Pit Bull Obedience Classes Set Up in Wake of Attack

Concerned by the number of dog owners who give their pit bulls to animal shelters or turn them loose on the streets, the Los Angeles animal services unit said Wednesday that it will conduct free obedience classes.

“The goal of the class is to help equip pit bull owners with the basic skills needed for this breed,” said Dan Knapp, director of the agency.

Since a fatal attack on a 14-month-old child by a pit bull three weeks ago, the city’s six animal shelters have been receiving as many as 40 of the dogs per day from owners who were turning them in, Knapp said.

Classes will be taught by Tia Torres of the Villalobos Rescue Center, a nonprofit facility in Agua Dulce dedicated to saving stray dogs.

Despite the recent rash of pit bull attacks, Torres said the dogs can be good family pets if owners are taught their proper care.

Topics such as history of the pit bull, selecting a breeder and pit bull temperament, socialization and training will be covered during the two-hour class, Torres said.

Although classes are free, owners are asked to bring a 20-pound bag of dog food to feed stray pit bulls, Torres said.

The first class will start at 9 a.m. Saturday at the North Central Animal Care Center, 3201 Lacy Street. The second class will be at the same time April 10 at the East Valley Animal Care Center, 13131 Sherman Way, North Hollywood.