CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — The Castle Rock Town Council voted Tuesday evening to repeal the town’s ban on pit bulls.
In a unanimous vote, town councilors did away with the 25-year-old ordinance in favor of a two-tier system, which would be based on an individual dog’s behavior rather than its breed.
During Tuesday’s final vote, councilors heard from several residents and non-residents alike who were in favor of repeal.
Law enforcement officials also spoke out, telling the council that lifting the ban would not jeopardize their safety.
Under the new system, dogs that are determined to be dangerous would be placed under the first tier. Animals with this designation would be removed from town limits or euthanized.
The second tier would be for potentially dangerous dogs. These are dogs that have injured a person or domestic animal, but the injury was not serious.
These potentially dangerous dogs would need to be registered with the city, and the owners would need to obtain a permit for them.
Seven other communities in Colorado have pit bull bans, including Denver.