Denver, Colorado banned pit bulls in 1989. The ban was repealed last year after 64.5% of voters voted in favor of ending legislation that prevented the owning and adopting of the breed. For the first time since the late 1980s, a pit bull has found a forever home after being adopted by a family in Denver.

The 3-year-old pit bull was originally named Gumdrop but has since been given the powerful name of Odin by his new family. Kyle Wagner, a spokesperson for the Denver Department of Public health & Environment spoke to PEOPLE about this historic adoption.

According to Wagner, Odi/Gumdrop was a stray found on December 17th, 2020. He was taken to Alameda East Veterinary Hospital. It was there that it was found that Odin was not microchipped. He stayed at the Denver Animal Shelter for a 5-day hold period but nobody came to claim him.

Odin was without a family but he wouldn’t be for long.

Odin didn’t know it but while he was at the shelter, his soon-to-be family saw a picture of him online. The family is from the Colorado Springs area and they drove over an hour to meet their potential new family member. The family has no other pets and has one infant child at home.

https://www.facebook.com/DenverAnimalShelter/photos/a.489404792537/10160540386202538

“We are so excited to celebrate the first Pit Bull adoption since the new breed ordinance! 🎉🎉🎉❤️ ⁠,” the shelter announced on Facebook. “Gumdrop was so happy to go home with his new family! Today is a day of celebration! 🙌😍❤️🐶 .”

The Denver Animal Shelter is located in an easy-to-notice building. A large dog statue sits out front.

After Denver residents voted in favor of ending the ban on pit bulls in their town, the city officially lifted its ban on the first day of the new year. Odin was then put up for adoption on January 2nd, 2021.

Pit bulls weren’t the only dog breed that had previously been restricted in the Denver area.

These dog breeds are also now able to be kept as pets after the most recent vote on the issue last year.

The other restricted breeds that can now be kept as pets in Denver include the American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. All owners must apply for and obtain a permit before adopting, however.

There are additional restrictions on owning pit bulls still, however.

For instance, no more than 2 pit bulls can be adopted by one owner or family. There is increased paperwork required, higher adoption fees, and owners are required to go a 3-year period without having any incidents related to their pit bull.

The ban in 1989, came about after 20 people had been attacked by the dog breed over a 5-year period. Many experts have spoken out about the unfair treatment and stigma placed on the breed, however.

Other cities are looking at possibly ending their own pit bull bans and following in Denver’s footsteps.

Recently, the nearby town of Aurora has been debating the issue. Aurora Councilwoman Allison Hiltz is pushing for an end to the ban.

“An animal doesn’t need to be a pit bull to have a violent incident,” Hiltz said. “To single out a specific breed doesn’t actually address the problem with responsible ownership and what not.”

Pit bulls need just as much love as any other dog breed. Thankfully, dog-lovers in Denver can once again adopt an amazing pit bull into their family just like what happened with Odin.

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Source: People/Denver Animal Shelter