WINCHESTER, VA - Pit bulls are becoming a common breed among animal shelters.
They're known as "fighting dogs."
Aggressive, strong and unfriendly is usually how most people view these dogs, but a local shelter begs to differ.
"You can have a poodle or a chihuahua or any other small dog that will bite you the same as a pit bull can. I know a lot of people have their different opinions about pit bulls but they can make a great family pet," says Margo Bach, office manager of the Winchester SPCA.
The Winchester SPCA has given a home to lost, stray or unwanted dogs for over 100 years.
Over time, they say half of the dogs at their shelter are pit bulls and they have recently seen more of them at their shelter.
Bach says many breed these dogs for the wrong reasons. She says in her experience they're bred to fight with other dogs and become a profit through betting.
Despite the breed's bad reputation, they have seen many families adopt pit bulls and believe owners are the ones that take full responsibility for how the dogs are trained.
"They're very strong dogs and if they're not trained properly, then people can't handle them. They get dragged around, they're not trained that they way they should be trained," adds Bach.
The SPCA says 10 of their 20 dogs are up for adoption and while many seem intimidating behind the fence, they can easily blend into a family.
If you are interested in adopting a pit bull from the SPCA, many of the adoption fees are already paid. For more information click here.
They're known as "fighting dogs."
Aggressive, strong and unfriendly is usually how most people view these dogs, but a local shelter begs to differ.
"You can have a poodle or a chihuahua or any other small dog that will bite you the same as a pit bull can. I know a lot of people have their different opinions about pit bulls but they can make a great family pet," says Margo Bach, office manager of the Winchester SPCA.
The Winchester SPCA has given a home to lost, stray or unwanted dogs for over 100 years.
Over time, they say half of the dogs at their shelter are pit bulls and they have recently seen more of them at their shelter.
Bach says many breed these dogs for the wrong reasons. She says in her experience they're bred to fight with other dogs and become a profit through betting.
Despite the breed's bad reputation, they have seen many families adopt pit bulls and believe owners are the ones that take full responsibility for how the dogs are trained.
"They're very strong dogs and if they're not trained properly, then people can't handle them. They get dragged around, they're not trained that they way they should be trained," adds Bach.
The SPCA says 10 of their 20 dogs are up for adoption and while many seem intimidating behind the fence, they can easily blend into a family.
If you are interested in adopting a pit bull from the SPCA, many of the adoption fees are already paid. For more information click here.
