ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
When it comes to the subject of pit bulls, just about everyone has an opinion.
But few people in the world know as much about the controversial breed as Tia Torres. The star of Animal Planet's Pit Bulls and Parolees show runs the largest facility in the US to rescue and rehabilitate the dogs. As the title of the series suggests, she's also recruited a staff of parolees to help her in her work.
She talked to CBSAtlanta.com about what made her want to work so closely with two groups most people would consider the "undesirables" of our society.
"People assumed the worst. They thought it was going to be a show about dogs on chains taught to be mean by these convicts we have working for us and it was the exact opposite. It's about compassion, and rehabilitation and redemption," explained Torres.
Torres talks about a terrific program that's similar to what she's doing-- right here in Metro Atlanta. It's called Gwinnett County Jail Dogs. "We went there this season and this program should be in every jail and prison. The dogs come from the local animal shelter and they live in the cells with each inmate. And the inmates train the dogs for obedience, agility, they even teach them really cute tricks."
Torres also explained some of things that cause aggression in the first place in pit bulls and other dog breeds.
"Dogs can become aggressive for so many different reasons. It starts with the environment they're in, the handling of that dog, the education and training of that dog. It's almost the same components that teach a child to go on the right path. That determines which way a dog is going to go, in addition to possibly bad genetics," said Torres.
Check out our full interview with Torres for her tips on some of things you need to do to get on the right path to having a great dog.
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