If pit bulls, seized dogs could be euthanized

Rocky Mountain News

Published June 5, 2006 at midnight

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Thirty-eight dogs seized last week in southwest Denver will be put to death if they are pit bulls because their owner, Michael Padilla, has a previous conviction for having a pit bull in Denver, where the animals are banned.

Doug Kelley, director of the Denver animal shelter, said the dogs will be judged by three experts on 56 American Kennel Club standards to determine if each is a pit bull.

Kelley said Padilla was aware of the law because he violated it once before. Being the "first strike," he was allowed to find a home for that dog outside of Denver and signed over ownership to another person.

Kelley said some of the seized dogs have a very sweet disposition, but the ordinance doesn't take their temperament into account.

Padilla faces up to 90 days in jail and/or a $999 fine on each of 38 counts of cruelty to animals, animal neglect and violating Denver's pit bull ban.

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