SACRAMENTO—
Pit bulls sometimes have a reputation as being mean dogs with a big bite.But after a C-H-P officer shot and killed a pit bull in Tracy earlier this week, defenders of the breed say that the bad rap is not deserved.
Pit bull owners say with the right training and treatment, pit bulls can be nice and friendly as any other breed.
Pit bull owner, Amy Mc Mullen organized a pit bull dog walk on the downtown Sacramento streets to break the stereotype that pit bulls aren't good pets.
April Coffin owns two pit bulls and she says training is key because they can be very strong and powerful dogs.
"You need to make sure they're well disciplined and structured," Coffin said.
Because her dogs are trained properly, April says she never worries about her pit bull being arond her 6-month old son, Jackson.
"They love licking him. They love playing with him and they love laying beside him. They are very affectionate."
Kevin Salem is known as the "Dog Prodigy."
In the 22 years he's worked with dogs, he's trained over 200 pit bulls.
He says owners need to show this breed whose boss.
"You have to become your dog's mommy and the leader, and the buddy, but also be the one in charge," Salem says.
Salem says pinch collars, while controversial, are highly effective in training pit bulls.
The most important thing, he says, is getting your dog to socialize with people and other animals.
He says, most pit bulls do not turn on their owners and attack them. It's usually someone they don't know.
