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