The Breed Restricted Permit Application is the form for requesting a Breed-Restricted Permit from Denver Animal Protection (DAP), the permit Denver requires before anyone may own or keep a pit bull-type dog in the city. It is one of the Denver permit forms tied to Ordinance Sec. 8-67, and it collects owner, emergency contact and dog details. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original PDF is published by the City and County of Denver at the official link below.
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What is Breed Restricted Permit Application – Denver, CO?
The Breed Restricted Permit Application is the City and County of Denver form used to request a Breed-Restricted Permit from Denver Animal Protection (DAP) for a restricted-breed dog, which Denver Ordinance Sec. 8-67 prohibits unless a provisional permit has been issued.
The restricted breeds named by the city are the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. A pit bull-type dog is any dog showing a majority of the physical traits of one or more of those breeds, or one that substantially conforms to the standards of the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club.
The form has these blocks, with English and Spanish labels printed side by side:
- Owner Information, with phone, address and email.
- Alternate Contacts, two people with full name, phone and address.
- A first-time or renewal choice, with the date of the original application for renewals.
- Dog Information: name, breed, age, color(s), sex, address where the dog is kept, Denver Pet License, rabies tag, microchip number and veterinarian details.
A For Office Use Only box at the top is reserved for DAP. The permit carries an annual fee, and the back of the form lists the proof that must support the application and the events that must be reported to DAP. The form is not a breed evaluation: DAP performs that separately and in person.
Who needs to file Breed Restricted Permit Application – Denver, CO?
Anyone who owns or keeps a restricted-breed dog within the City and County of Denver needs a Breed-Restricted Permit, and this is the application for it. The city's page says residents may not own or keep a pit bull in Denver without one.
- Owners of dogs DAP classifies as restricted breeds. A dog is classified through a breed evaluation at DAP; unsure owners are told to bring the dog in for one.
- New owners of adopted dogs. The new owner must contact DAP to start the provisional permit process, including when the dog came from a shelter other than Denver Animal Shelter.
- Visitors and day care users. A permit is required for the dog to be within Denver limits at any time, with no exception for boarding or day care.
- Owners of dogs found illegal under the old ordinance. Under the 2021 ordinance they may bring the dog back to Denver after obtaining a permit.
Exclusions and limits: a dog that DAP finds does not have a majority of the restricted-breed characteristics is allowed in Denver without a permit, and the owner receives an official breed evaluation letter. No owner or keeper may have more than two pit bulls living in the home.
When to file Breed Restricted Permit Application – Denver, CO
Apply once DAP has determined, through an in-person breed evaluation, that your dog is a restricted breed, and before you own, keep or bring the dog into Denver. You cannot buy the permit online or by phone ahead of that evaluation. If you evaluate the dog before moving, you may buy the permit then and update it when you move to a Denver address.
The form lists a fee as annual, and it has a renewal option that asks for the date of the original application.
After the permit is issued, deadlines run from events: notify DAP within eight (8) hours if the pit bull escapes, is no longer in your custody, or attacks or bites a person or another domestic animal. Notify DAP within twenty-four (24) hours if the dog dies or the owner, keeper or address changes. A new owner at a different Denver address must obtain a permit modification within five (5) days, at DAP's discretion. To dispute a classification, file a written petition for a hearing no later than 7 days after the assessment.
Documents you need
- Proof of a breed-restricted evaluation completed by Denver Animal Protection, showing the dog was evaluated and found to be a restricted breed.
- An accurate description and a recent photograph of the restricted-breed dog.
- Certificate or proof that the dog is spayed or neutered, or proof of a current intact permit.
- Certificate or proof of current rabies vaccination issued by a licensed veterinarian.
- A current City of Denver dog license for the dog.
- Proof that the dog has had a registered microchip implanted.
- Names and addresses of two people who may be contacted in an emergency involving the dog, entered in the Alternate Contacts block.
- Previously issued breed letter, only for a dog determined to be illegal under the old ordinance; bring it to the shelter when you request the application.
How to fill out Breed Restricted Permit Application – Denver, CO
Complete the breed evaluation first
Have DAP evaluate the dog in person at Denver Animal Shelter; you need proof of that evaluation to apply. Leave the For Office Use Only box (Microchip Scanned and P#) to DAP.
Enter owner information
Fill in Owner Name, Phone Number, Owner Address, City, State, Zip Code, Alternate Phone and Email. The address should be where the dog is kept.
List two alternate contacts
For contacts 1 and 2, enter Full Name, Phone Number, Address, City, State and Zip. Each should be someone able to care for and control the dog when you cannot.
Mark first time or renewal
Circle First Time or Renewal. For a renewal, enter the date of the original application on the line provided.
Describe the dog
Enter Dog Name, Breed, Age, Color(s) and Sex, and the address where the animal is kept.
Enter license and rabies details
Write the Denver Pet License as Year/Number and the Rabies Tag as Year/Number.
Add microchip and veterinarian details
Enter the Microchip Number, the Veterinarian/Clinic Name, and the veterinarian's address and phone number.
Gather the supporting proof
Collect the photograph, evaluation proof, spay/neuter or intact permit proof, rabies certificate, city license and microchip proof listed under required documents.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check every block against your documents, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and take it to DAP as described under How to submit.
How to submit Breed Restricted Permit Application – Denver, CO
The permit process runs through Denver Animal Protection (DAP) at the Denver Animal Shelter, 1241 W Bayaud Ave, Denver, CO 80223. The form prints no mailing address or online portal of its own.
- In person at the shelter: DAP offers walk-in breed evaluations between 1-3 p.m. daily and does not offer appointments. If DAP finds the dog is a restricted breed, you then purchase the permit. Owners holding a breed letter from the old ordinance bring it to the shelter during normal business hours and ask staff for an application.
- Online: the application can be found at DenverAnimalShelter.org, but the agency states the permit cannot be bought online or by phone before the dog's in-person evaluation.
- By phone: General Inquiries 720-913-1311; Officer Dispatch 720-913-2080, as printed on the form.
An annual permit fee applies, and a city dog license is also required; ask DAP at the number above for current amounts and accepted payment. Attach or bring the proof listed under required documents. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the agency's channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to buy the permit online or by phone before DAP has evaluated the dog in person; the agency says this is not an option.
- Bringing a restricted-breed dog into Denver for a visit or day care without a permit; the city allows no exception for boarding or day care.
- Listing fewer than two emergency contacts, or naming people who cannot come get the dog and bring it under control.
- Missing the eight-hour notice to DAP after an escape or a bite, or the twenty-four-hour notice after a death or change of owner or address.
- Leaving a new owner without a permit modification; it must be obtained within five (5) days at a different Denver address, at DAP's discretion.
- Omitting supporting proof: spay/neuter or intact permit, rabies vaccination, Denver dog license, registered microchip, photograph.
- Keeping more than two pit bulls in the home; the maximum per owner or keeper is two.
- Filing the written petition to dispute the classification later than 7 days after the assessment.
- Leaving the first-time or renewal choice unmarked, or omitting the original application date on a renewal.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a pit bull in Denver?
Yes, if DAP determines the dog is a restricted breed. Under Denver Ordinance Sec. 8-67, the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier types are prohibited unless the dog has been issued a Breed-Restricted Permit by Denver Animal Protection.
Can I get the Denver breed-restricted permit online or by phone?
No, not before the dog is evaluated. DAP must complete an in-person evaluation to determine the breed, and only then can you purchase the permit if one is needed. The application itself can be found at DenverAnimalShelter.org.
How do I get my dog evaluated for the permit?
Take the dog to Denver Animal Shelter for a walk-in breed evaluation between 1-3 p.m. any day; DAP does not offer appointments. Three certified evaluators judge physical traits against AKC and UKC standards, and behavior is not assessed. All three must find predominant pit bull characteristics.
Do I need a permit to visit Denver or use a day care with my pit bull?
Yes. A permit is required for a restricted-breed dog to be within Denver City and County limits at any time, and there is no exception for boarding or day care. The dog must first be evaluated at DAP.
Who should I list as alternate contacts on the permit application?
Two people who can take care of the dog or control it when you are unavailable, such as a family member, neighbor or friend. They must be willing to come get the dog if it escapes or is in an altercation. Ordinance Sec. 8-67 requires two contacts on file.
What happens if I have a pit bull without a permit?
DAP gives you a warning and a mandatory request to bring the dog in for an assessment, then verifies within 10 days. If you have not applied, you may face a court appearance or a fine, or DAP may remove the dog from the home.
When must I notify DAP after the permit is issued?
Within eight (8) hours if the pit bull escapes, leaves your custody, or attacks or bites a person or another domestic animal. Within twenty-four (24) hours if it dies or the owner, keeper or address changes, with the new owner's name, phone number and address.
Is there a fee for the Breed-Restricted Permit?
Yes. The form lists an annual permit fee, and a current City of Denver dog license is also required. This page does not give amounts; call Denver Animal Shelter at 720-913-1311 for current fees and payment options.
Can I fill out the Breed Restricted Permit Application on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the City and County of Denver and does not submit the application; you deliver it to DAP through the agency's channels.
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