Check Out Pit Bulls and Parolees

10/30/2009

No Bad Dogs

They are easily the most misunderstood breed in the world of dogs, and have been cast as both villains and victims. In Animal Planet's new six-part series, "Pit Bulls and Parolees," airing Fridays at 10 p.m., viewers will get a different view of these dogs, thanks to Tia Maria Torres, who champions them and the humans whose lives they touch.

A native of Southern California, Tia endured a broken home as a child, and later coped with an abusive spouse. But her lifelong compassion for animals remained the one constant.

Inspired by an affectionate pit bull named Tatanka, and dismayed at the treatment of so many of these dogs, Tia built the Villalobos Rescue Center, now the biggest pit bull rescue facility in the country. A tireless trainer and defender of the dogs, Tia added another element in 2006. As the series illustrates, her program "The Underdawgz" matches ex-convicts with pit bulls at the rescue center. By teaming up, both men and dogs get a chance to feel useful and learn companionship that grows into affection.

Always-busy Tia, who cares for more than 100 dogs daily, was recently interviewed by The Mole:

Tia, what's the most challenging part of pairing up the parolees and dogs?
Sometimes these guys think they're more experienced than they are. So they will want to take on a dog with the most problems, because they feel sorry for it. Sometimes it's a disaster, sometimes it's harmony. We have a dog here named Shabazz, whose owner turned him in and said he's not that friendly. I told the guys he wasn't going to work out here because he growls at everyone and tries to bite people. Matt [a federal parolee] came to me and pleaded for Shabazz's life. Literally begged me not to make any "rash decisions," and said that he personally would work with and deal with the dog. He said that Shabazz reminded him of himself, a big tough-looking guy who's actually just scared.

How do most parolees respond to the responsibility of caring for one of these dogs? Is there an instant bond or does it take awhile for men and dogs to connect?
They actually bond extremely quickly. First it's like a kid in a candy store. They keep picking this dog for their favorite, and then it's that dog, and then back to this dog. It's really cute. And what is so surprising is that you would be shocked to see which dogs they pick as "theirs."  It's usually a female dog, and a scrawny, non-descript, plain-Jane-looking dog.  It's I who usually goes for the gargantuan-looking dogs!

I know you're always trying to get pit bulls and pit mixes into the right homes, where they'll be loved, so in your view, what's the ideal dream kind of home for a pit bull?
The perfect pit bull home is one with no other animals. That's first and foremost. We really like it if they live in a condo/apartment type situation, because this "forces" the owner to spend more time with their dog, by having to go out for walks and trips to the market,etc. There's no backyard to toss the dog into and forget about it.

And who's the best kind of owner for one of these dogs?
The best owner for a pit bull really doesn't have a label. Pit bull owners are so eclectic. We have big, burly, tattooed guys, all the way down to grandmas. I have one grandma in one of my training classes who owns four pit bulls! But the one quality that a pit bull owner should have is tenacity, just like the dogs. Because as owners, we take such a beating from society, we need to know how to stand up for ourselves and our dogs.

What's the main message you hope to get out there with this new series "Pit Bulls and Parolees"?
I hope people see that there is nothing monstrous about pit bulls. I don't feel that I'm naive when it comes to the breed, and that being said, I've only seen a handful of aggressive pit bulls here at my facility — I mean aggressive toward humans. If I had my way, I'd love every "hater" of pit bulls to spend only minutes with a pit bull. [After that] if you can still walk away and call them evil, then so be it. But something tells me you'll be pleasantly surprised. So if I can change a hater's mind in only minutes, imagine what a one-hour TV episode will do.

Check back next week for Part 2 of The Mole's conversation with Tia Torres, and catch the premiere of "Pit Bulls and Parolees" at 10 p.m. Friday night.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Animal Planet

Comments

[Jerry and Kay]

Why someone would rate this heartwarming story less than a '5' is a mystery to me. The dogs ARE the most misunderstood breed, they endure horrendous and cruel treatment, and to read about one person caring enough to spread the truth and create a program that benefits the dogs AND people is wonderful. As usual, Mole, you get right to the heart and present us with informative, educational information, and let us know that for today, somebody has helped animal in need. That's one less animal that will be cruelly abused, and perhaps one more person who will become more compassionate about the plight of animals.

[Lonnie]

I would Like to know your number so i could give you a call please get back to me when you can because I love your show and would take a boy off of your hands.

[Angela Cure]

Please help. I caught your show last night and I'm having a Pitt Bull crisis. I live in Ohio and in our State the owner of Pitt Bull must carry a $100,000 Insurance policy on the animal. This is not required for any other breed and these dogs have NEVER been fought and have NEVER been aggresive. And just because the neighbor is Sour Apple they can just be uprooted and sent away from their loving family or order to be put down on the spot. Simply for being born Pitt Bulls~!! I heard you say something about the American something Temper report? Where can I find this? The family goes to court Thursday. I would really like to rally everyone, you, Ceasar the British girl everyone to help change the Ohio laws! These poor guys just get discriminated against. Please contact me 937-271-4888 or angela.cure@yahoo.com

[Angela Cure]

PS. If I don't hear from you, I understand that you have sooo much going on right now, and you can't help all of the pitt bulls of the world but I really want to help these two and more in my state. Thanks

[kayla]

i was wondering if u had a site for all ur adoptable dogs to look at thank you

[bikki]

HOW ARE THEY WITH DOGS THAT ALREADY POSSEIVE EVERYTHIG??

[stephanie]

i really love the fact tha all of u guys did this for the bread i love alot i have one of my own hes a red nose and his name is lotus pod...u dont know how much im greatfull for u giving them homes other than what they use to go through.. getting put down or hurt love u guys for this
stephanie barrera

[Shanae Hardiman]

I have just finished watching an episode of pitbulls and parolees and was/am very pleased that society has Tia Torrez that is an advocate for pitbulls. Myself have a passion for pitbulls definitely because they are so poorly represented in society as being vicious dogs and they are not. Pitbulls are highly trained to please their owners and if the owner wants them to fight that is what they will do to the fullest. From my experience with my American Statfordshire Terrier she was amaziing, very easy to train and great around kids and my mother's pitbull as well, since my brother has bred and trained them i have definitely grown to love and advocate for pitbulls here in Michigan.
And again thank you so much

[Deric Knight]

i am the owner of a very cute pittbull mix she is so friendly i really dont see why anyone would hate them but i have also been a vitcim of that hate aswell i owned one pittbull mix before i got the cutie i have now but he was even more friendly than she is he would always just meet a stranger he would sit down wag his club of a tail and wait for them to pet him he was extremely lovable but i guess that not everyone could see that in him i guess what they saw was a pittbull rottweiler that would be some kind of monster and that they were doing the world a favor by poisoning him when he was 8 months old i still dont understand why people have such hate for a dog breed if the dog is raised right it wont be aggressive at all any aniaml if raised a certain way will act that way if a dog is trained to be a killer thats what it will be but if the dog is trained to be a sweetheart thats what you get and pittbulls are no different yeah they make wonderfull guard dogs but only if you dont take it to the extreme dogs are already protective of there territory and a terrific judge of character if you just watch your dogs body language they will tell you if someone around you is going to do something they shouldnt do but to wrap my long rambling up i am glad to see that there are people that feel the same way i do about pittbulls and to see that there is a show about them and how sweet they really are just warms my heart

[charles eder]

im tryin to find tha num for pit bulls and parolees to find out what i can do to help im a pitt bull owner to.what u do is soo kool.

[Joni]

I watched the marathon that was on today (the first time I have seen the show)and I have to say that I absolutely love this show. Tia is such an amazing woman who has devoted her whole life to these dogs. Her daughters too. I worked at an animal shelter for 5 years so I know the bad rap this breed can get. While I worked there, no Pit bull ever went up for adoption, if an owner did not come for them, they would be euthanized. Now, I am happy to say that has changed at this shelter and they now get another chance at life.
Back to the show. Just in the five episodes that I watched today, I grew to care about these people and the dogs, of course. I was sad to see a couple of the guys get themselves back into trouble. Happy to see the adooptions.
Tia, keep up the fabulous work and I will continue to tune in and spread the word!

[Angela]

I love this show. I am a very proud Pit Bull owner. The best, sweetest most loyal dogs I have ever owned. To pair this breed with people that deserve a second chance is genious. Thank you Tia. You are an angle among humans!

[Angela]

I meant "ANGEL" among humans, not "angle." LOL

[Steve]

I love PITBULLS their the best kind of dog breed that you can get.I grew up with PITBULLS when I first had my own it was the best thing I had.She was 13 when we had to put her down but I know if she was still here smilling at me right now. Thanks for saying something good about PITBULLS THEY ARE THE ONE AND ONLEY BEST BREED OUT THERE THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Brenda Pace]

I love my pit bull his name is champ and i got him from a pound I took a chance on him and he is the best dog i have every owned it is not the pit that's bad it people that treat them and train then to be bad ps
i love your show
how can i donate money to help out please let me know that you
Brenda

[samantha]

hey I just want to say I love your show and I want to be just like you when I get older I'm only 16 and your like a rollmodel to me because before I watched your show I used to get dogs all around the neighborhood all kinds of breeds one time I had 13 dogs all together but now I can't do that anymore because of city limits but if I every have a pitt bull that needs help all call you and can you send me a picture of a male pitt bull that needs a home because I know people that want a pitt bull and how much is the fee to get a pitt bull because in the future I would love to help clean the kennels and water them and everything cause I know you need help my name is samantha richardson and I'm 16 and I try to work at the spca but there not open long enough for me.I will contiune to watch your show and I love what your doing for those dogs I bet there greatful

[richard williams]

HEY I ENJOY WATCHING YOURS SHOW.I;M AN OWNER OF A FEMALE PITTBULL AND I WOULD LUV TO ADPOT AN PITTBULL DOG FROM YOU. I HAVE A NICE HOME AND BIG BACKYARD FOR A DOG SO PLEASE CONTACT ME 704-392-2696/CAROLINABLUE704@YAHOO.COM MY NAMEIS RICHARD

[David Green]

Hey i love your show, I think what your doing is a blessing to these dogs. I recently owned a pittbull her name was jasmine. She was a red nose black nose the most beautiful dog ive ever had. I had to put her down due to a recent living situation. I think that its horrible what people do to these dogs. They deserve more respect then what they get. When i put her down i was walkin out an crying an i turned to the whole staff an said "so is this one wonderful dog bein put down justify the people that have been bitten, jus cause the news cant report anyother dog attacks." Then i left in a rage, to this day i still regret putting down the bestest friend ive ever had. An I hope to see her in heaven. I wish i could work in an organization like yours. Its almost as if they were slaves an you are martin luther king. I have such a passion for these dogs i will never ever change the breed of dog i prefer. My buddies an I all own or owned pittbulls, an we all share the same passion for these animals. I live in Chicago, an i know for a fact im comin to you to get my next pitt. When i get my house im getting two of them from you. I will drive all the way there, jus to help someone out who tries as hard as you do. I want to say thank you for doing all what you do, an your volunteers. And i would fight to the death for these dogs as much as they would for me. I love your show i hope everything worksout for you an your husband. Godbless you, your family, the dogs an the parolees are in my prayers.

[Joy Taber]

I absolutely love your show and all that you are about. My fiancee has loved pitbulls his whole life and has owned several. I on the other hand have just been recently introduced to the breed and I have to say they are the greatest. We have 2 plus 2 that are also part lab which is my other favorite dog. One of my pits I rescued from a country road. Someone had dumped her along with their trash. It was horrible. Her and my male, Capone, hit it off immediately and she took to my other dogs with no problem whatsoever. They have more personaility than any other type of dog I have ever owned. I think what you are doing is awesome and amazing. I would so love to do what you are doing. I keep praying that something will work out.

[madison]

i want a pit bull my mom dosent how can i cange that and tell her they r great dogs AND MY FAVRIOT

[Kensley]

My pitbull is a great dog her name is dixie I saw her in the steet when she was a puppy. She stell with use she is 4 years a go she is really nice and sweet.

[Kensley]

My pitbull is a great dog her name is dixie I saw her in the steet when she was a puppy. She stell with use she is 4 years a go she is really nice and sweet.

[Kensley]

I love your show.I really like when you go to get the pitbulls and help all the pitbullss. I like your douthers and sonns. I do not know why your huabend went to jell for know reason the proalee stal the bike not your huasbend.

[hailey i am 11 years old]

hey tia i really love your show and when i grow up i wish i could do the same job as and i do think it is curel for people to abuse pitbulls and if i could with your permission i would adopt 20 pitbulls or i wish i could come and work for you we have 2 dogs boxer and basithound.I am so sorry about rock when i heard that they put him down i cryed the boxer that we have is my mom's and i used to have a my own tan boxer when i heard he got ran over by the train in front of ower house i could not sleep i felt pain in my heart i felt like i wanted to kill myself to be with him again and i still fell what i felt that day when my mom told me in the car when she picked me up from school when wort this i was crying all the way through i just wish i could talk to you in person

from your fan hailey dawn throgmartin:(

[smooth elliptical]

They are very misinterpreted as harmful dogs.