The Truth About Gerard Butler and Dogs

By PopEater Staff Posted Aug 26th 2009 02:28PM

'The Ugly Truth' star Gerard Butler is barking mad over a scuffle he had with an elderly New York couple - or, more specifically, their dog. The New York Post reports that Butler was walking his tiny pug Lolita when a run-in with a large Greyhound went wrong. Butler claims that he exchanged words with the couple after their large pet bit Lolita twice. The couple, Fred and Maria Varecka of Queens, argue that Butler went ballistic for no apparent reason - they say the two dogs merely touched noses and no biting occurred.

Butler was walking his off-leash pooch when the incident began. According to the Vareckas, Butler "went on this rampage, shouting, 'That dog should be put down!'"

"I said, 'Your dog should be put on a leash.' He kept on going and going, ranting and raving. . . . He was being verbally abusive." Maria Varecka added, "He smacked the dog in the head. The dog's head went into the fence. I was shaking. The dog yelped. I said, 'Keep your hands off my dog! Why did you hit my dog?' He didn't say a word."

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Actress Jennifer Aniston seen on the Streets of Manhattan on August 24, 2009 in New York City. Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler on Location for "The Bounty" - August 24, 2009 Streets of Manhattan New York, NY United States August 24, 2009 Photo by Brian Ach/WireImage.com To license this image (58167355), contact WireImage.com

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Actor Gerard Butler and actress Jennifer Aniston seen on the Streets of Manhattan on August 24, 2009 in New York City. Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler on Location for "The Bounty" - August 24, 2009 Streets of Manhattan New York, NY United States August 24, 2009 Photo by Brian Ach/WireImage.com To license this image (58167361), contact WireImage.com

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©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler continue filming "The Bounty." In today's scene Butler appears to arrest Aniston's character and slap on some handcuffs. NON-EXCLUSIVE August 24, 2009 Job: 90824X5 New York, New York www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

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Dog-lover Butler sees the incident in a different light. His manager Alan Siegel described the conflict: "What happened was, Gerry was walking his dog, Lolita, who is this little, small pug, a teeny thing. You can hold her in one arm, she's that small. Then, suddenly, this greyhound, this huge, menacing dog, bites Lolita. She [Maria Varecka] and Gerry then have words. . . . [Then] the dog again goes over to Lolita and takes another bite."

TMZ reports that, after the second bite, Butler put his dog on a leash and began walking away, when the woman followed him. Butler intervened when the Greyhound attempted a third bite.

Siegel said Butler spent the next four hours at an Upper East Side veterinary hospital making sure that Lolita was no worse for wear. Reportedly, the pug is safe and healthy.

"People are so mean. They're just trying to milk this," Siegel concluded.

Tags: gerard butler, GerardButler

Comments

(112)

Saturday 29 August

By Dog Mom

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I know for a fact that this takes no thinking clearly Butler is in the wrong here. You Keep your dog no matter what it is ON A LEASH. You are a Jerk hitting anyone's dog when you are clearly at fault. You are a Moron.

By true dat

the pug should have been leashed but it sounds to me like this couple were not paying attention to their dogs because they had stars in their eyes at the time. it seems it took everyone by surprise when the dog lunged at the pug. people do things without thinking. animals are some people's kids. if your "kid" is being attacked you don't think rationally. you act. mr. butler acted by shoving away the danger he felt was happening to his "kid". he may regret acting so impulsively now but i hope he doesn't regret that he protected the dog he loves. if anyone out there says they wouldn't do what it took to protect his beloved animal i say you don't deserve having one.

By Sue

This is clearly a case of irresponsible dog care on the part of Mr. Butler.
As the owner of 3 greyhounds, I can attest to their gentle nature, but I will also say that they are dogs, ruled by their instincts. Dogs will behave as dogs. I can not guarantee what any of my dogs would do if approached by a small dog who is off leash. I watch them carefully and communicate with others who are walking small dogs, even when the other dog is on leash (my greyhounds, like Mayfly, are ALWAYS leashed when not in a fenced area).
I do know that Mayfly WAS on a leash. The pug was not. Mr. Butler was not taking proper care of his own dog on a city street and, undoubtedly, over-reacted to a situation in which he perceived the dog to be in danger. Perhaps in the future, this "dog lover" will not set up his own dog to be growled at or bitten or to place him in a situation in which he feels the need to physically strike a stranger's dog.

By Makenzie

Don't care how it started. Should have had his dog on a leash. Doesn't matter how much of a "dog lover" he claims to be, the truth is in his actions.

By barbara

iI DON'T CARE IF ANYONES DOG WAS OFF THE LEASH NO ONE SHOULD BE ALOUD TO HIT ANOTHER PERSONS DOG OR ANY DOG.THAT IS NOT RIGHT IF YOU KNOW THE DOG BIT YOUR DOG THEN CALL THE COPS BUT TO HIT THE DOG NO WAY IS IT RIGHT.PUNCH THE OWNERS BUT NOT THE DOG.

By lisa

if my dog was being attacked by another, larger dog, even if mine was not on a leash, i would definitely jump in to break it up. I dont think i would rap it on the head. I would have kicked it on the head with everything i got. It would have been an instant reaction without thought or planning. I would not even think of my own safety, i would just react. I am an animal lover and have many pets and my reaction to any animal being bit would be instant.

By sweetfly

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All cities have leash laws . Regardless of what happens in a dog fight , the owner of the dog who is offleash is the guiltiest . You have got to keep your dog on a leash . There are no excuses for this . There is no getting around this . If your dog is not on a leash , any negative incident is entirely your fault .

One other point , the size of a dog has nothing to do with how aggressive the dog is or isn`t . Also , if the greyhound was on a leash it seems to me that to get bitten the small dog , the dog OFF leash , would have to be the aggressor . In other words a dog on a leash cannot really attack since it cannot go very far forward .

Sunday 30 August

By Drew

Truth is no one knows what happened because YOU weren't there...The fact is Greyhound vs. Pug is not much of a match...I like how all the people commenting act as if they know the actor (he is egotistical etc.)GTFO... These people with the Greyhound need to get a life their comments sound like they are looking for a handout...And yes, if your dog attacks mine I will smack you and your dog I don't care where you are from

By Ruby

I would have picked up my small dog after the FIRST bite and walked away, he abused another dog in anger because of his inability to be protect his own pet from THREE attacks? He was too busy having a meltdown. Also,off the leash and surprised that a bigger dog took a snap at a smaller dog, how long has he been a 'dog lover' and not know this could happen? Another hollywood princess that cannot handle reality.

By Linda

Simple answer this: Keep your dog on a leash.

By Harry

He should be on a lease with that NO talent Jen.
Two worthless Trailer Trash people. Guess he figures he can walk a dog without a leash, as he dones with the dog Jen. lol

By NewYorkGold

What a dumb azz QUEEN he is. We laughed so much when he named his dog Lolita. He looks like a Lolita Queen.

By Esther

An odd choice of "poochie-woochie" for such a manly-man.

By Patrick

Small dog, small mind, small fingers, small feet. Need we go on? Come on a suppose-to-be hunk with a tiny dog called Lolita. Surprised no one hit him instead. lol If we saw him hit an animal, we would have hit his "tiny Lolita of his body". Guess NO bone for him or Lolita.

By janice

Why so hateful, Batman? You folks have some undefined hostility to someone I doubt you know. He comes fully equipped with all body parts and the fact that he wants a small dog shows more brains than people who keep large dogs in small apartments in NYC. My nephew who is 6"2-3 and in very good shape also has a pug. His was very loving and I never heard it bark. All Butler haters are going to hate anything about the guy. That doesn't mean you are right.

By Jon

The guy is a dumbass! I've got a greyhound, THE easiest dog to maintain you could ever own. The problem is he DIDN'T have his dog on a LEASH! HELLO-where is the common sense in this World! Everybody else walks their dog on a leash but dumbass doesn't because of his macho ego walking a small dog. He's puntable-not the greyhound.

By Teresa in VA

I Don't know who is telling the truth but I do know that I am so tired of arrogant people with their dogs off leash who say their dogs are well trained so they can have them off leash. Well this is why you cannot. Other peoples dogs are not well trained so let this be a lesson to all you arrogant jerks with your dogs running around off leash scaring the daylights out of people and other dogs everywhere. JERKS!

By Geri

HEY GERRY,NEXT TIME GET A BIGGER ,MEANER DOG.

Monday 31 August

By missangelacox

okay-- this guy just needs to learn that he can't be so rude-- greyhounds are so gentle-- i applaude him for doing such a great job in acting like a douche bag-- keep it up mr butler and no one will care about you--

By leagen

I don't believe the Butler side of this story at all. I Know Greyhounds and they r Not mean dogs while Pugs can be real Nippy little monsters. Why wasn't the Pug on the Leash to begin with? I never yet have been in Any town w/out a "Leash Law:. Butler was in the Wrong and is a LIER!

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