Aurora Repeals Pit Bull Ban: Question 3A Passes in 2024 Election
Aurora residents have voted to repeal the pit bull ban, with 53.4% voting “Yes” to overturn the restrictions and 46.6% voting “No” in a close race. Question 3A allows residents to legally own pit bull breeds, including American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, and Staffordshire bull terriers.
| Measure | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| YES (Repeal Ban) | 53,573 | 53.4% |
| NO (Keep Ban) | 46,689 | 46.6% |
The pit bull breed ban, first instated in 2005, was initially repealed by the Aurora City Council in 2021. However, the issue resurfaced when concerned citizens demanded a public vote on the matter. Earlier this year, a judge ruled that only voters could officially decide on the ban’s status, leading to its placement on November’s ballot.
With the ban now lifted, pit bulls are no longer prohibited based solely on their breed. Instead, any dog, regardless of breed, will be classified as dangerous only after a violent incident. This legislative change removes breed-specific language while retaining general laws prohibiting ownership of dangerous animals.
Supporters of the repeal argue that breed-specific bans create a stigma around pit bulls, deterring owners from seeking proper training, veterinary care, and socialization for their pets. They also point out that breed bans have not proven effective in reducing violent dog incidents. Proponents prefer behavior-based legislation that penalizes individual aggressive dogs rather than entire breeds.
Opponents, however, maintain that pit bulls are inherently strong and prone to aggression. They argue that keeping these breeds out of Aurora would lead to a safer community overall.
According to Aurora Animal Services, Labrador retrievers were the top breed involved in dog bites from 2016 to 2024, followed by German shepherds, with pit bulls in third place. This data has been cited by some supporters as evidence that breed-specific legislation may not effectively target the root causes of aggressive behavior in dogs.
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