[Purple]

By Derek Sciba and KATU Web Staff

PORTLAND, Ore. - Shouting, barking and pit bulls attached to a machine - KATU News listened to viewers' concerns and checked out a home in north Portland to see if what neighbors were seeing and hearing was a training facility for dog fights.



The topic is certainly on people's minds with the controversy surrounding NFL star Michael Vick and the charges he faces in connection with alleged dog fighting.

The man who lives in the home in question, Matthew Shell, told KATU News that dog fighting is the last thing he would do with his two 3-year-old pit bulls, and he even showed us around his place in an effort to dispel any mystery about what he is doing.



Shell brought his dog, Hennesy, into his garage and the dog hopped on a treadmill. In a few moments Hennesy was clipped in and running at about 30 mph.

The chains used to attach the dog to the treadmill, which is not powered by electric, but by dog power, are there to keep the dog from flying off the front or the back.



Shell said Hennesy has repeatedly won a three-minute distance competition.

"You have to go the extra mile," he said. "You have to have treadmills."

Shell is a member of the All American Premier Breeds Administration based out of Castle Rock, Wash. The group regularly holds events at a farm in Castle Rock that test dogs in categories such as weight pull, treadmill sprint, extreme dog racing and agility. Shell has a number of trophies inside his home from the events.



Shell said he used to go fishing for salmon, but finds his hobby of training his dogs for events much more exciting. He has been doing this for about two years.

"I'm a dental technician in the daytime and when I come home from work, it keeps me out of trouble, you know," Shell said.

Some of Shell's neighbors, who have been hearing clapping, shouting, machinery and dogs, said they are worried the pit bulls are being abused and possibly being trained to fight.

It seems like they are either fighting these dogs or racing these dogs," said neighbor Laura LaRosa, who said she has seen pit bulls outside and exhausted. "I think it's horrible and I will do whatever it takes to pursue that it doesn't happen any more."

Animal Control paid a visit to Shell's home to check out the dogs and take a look at the place. Shell showed the officer around, who concluded that the dogs are healthy. "I don't see too much of a problem at this point," the officer said.




Still, some of Shell's neighbors remain concerned. "I see it as just animal cruelty, personally," one woman said.

Dog Fighting Laws

Dog fighting is a felony in the state of Oregon.

According to the Animal Legal and Historical Center, the crime is punishable by up to five years in jail and a $125,000 fine.

In Multnomah County, dog fighting is considered a class A misdemeanor. A first offense would land a person a $100 to $500 fine.

The District Attorney in Multnomah County said it is extremely difficult to prosecute because you almost have to catch a person in the act. That is why most dog fighters are only charged with animal cruelty.

http://www.katu.com/news/local/9029042.html

[Chiapit]

It seems like they are either fighting these dogs or racing these dogs," said neighbor Laura LaRosa, who said she has seen pit bulls outside and exhausted. "I think it's horrible and I will do whatever it takes to pursue that it doesn't happen any more."

Guess he knows who made the complaint...I'd have to pay my neighbor a friendly visit....

[Michele]

That lady needs to mind her own business

[Chiapit]

What I don't understand is why she didn't just talk to him first...that could have saved alot of time and I bet he would have showed her around and explained his program to her. Instead she plays Chicken Shit and goes and calls Animal Control. People like that irritate me to no end...

[Sean W.]

This is why I can't stand having neighbors. This is why the ignorant rule the country. They'll probably harass that man and spy on him as long as he lives there. Reminds me of the time they were called on us. Ever since that day I have a distaste for all things police and animal control.

[PNWPBR]

This is all in my own backyard.


Im lucky that all of my neighbors know me and know what I do.... im very honest with all of them.

The adba here is very active and aside from this guys stupid spiked harnesses, I dont see anything wrong with his dogs.

[Miakoda]

aside from this guys stupid spiked harnesses, I dont see anything wrong with his dogs.

Guy using "pit bulls" as a penis extension, yes; guy using "pit bulls" to fight, no. I agree.

And what horror......training a dog to race.........I wonder if they think that track coaches are abusers of humans...........

[PNWPBR]

Originally Posted by Miakoda Guy using "pit bulls" as a penis extension, yes; guy using "pit bulls" to fight, no. I agree. And what horror......training a dog to race.........I wonder if they think that track coaches are abusers of humans...........

wanna know something funny? We have a greyhound racing track here in Portland and its legal..... that woman should go picket outside there if she has an issue with dog racing.

[airwalk]

The follow up stories to that were...the dogs are healthy, happy and loving what they do. This is a perfectly legitimate, positive activity.

Got that directly from the MCAS Director...no one will be looking over this guys shoulder.

[PNWPBR]

Originally Posted by airwalk The follow up stories to that were...the dogs are healthy, happy and loving what they do. This is a perfectly legitimate, positive activity. Got that directly from the MCAS Director...no one will be looking over this guys shoulder.

Fantastic Diana, thank you.

Its sad that this is getting so much media attention here... its almost like people are forming "Dog fighting task forces"

[airwalk]

Frightening hu?

[Suki]

Originally Posted by PNWPBR Its sad that this is getting so much media attention here... its almost like people are forming "Dog fighting task forces"

sadly, it's occurring everywhere....
glad this story has a positive ending tho....
1 down, xxxxxxxx to go......

[NcPrisonGuard]

She was probably a bleeding heart liberal too.. I hate nosy ass people!!!

[PitRottMommy]

This right here is why I'm thankful for neighbors that support my "addiction".


Sami

[realonebulldog]

You cant train a dog to fight.
For a fight dogs are only conditioned. However, this does not signify that each one who conditioned his dog is automatically a Dogfighter . But if you have a cerebral-amputated neighbour you are lost anyhow. I hope the good America wins.

[Swan]

Well........................

First with Denvers ban it was anyone with a pit bull was a murderer and all pit bulls snap you all remember that well we still have it but NOW ITS anyone with a tread mill, has more than one pit bull is a Dog Fighter.

Well this has gone on for a while but now I see a new fear mongering issue that is going to go way over board and this article is an example.

Now people are not looking for that mean ole evil pit bull from hell and calls ACO anytime they see a pit bull now our society wants to be heros and save the dogs.

I wonder how many dog races this woman has been to to make such a statement??? That was stupid.....

When I first came to the dog forums I had Samson for ages but was un educated, I really thought anyone with a tread mill and a pit bull was a dog fighter. Didnt have a clue....

Funny enough I have a tread mill no Samson never got on it he dont like it but its for me but hey get the wrong person in your home or neighbor and I could have the ACOs called on me.


Good for Shell for getting himself involved with a true sport with his dogs that is not only good for his dogs but him too as he said it "keeps him out of trouble"


The neighbor could of just talked to him first as a few pointed out but well I myself hate pain in the ass neighbors and NO they dont ask they just.. CALL.


I wonder if Animal Control told this nosy nelly that Shell was exercising his dogs for competition at shows?


I think its time for organizations to educate the public more on things like this especially with Pit Bulls I mean if we have BSL, Vick The Dick and his recent crap, people freakin' OUT BIG TIME in society on this issue.,well...................

Time for organizations to educate educate educate.


If Denver can shoot dogs out side of city limits, and have a ban that has costed in a lot of areas as well as Ontario and other places here in the states like Missouri, if Pit Bulls are something to have councel meeting over than its time for the appropiate parties to get off their asses and educate the public instead of allowing this Pit Bull Panic.


Just my FOUR CENTS, ha ha, went off on a tangine sorry folks I get long winded on this crap.

Respectfully,

Renee'

[chopperv]

you cant tell if what he was doing is dog fight training...but really its true about people being too concerned about what dog is next door....i like to play with mine by jumping up high to get a rope..allot of times he hangs off it....i praise him and he does it till he cant do it anymore....is this cruel??..i dont think so ...just today my son played in a soccer tournament...until he couldnt run...is this cruel?? no same thing isnt it... so what im saying is that a dog running on a tredmill...is it cruel?? yet again i dont think so but thats just my opinion..

[realonebulldog]

And least not least no one would let a dog run on a treadmill until he cant run anymore....and for sure not a dogfighter. Thats the worst thing you could do to a dogs condition.

[truelover]

I absolutely despise people like that in a very big way. Sounds like a nosy B*****d that every street in every country in the world has. I wonder how many robberies or burglaries she has ever reported to the police because she was `suspicious`, or maybe they never happen in her town or street.