The AKC Government Relations department was saddened to learn of the death on April 5, 2011, of Denver Colorado City Councilwoman Carla Madison. Ms. Madison, 54, was a pioneer in fighting breed-specific legislation in Denver and a good friend to the many responsible dog owners in Denver and throughout Colorado.

At the time of her death, Ms. Madison had been working on a proposal that would have strengthened the city’s dangerous dog ordinance by removing breed-specific portions of the law and instead holding owners responsible for the actions of their dogs, regardless of breed. “Pit bulls” have been banned in Denver since 1989.

“We’ve lost a great friend and an ally in the fight to change breed-specific legislation in Denver,” said Linda Hart, president of the Colorado Federation of Dog Clubs. “For over two years we have been working together to try to change Denver’s breed ban and I really learned to admire this small but mighty lady with the wild red hair and a zest for life.”

“Carla came to the Rocky Mountain Cluster dog shows in 2009 and 2010, and thoroughly enjoyed meeting the dogs and people of the community,” Hart said. Ms. Madison also regularly attended meetings and rallies in support of dog owners who sought to amend Denver’s breed-specific laws.

“No matter how many roadblocks we came up against while trying to get changes to the breed ban, Carla was always ready and willing to step up to work with us to try again from another angle,” Hart continued. “She will be truly missed.”