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“A Dog Named Gucci” explores abuse of Valley dog; premieres at Boardman Movies 8
IF YOU GO
What: “A Dog Named Gucci” screening
Where: Boardman Movies Eight
When: Jan. 22, 7 p.m.
By Denise Dick
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. They left enough food for their pets for three months as well as vitamins and medicine.
The couple formed the Nitro Foundation and, along with Nitro’s Ohio Army members, lobbied Ohio legislators for Nitro’s Law.
“We fought for five years to get [Nitro’s Law] passed,” Raab said.
The law, passed in 2013, made it a felony for kennel owners and employees who abuse or starve animals in their care.
“I wish it wouldn’t have taken five years and that they would continue to build upon it,” Raab said of the legislation. “It could be expanded upon.”
The couple plans 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.
Animal Charity is Mahoning County’s only humane agency.
Legacy houses animals, some of which have been abused or abandoned, in foster homes until they are adopted into permanent homes.
Jennifer Overmeier, a Legacy member, said the organization is proud to be part of the event.
When authorities recovered Nitro’s carcass, it weighed 50 pounds. Several other dogs also were found dead at the kennel.
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.
They learned there was a problem through The Vindicator website, vindy.com, when they searched online for the kennel.
The couple left their dogs, Nitro and his sister, who survived, with Croley whom they considered a friend. He had worked at the facility where they bought Nitro.
The film includes interviews with Raab and Siesto as well as people who campaigned in other states for tougher penalties for animal abusers. The film 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.
Mike Smeck of Amherst, a member of Nitro’s Ohio Army, the group that rallied for thw law’s passage, said those three communities were chosen strategically.
“We spent so much time in Columbus, trying to get it passed,” he said.
Youngstown was picked because that’s where Nitro died and Amherst because it’s between Cleveland and Sandusky and because Smeck knows many in that area who are ardent supporters.
Smeck, who owns a Rottweiler mix, got involved in the campaign to strengthen penalties for animal abusers after learning about Nitro’s story and talking to Raab and Siesto.
“At that point in time, I didn’t realize how lax the law in Ohio was,” he said.
Raab described Nitro as a smart, fun, lovable boy.
“A lot of people are afraid of Rottweilers, but they’re just big clowns,” she said. “He liked to get dressed up, and he was very, very loving.”
Their other dog, a female, remains with the couple.
“Thank God she’s still with me,” Raab said. “She wasn’t there as long as he was.”
The film chronicles “how out of tragedy, a change came about,” said Jason Cooke, an animal activist and member of Nitro’s Ohio Army.
Smeck said the film, which won the 2015 ASPCA Media Excellence Award, isn’t graphic.
“It’s an inspiring look at the dogs and the dogs’ owners who took on the system and changed the law,” he said. “It tries to show people that you can make a difference.”
But it takes all of us getting together, writing, emailing, calling and going to Columbus.”