Animal Planet Show Scheduled to Film in Wantagh Sunday

The Animal Planet television series “Pitbulls and Parolees" is scheduled to film in Wantagh Sunday during the first ever Bully Brigade.

The Bully Breed Brigade 2011, sponsored by the and Last Hope, Inc., is a day-long event aimed at promoting pitbull awareness, adoption and welfare. The event will be held Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. across from on Beltagh Avenue in between the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter and .

Tia Torres, who heads the Villalobos Rescue Center in Los Angeles and stars on “Pitbulls and Parolees", is scheduled to appear at the Bully Brigade. Hempstead Animal Shelter Director Cindy Iacopella reached out to Torres and the Villalobos Rescue Center agreed to appear for the Bully Brigade to rescue pitbulls who were recent victims of a dogfighting ring that their previous owners were arrested with running in Elmont.

The rescue of the pitbulls is expected to be taped for an upcoming episode of “Pitbulls and Parolees", according to Hempstead officials. The Villalobos Rescue Center has named the group of pitbulls who will be rescued, “The Hempstead Hopefuls.”

“We are thrilled that these dogs will be taken in by a wonderful organization that provides hope for pitbulls across the country,” said Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray.

“These pitbulls will be in loving, caring hands with Villalobos Rescue Center, led by Tia Torres,” said Iacopella. “They are getting a second chance to live a loving life with family instead of being subjected to a horrible life of cruelty.

Sunday's Bully Brigade will include an adoption fair, vendors, trainers, breed advocates, holistic experts and T-touch demos.At 12:30 p.m. , the pit parade of "ambassadors" will take place with the furry animals putting their best paws forward with hopes of adoption.