AMARILLO, TEXAS -- To keep animal attacks down, Amarillo Panhandle Humane Society (APHS) is euthanizing all pit bulls at the shelter if their families do not claim them in 72 hours. 

ProNews 7 learned pit bulls are just "not eligible" for adoption to new families.

Humane society officials said they're a "problem breed" and they have the numbers to back it up. Since October, they’ve recorded 51 bites from pit bulls.

They say the biggest issues are people fighting and misusing the breed. 

The humane society is taking a harder stance because it doesn't want to be liable for any issues with the pet. 

"If they're going to continue to be irresponsible, then maybe limiting the population will be a good thing," said Shannon Barlow of Amarillo Animal Control.

The APHS spokesperson did add it is not discouraging people from owning pets, but it does want people to be responsible. 

ProNews 7 also placed a call to the Amarillo SPCA, which is a no-kill shelter.

Officials there said they understand the humane society's policy, because of the liability issue, and also because it has 14 pit bulls they just can't find homes for.

Update: April 23, 2009 at 4:00 PM

In response to Kevin's comment, we are posting the information we recieved from Shannon Barlow with Animal Control, on all the other recorded bites from other breeds.  Here are the numbers from October 2008 through March 2009 for dog bites, which are classified as piercing the skin. 

German Shepard 15

Rottweilers 10

Chow 4

Pit Bulls 51

Labs 14

Boxers 4

All other dogs 112