They have the reputation of being a vicious animal. And just last week, a little girl died after being attacked. Pit Bulls cause big controversy and now, more than ever, local shelters are having a difficult time finding homes for them.

News 3's Katherine Whaley investigates the requirements Pit Bulls and their new owners must meet.

"She's spoiled. She's the baby."

Kathy and Nathan Gibson raise Pit Bulls and Mia is their pride and joy. "Well look at her," Kathy said. "How can you help but love her?"

But with Pit Bull attacks making headlines, for many people, the breed is anything but loveable.

Megan Whitney, a new mother, is searching for a pet at the Animal Foundation. She'll adopt almost any breed of dog. "We're looking for a family friendly dog, one that will be a good companion for Avery," Whitney said.

But at the shelter Pit Bulls are the most prevalent and for many of them the shelter is the end of the line.

Like Whitney, few people are willing to adopt them. "We've had a drop off since some recent incidences here, because the breed does have a bad reputation," Jim Seitz, Director of Operations for The Animal Foundation, said.

The shelter puts every dog through the same screening, whether it's a Collie or a Shepherd mix, or even a Pit Bull. Adoption officials say the trick is finding the right owner.

Each dog gets a full medical and behavioral evaluation before it can be adopted out. The hope is to find families like Gibsons.

By law, shelters are required to keep an animal under observation for 72 hours after it is taken in. Like Clark County's Animal Foundation, the city of Henderson will also find homes for Pit Bulls. They have to meet medical and behavioral requirements and the owners must be allowed to keep Pit Bulls on their property.