Gumdrop becomes the first pit bull adopted out by Denver in more than 30 years

The dog was adopted by a Colorado Springs family.

Gumdrop with his new family. Photo courtesy of Denver Animal Shelter.

Gumdrop with his new family. Photo courtesy of Denver Animal Shelter.

(Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite) staff photo
Esteban L. Hernandez

So long, Gumdrop.

On Tuesday, he became the first pit bull adopted out by the Denver Animal Shelter in more than 30 years. Pit bulls were legalized this month after voters effectively overturned the longstanding ban on them. Any dog suspected of being a pit bull must undergo a rigorous vetting by shelter employees.

City public health spokesperson Kyle Wagner said Gumdrop — renamed Odin by his new family — was found on Dec. 17 on East Alameda Avenue. He was taken to Alameda East Veterinary Hospital for a microchip scan, which came up negative. After he was placed on a five-day hold and no one came forward to claim him, he was put up for adoption.

The adopting family came from Colorado Springs to meet him. The family has a baby and no other pets.

Wagner said it was hard to pinpoint the last time the city adopted a pit bull, but since the law banning them was enacted in 1989, she’s assuming it was sometime before then.

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