Pit Bulls: Mean or misunderstood?

MANILA, Philippines - Their formidable appearance and the fact that the mere sight of a barking Pit Bull is often enough to make people nervous add to the bad reputation Pit Bulls have earned — no thanks to neglectful owners and their use as fighting dogs. It’s not surprising to know that most people would prefer taking care of a different type of dog.

There is, however, another side to Pit Bulls. They may be capable of ferocious attacks, but they are also capable of protecting their loved ones. In 2007, for example, an American Pit Bull named Chief rescued 87-year-old Liberata la Victoria and her granddaughter Maria Victoria Fronteras from being attacked by a cobra, which had entered their house in barangay Lapasan, Philippines. The four-year-old Pit Bull jumped in front of the snake just as it was about to strike, using his body as a shield in order to protect his owners.

Despite being able to kill the snake, Chief sustained a bite to his jaw, and moments later, he collapsed. His family took him to the veterinarian, but the venom had already spread and it was too late to do anything. Chief held on until Marlone, Maria Victoria’s husband, came to see him.

“Chief gave his two deep breaths and died. He was fighting and saving his last (breaths) to (get) a glimpse of his master for the last two seconds of his life,” Ian dela Rama, a friend of the family, said. “The last thing he did when he gazed at Marlon was wag his tail.”

And this is just one of the many stories that question the accuracy of the perception that Pit Bulls are incapable of such acts of heroism and love.

Pit Bulls and Parolees by Animal Planet aims to show people that there is a possiblity for redemption and rehabilitation not only for these ill-reputed dogs, but also for convicted felons on parole, who are, in a sense, sometimes as misunderstood as Pit Bulls.

At the center of it all is one extraordinary woman — Tia Maria Torres. Pit Bulls and Parolees follows the turbulent drama and bittersweet moments at the place where felons and ill-reputed dogs come together to rescue one another from their dim pasts, to bring new meaning to life.

Pit Bulls and Parolees airs on Animal Planet Mondays at 10 p.m. SIN/HK with encores every Wednesday at 2 p,m. and Monday at 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Tia Maria Torres has always loved animals. Even in her teenage years, she spent much of her time helping people and their pets that were in need. Following a chance encounter with a Pit Bull named Tatanka, Tia decided to dedicate her life to saving these misunderstood dogs. Pit Bulls make great family companions and loving pets while in the right hands and living situations but like all pets, they require responsible and dedicated ownership.

Tia is one of America’s most renowned Pit Bull trainers and the founder of the Villalobos Rescue Center. The Villalobos Rescue Center in Southern California is the largest Pit Bull rescue facility in the country, with the capacity to house up to 200 dogs.

With the help of her daughter Tania, Tia works against all odds to save the Pit Bulls and help repaint their reputation, as she believes they are the world’s most misunderstood breed of dog.

To do this, Tia has set up a special program called The Underdawgz, where she pairs the dogs with unlikely masters — convicted felons out on parole — in the belief that these delinquent canine-and-man teams can redeem themselves and strip one another from their ominous pasts. For information, visit Animal Planet at www.animalplanetasia.com.