No fighters allowed here

Andrew Parsons encourages his dog during a treadmill competition in Castle Rock on Saturday.

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Story Published: Aug 19, 2007 at 2:30 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 19, 2007 at 2:30 PM PDT

By Nick Winkler and KATU Web Staff

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CASTLE ROCK, Wash. - Screaming, yelling and barking pit bulls filled the air in a rural part of Cowlitz County on Saturday - a place where some people believe dog fights are held.

But instead, breeders said they were showing off the animals they love.

Andrew Parsons said he has been accused many times of training pit bulls to fight.

But on this day, Parsons and his rival Matt Shell were there to see whose dog was fastest and strongest and show skeptics that the same equipment used to make a fighter is also being used to make an athlete.

The dogs run as fast as 60 mph. Judges tally the scores. And the dogs seem to love the attention.

For 10 years, people have come to a home in Castle Rock to load their dogs with thousands of pounds. Competitions are held once a month.

Officials with the group, which is a non-profit organization, said the competitions have become so popular that they are raising money to build a new facility.

You can find out more about the All American Premier Breeds Administration by clicking here.

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