Pit Bulls and Parolees

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.

Airing on Animal Planet, Pit Bulls And Parolees is a documentary about the Villalobos Rescue Center, the largest pit bull rescue in the country, and the parolees it employees. Run by Tia Maria Torres, it chronicles life on the ranch and how her family copes with their chaotic lifestyle.


Tropes used in Pit Bulls and Parolees include:


  • The Atoner: Many, if not most, of the parolees.
  • Big Friendly Dog: Most of the pit bulls, though there are a few former fighting dogs who are "lifers" who are too dangerous to adopt out.
  • But Now I Must Go: There have been several times when a parolee has decided to leave and move on, and it's usually bittersweet for Tia. Cameron was one parolee who decided to leave once he finally graduated from high school. He came back after his plans fell through, and Tia welcomed him back with open arms.
  • Expository Hairstyle Change: One way to tell the passage of time is to look at what color Mariah's hair currently is, since it's been blonde, black, black with blond streaks and red.
  • Nakama: The entire crew.
  • Meaningful Name: Villalobos means "House of the Wolves". Not only was it a wolf sanctuary before being turned into a pit bull rescue, but also wolves and pit bulls are the same species.
  • Mr. Muffykins: Tania's dog Wedgie, a French Bulldog, described by Tia as the most annoying little dog in L.A., and was at one point used as a test for a dog going to a home with several small dogs.
  • Redheaded Hero: Tia
  • Scary Black Man: Several parolees have seemed to be this, but most turn out to be big softies.
  • Share the Male Pain: When the parolees watch a dog get neutered their eyes bug out.
  • Single-Minded Twins: Tia's adopted twins Kanani and Keli'i often act like this.
  • What the Hell, Townspeople?: The people in the town where they wanted to build their new rescue, who did everything in their power to stop construction. Unfortunately, they succeeded.