Pit bulls can be polarizing topic – some see them as a loving pet, while others believe they are dangerous.

The breed is banned in some Canadian cities, but some of those forbidden dogs have found their way to Saskatchewan.

A Saskatoon family recently adopted a four-year-old pit bull named Brian that may have once had a home in Ontario. Pit bulls have been banned in that province for a decade, so when Brian and two other pit bulls showed up at the SPCA in Kitchener, Ont., the organization called their counterparts in Saskatoon for help.

“They said they have these amazing dogs and they need a home,” recalled Patricia Cameron with the Saskatoon SPCA.

The dogs weren’t at the shelter for long after making the cross-country move.

Fabian Minnema says, despite Brian’s past life in dog fighting, he is a member of the family now.

"I bring him out of the SPCA and within a week, he's laying on the couch with us like he's been with us for his whole life. And he just forgets all that stuff," Minnema said.

Minnema says the ban on pit bulls is ridiculous. Ontario is the only place in Canada to have a province-wide ban. The only other ban is in Winnipeg. Minnema says pit bulls are an easy target.

"The way the folklore goes now, as far as animals that attack and dogs that bite and what have you, the pit bulls just fit the bill,” he said.

“They're stalky and they're mean-looking in their sort-of-aggressive stance. It just fits all the monstrous things that people pin on these dogs."

The Saskatoon SPCA says aggression is a learned behavior that can occur in any dog breed.

"They're very athletic dogs and some people can be intimidated by them,” Cameron said.

“But when you look at the statistics about animal attacks and aggression, it crosses all breeds. All sizes, down to the little, bitty Chihuahua can be aggressive. Neglect, abuse, improper socialization; all of those things are going to contribute to a dog that is uncertain in temperament."

Minnema hopes the Ontario government will consider reversing its pit bull ban. In the meantime, the Saskatoon SPCA is awaiting the arrival of a fourth pit bull.

Based on a report by CTV Saskatoon’s Julie Mireau