NYC celebrities rally to save pit bulls: ‘Things are worse now than they’ve ever been’

Rebecca Corry doesn’t want her celebrity-studded comedy tour to exist.

The actress-turned-dog-activist is in New York City this weekend to promote the 15th anniversary of her “Stand Up For Pits” comedy show — which on Sunday will feature Janeane Garofalo at Gotham Comedy Club in Chelsea.

Corry’s dream would be for her nonprofit to shut down for good.

“Sadly, things are worse now than they’ve ever been,” she said. “This country is in a state of emergency when it comes to animals.”

Animal shelters nationwide are in crisis, grappling with an influx of dogs and lack of adopters. The city’s shelter system, Animal Care Centers of NYC, pleaded for help on social media this month: “New Yorkers, your city’s shelter is over capacity — more than triple what we can safely hold.”

Pit bulls in the city are particularly at risk: The length of time dogs are spending in shelters is on the rise and they’re being abandoned for a variety of reasons according to the ASPCA – which can lead to the euthanasia of innocent animals.

Corry’s nonprofit and its comedy event, Stand Up For Pits, has long attracted famous New Yorkers with its mission of advocating for pit bull-type dogs, which, she says, are among the most vilified and abused dogs on the planet, echoing a claim from PETA.

In years past, Jim Gaffigan, John Mulaney, Michelle Buteau and Rosie O’Donnell donated their time to the cause.

“In some ways, comedians are underdogs themselves,” Corry said. "It's the job of the comedian to tell the truth, whether it’s going to be received well or not.”

Her event comes as pit bulls have made headlines in the city: This week, after a 1-month-old baby was found dead in Queens, police said a German Shepherd-pit bull puppy killed the girl. The medical examiner, however, now says the newborn died before the dog bit her. Earlier this month, two pit bulls attacked a chihuahua. City officials said those dogs had killed another dog earlier this year.

Advocates for pit bulls say the animals suffer disproportionately at the hands of humans who treat them badly, sometimes forcing them into illegal dogfighting. They say the bad rap is unfair and the dogs are not inherently aggressive — they’re exploited by abusive handlers.

In recent years, some research has found that a dog’s genetics don’t determine its temperament or personality, and that its environment is more likely to shape its behavior.

“What is happening to these dogs is not an animal welfare issue. This is a societal issue. This is a broken human issue,” Corry said.

Still, the internet is rife with message boards describing the dogs as dangerous, and the pit bull’s reputation is so controversial that the ASPCA has a position statement on the dog on its website, concluding that “all dogs, including pit bulls, are individuals.”

Further complicating the pit bull reputation is the fact that pit bulls aren’t actually a breed but rather a category that includes many different breeds such as American Staffordshire terriers and American pit bull terriers.

“Because the ‘pit bull’ label is often given to a dog regardless of its genetic makeup, a wide range of mixed-breed dogs, including pit bull-type dogs, are often stereotyped as dangerous,” said Rachel Maso, director of animal behavior at the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York. “As a result, pit bulls are one of the most at-risk populations in shelters today.”

Corry learned about pit bulls firsthand in 2008, after adopting Angel, a stocky stray found with her ears chopped off, her tail broken, and her back burned. Despite the abuse Angel suffered, she was a gentle, sweet natured companion. It inspired Corry, who appeared on NBC’s “One Big Happy,” to mothball her Hollywood career in favor of activism.

“I certainly didn’t study acting, writing or comedy for all those years to run a charity,” Corry said. “Angel taught me about love, life, authenticity and purpose without ever saying a word ... She was the wisest teacher I have ever known.”

Corry will join comedians Garofalo, Gary Gulman and Bonnie McFarlane on Sunday to supply some sorely needed comic relief.

“When things get so bad, your only option is to laugh,” she said, adding, “We all deserve a break from the bad.”

Garofalo, a "pibble" mom herself (a national movement began several years ago to rebrand pit bulls as “pibbles”), has graced the Stand Up For Pits stage more than any other comedian, and Corry says they’ve “absolutely bonded over” pit bulls.

“These special dogs and the work Rebecca and the Stand Up For Pits Foundation does for them is extremely important,” Garofalo said in a statement. “Supporting life-saving efforts by performing every year in New York at Stand Up For Pits is an honor.”

Corry insisted that her events aren’t so bleak. The entertainers perform whatever they want; it’s not pit bull or animal rescue specific. In between sets, she shares short films on her group’s work, which includes grants to rescues, spay and neuter days, and the creation of a dogfighting tip line in Los Angeles.

“Humor is so important. I think it unifies people. It unites people,” Corry said. “It’s a coping mechanism. … We should all laugh. Life is too short not to.”

Stand Up For Pits is Sunday, June 1 at 5:30 p.m. at Gotham Comedy Club. Tickets start at around $70.