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)

Monday 31 August

By Julie

Vote down Vote up Report this

What?

Saturday 29 August

By JasonC

He quoted the following - Lolita, who is this little, small pug, a teeny thing. We wonder, is that referring to the dog or his teeny thing? Some manly name calling your basket Lotita and you could hold in your hand ..lol ...

By Sandra

Small dog, small ?. Poor Jen.

By c hill

Awful, if true about Butler and what an overreaction. Power trip or what?

By giveumhell1

amazing!!!a story i care less about than kennedy dying!!!

By NIcki

Hmm, wonder if he's gotten her spayed yet? last I heard she was 6 months old and in heat, get her spayed!!

By Terrire

Are you referring to that creep or the dog? Can't tell. Who should be sprayed?

By dicky white

all small dogs will bite at a larger dog out of fear.besides why couldn't the person with the little dog just pick it up so that it would be safe.i have never seen a aggressive grayhound but i've seen plenty of aggressive rat dogs.

By Jacquln

Was he carrying a doggie bag? Either for his use or his dog?

By Stanford

Does he only hit dogs or real men? I'll show him a real man with a "big, big, big dog". He could hit on it and love it.

By Dee

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I have rescue greyhounds and other breeds as well. This situation is totally out of control. Mr. Butler, celebrity or not, should have had his dog on a leash. It's called being responsible. When pups are off leash it creates an unsafe environment for all involved. No doubt emotions ran high on both sides in defense of their canines. For the record, greyhounds, are one of the least agressive dogs out there. That's not to say that accidents don't happen no matter what breed(s) of dogs involved. Mr. Butler clearly needs to be more aware.

By Gary Malis

Another irresponsible dog owner. Hey Gerard Butler why didn't you have your dog on a leash? Your fault and you are without a doubt in the wrong. You too are a dumb ass pet owner.

By Joe Papiierz

I'm sorry if Butler's dog was injured. But Butler should have had his dog on leash and should have pulled it away from the other dog, then there would be no problem. The article didn't say if the time at the vets office was spent waiting to see the vet or if treatment required that much time. It certainly doesn't take more than a minute or two to see if a dog has bite injuries, expecially a small dog.

I think Butler was looking for a fight. Did he feel the need for more camera time? Was he feeling neglected? It's a shame to use your pet to feed your ego. Can't say I care whethere I hear about him again or not.

By hobbsie

If the litle dog had been on a leash it would not have been bitten, if indeed it was bitten.I tend to believe the owners of the Greyhound.He could have kept the little dog away. If Butler did strike the dog then shame on him. The whole thing was his fault. Next time he may not be so lucky. Keep the dang dog on a leash you bloomin';idiot.

By lisa

Yes, Butlers dog was off the leash. Yes the dog should have been on a leash. That does not make it o.k. for a bigger dog to bite a smaller dog. I find it hard to believe that Gerard Butler would hit a dog for smelling his dog. Makes no sense. Also, just because some greyhounds are mellow, does not mean all of them are. These people are seeing their 15 minutes and it looks like they found it.

By non ya business

maybe someone needs to PUT HIM DOWN!

By Be your self

Small dogs do have a Napoleon Complex this is true however not all dogs will fit the stereotype as far as greyhounds go they are hunters they do attack smaller dogs. My Neighbor had three greyhounds and I have chihuaha. my dog was scared to go out to the back yard becouse of those dogs the only thing protecting my dog was a chainlink fence untill one of the grey hounds learned to climb over the fence when i got home my dog was trapped under some contruction material that was in my back yard and could not get the greyhound away from my dog the neighbors were not there and I could not get a hold of them I had to call animal control so yes those dogs can be big and menacing

By Mia

Butler is at fault... if you have a dog OFF LEASH going up to a dog ON A LEASH.. this can and often does trigger the leashed dog to act defensive. If Butlers dog was on a leash he could of pulled the dog away... I'm siding with the old couple on this. Just because your small little dog is not a threat... it can be taken as a threat by an on leash dog. Just keep that in mind next time you think it's cute to have your dog run up to another random dog.

By Okay

I love how this is going. He is an actor he has money. I cant even count how many times he has been blamed for things but each time found not guilty.

Then you get the ones who dont even know who he is except an actor and thats it.

I wonder how many really know Mr. Butler. I wonder how many that have responded even know anything about him besides he is an actor.

As of the dogs, every dog has issuses of one type or another. Any dog at any time can become angry and attack. They do not have to be provoked, so whatever happened we dont know, we were not there.

By mamadontmosh

Leash laws protect dogs and people. If Butler has such a small one (dog, that is), why would he put him in danger? If the dog was small enough to pick up, why didn't Butler pick him up?

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