Mariah Talks Pits, Piercings and Public Speaking
Mariah from Animal Planet's Pit Boss.
Stephanie Diani/DCL
Get to know a bit more about Pit Bulls & Parolees' Mariah.
Why do you think pit bulls are a breed worth rescuing?
Because they get kicked to the bottom. Even though they are one of the world's most stable breeds, in the top two, they're still the underdog. I love their personalities and everything about them. People just don't give them the chance that they deserve, so we give them that chance.
What is your favorite pit bull rescue story?
That's a hard question because we've done so many rescues. But when I was 11, I got to go on a raid. There was a lady who kept beautiful show dogs in her home, but she had gone crazy and began doing drugs. She boarded up the house and padlocked all the kennels with the pit bulls inside. When we got there, some had died, and some had eaten puppies or eaten each other to stay alive.
What is it like living and working with parolees?
It's amazing, actually … like having a bunch of big brothers around. Just like the dogs, they're not given a chance. Everyone makes mistakes, and we don't judge them for that. They make sure that I'm safe and my mom's safe.
How has your life at Villalobos shaped who you are today?
Working there and growing up there has in every single way made me who I am today. It has taught me not to be judgmental and when to forgive and not to forgive. I have learned to keep an open mind.
Would you describe a public speaking experience where you felt that you really made a difference?
I do a lot of speaking at schools, and those are my favorite. When I was about 7, I spoke in front of the mayor of Los Angeles about spaying and neutering, with my dog L.A. by my side. I had to stand on a chair just to get to the microphone. The people were expecting nice things because, of course, little kids love puppies. I told them about the harsh things — the killing I have to see every day because of over breeding.
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