Classes Offered for Owners of Pit Bulls

Concerned by the number of dog owners who turn in their pit bulls to animal shelters or leave them on city streets, the Los Angeles animal services unit will conduct free obedience-training classes for owners.

In the San Fernando Valley, a class will be held at 9 a.m. April 10 at the East Valley Animal Care Center, 13131 Sherman Way, North Hollywood.

“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, Knapp said.

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

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

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 homeless pit bulls, Torres said.

Led by Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, the council passed a motion supporting a state bill that gives prosecutors the authority to press charges against owners of pit bulls that harm others.