Pit Bull Obedience School Starts With Effort to Educate People

Ricardo Hall says he is being threatened with eviction. So does his neighbor, Gwen Forrest.

The Highland Park dog owners said they were both served with 30-day notices last week and told: “We don’t want no pit bulls around here.”

In hopes of improving the behavior and public perception of their dogs, Hall and Forrest joined about 50 other owners Saturday for the first obedience class offered for that breed by the Los Angeles Department of Animal Regulation.

Free courses on several dog training topics will be offered over a seven-week period starting April 17 because of public reaction to recent pit bull attacks in the Southland, said Lt. Bob Pena of Animal Regulation.

Last month, a 14-month-old South Los Angeles boy was mauled to death by his family’s pit bull. Days before that, in separate incidents, pit bulls bit a man and a woman in Granada Hills. Last week, another pit bull attacked a Fullerton man and ripped his hand.

But instructor Tia Maria Torres, a dog trainer who runs a shelter specializing in pit bulls in Agua Dulce, told those in the class that “it’s not fair to want to condemn a whole race based on the bad acts of a few. That goes for people. That goes for dogs.”

During the 90-minute class at North Central Animal Care Center in Lincoln Heights, Torres was equal parts historian, teacher and cheerleader for the dogs and their owners.

“Pit bulls were not originally bred for fighting. They were bred for farms,” said Torres, flanked by her two pit bulls, Duke and Tatonka.

But these days, their reputation has been sullied because of irresponsible owners, she said. “Use common sense. Who’d leave a 14-month-old kid alone in a yard, without a dog?” Torres asked. Most pit bulls--if they are raised properly and well cared for--are very good with children, she said.

She also offered some do’s and don’ts for owners.

“Neuter your dog!” she said. “Pit, Rott, shepherd--any big, strong dog should not run loose in a dog park.”

She also sought to dispel what she called myths about the breed.

Red-nosed pit bulls are not more aggressive, she said, comparing it to saying that redheaded people are bad-tempered.

Another misconception, she said, is that pit bulls are outdoor dogs. In fact, the short-haired dogs prefer to be indoor couch potatoes, she said.

If pit bulls are chained in the yard, the high-energy dogs tug unsuccessfully to free themselves--and that makes them extremely angry, she said.

Although the introductory course was intended for people only, a few of those attending brought their dogs. Some expressed anxiety about public reaction to their pets.

Patricia Torres (no relation to Tia) of Eagle Rock said that when she was out walking her 8-month-old pit bull recently, a loose dog ran over and lunged at her leashed puppy. A few days later, an Animal Regulation officer was at her door, asking why her pit bull had attacked the other dog, she said.

“An attack? We had our dog on a leash!” Torres said. “Someone sees a pit bull and it’s like, ‘Oh my God, it’s a pit bull attack.’ ”

Added Hall: “They’re wonderful dogs, but they’re getting a bum rap.”

At the end of the class, Pena praised the group: “You’re the responsible pet owners. Go forth and multiply. Get the word out to the other pit bull owners.”

The introductory class will be repeated April 10 at the East Valley Animal Care Center at 13131 Sherman Way, North Hollywood, Pena said.

For information about the course, call (661) 268-0555.