluded.

The new ordinance goes into effect on Oct. 30.

The Arvada City Code in its entirety can be viewed online on the city's Web site at www.arvada.org. In addition, the amended ordinance can be viewed as part of the Oct. 16 city council agenda.

Maria VanderKolk is the assistant to the city manager in Arvada.

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The people ought to vote to ban vicious prosecution(ers) who think that there is a need to habitual offender bad check writers, theives or DUI'ers. Yup! In prison for the rest of their lives is where they belong! Right along with murders, child rapists and sociopaths. RE: Breed specific legislation. It is ILLEGAL in the State of Colorado to ban specific breeds of animals. Get educated Colorado - we are not dummies nor are our dogs. Almost 900 Pit bulls have been put to death in Denver this year. Can you imagine your family pet being taken to the gas chamber? Tell Arvada, Denver, Commerce City and Aurora what you think of their home rule ordinances. Billie Farrell
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