Saturday, January 9, 2016
BOARDMAN
A documentary that includes the story of a Rottweiler who died from neglect while in a Youngstown kennel will be screened Jan. 22 at Boardman Movies Eight.
“A Dog Named Gucci,” directed by Gorman Bechard, begins at 7 p.m. and tells the stories of four dogs who were victims of abuse and the people who fought for stronger legislation to punish the abusers.
Film screenings are presented by What Were We Thinking Films Inc. and the Nitro Foundation/Nitro’s Ohio Army.
The movie was first released in February 2015.
Liz Raab of Queens, N.Y., was one of the owners of Nitro, a 109-pound, 3-year-old Rottweiler she and husband, Tom Siesto, left for training at High Caliber K-9, Coitsville-Hubbard Road. The owner of the business, Steven Croley, faced a few misdemeanor convictions and subsequently filed for bankruptcy, avoiding additional civil penalties.
“To this day, we still don’t know what really happened,” Raab said.
The couple plan to attend the Jan. 22 screening. Tickets are $15 and proceeds will benefit Animal Charity and Legacy Dog Rescue. Attendees also are asked to bring pet food or a dog toy to the event.
The film includes interviews with Raab and Siesto as well as people who campaigned in other states for tougher penalties for animal abusers.
it is named for Gucci, a puppy set on fire and the Mobile, Ala., man who intervened to help.
Screenings also are planned this month in Columbus and Amherst.
Read more about the film and the events leading to its making in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.