In the wake of a horrific attack in which a Schenectady man was killed by a pack of pit bulls, other owners are defending the breed.

Albany Police said 59-year-old James Provost was attacked by a group of eight or nine pit bulls in the backyard of a home on the 500 block of Central Avenue.

Libby Post, executive director of the New York State Animal Protective Foundation, said that in this and every other horrific situation like it, it’s not the dogs that are at fault.

“It’s the owner. The owner trains dogs to be vicious. The owner trains a dog to be good,” she said.

Pit bull owners will tell you that the overwhelming percentage of them raise their dogs to be good.  

“Luckily, you know, my dogs are very young,” said Kharr Shabazz. “I had them since (they were) puppies, and I’ve always spent a lot of time with them. They sleep in my room with me. They’re always with me if I’m not at work and then when I’m at work, they’re actually together; so I think it’s socialization.”

Most pit bull owners will tell you that the viciousness reputation often associated with the breed is grossly unfair.

Amelia Schramm, of Albany, points out that pit bulls are often used as nannies for young children.

“They get a bad reputation because they can be caught up in cages and cage fighting, dog fighting and genuinely, they are just sweet animals who deserve our love and respect,” she said.