LA GRANDE — A school superintendent in Eastern Oregon says pit bulls are too aggressive for schools and has barred one being used in a class to teach kindergartners how to avoid dog bites.

The decision could mean the end of the bite-safety courses sponsored by the animal shelter and conducted with animal control officers, the La Grande Observer reports reported.

“I love dogs as much as the next person,” Superintendent Larry Glaze said. “I grew up with a dog and I have a dog in my home now. I just feel that we should use common sense when bringing animals into schools.”

President Cathie Falck of the Blue Mountain Humane Association said that’s dog discrimination — any dog could be dangerous and individual animals shouldn’t be judged based on their breed.

“We will not be providing dog bite-safety instruction in the La Grande School District,” she said. “A breed ban is wrong, it is unfair. We feel that we need to take a stand. We should not be condemning a dog just because of its breed.”

The blue nose pit bull at issue is a neutered male named Bomani and owned by Lani Blaylock, a deputy with the animal enforcement division of the Union County Sheriff’s Department. She was teaching a session last week when Glaze saw Bomani and ordered the dog out of the building.

The dog has been in La Grande elementary schools previously with no problems, Blaylock said.

“He is absolutely wonderful around children,” Blaylock said.

The association’s program was credited last week for saving third-grader Daxon Barnhart from serious injury.

He was attacked by a German shepherd mix on Sept. 28 outside his family’s house in north La Grande, and, remembering what he was taught, he pretended he was rock, curling up with his head down. He received a certificate Monday from his school commending him for bravery and following the safety lessons.

Glaze said he approves of bite-safety courses, but he said they could continue only with a gentler breed.