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.