Pit Bull Rescue Event Coming to Western Springs

A Western Springs resident and pit bull owner is hoping to educate people about the misconceptions of the breed at an awareness and adoption event in town this weekend. 

Julie Beitz, of the It's a Pittie Rescue , will be at the Western Springs event, which is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, May 11, at Pet Necessities, 4354 Johnson Ave. 

In addition to visiting the Western Springs pet shop, people can enter raffles and meet a few pit bulls up for adoption by the rescue.

"People can really see first hand how lovable these dogs really are," Beitz said. "They are not scary, they are not vicious. People get that idea from the news.

"When we hear a dog has hurt somebody—or as they say in the news, 'attacked somebody,'—we don’t always know the background. They could be unaltered, non-neutered, unsocialized. We don’t necessarily always hear those facts. It’s always 'this dog did this, so this dog is bad.'"

Beitz adopted a pit bull, Kringle, two years ago and said it's been incredible. 

"My parents were very leery about me getting a pit bull," she said. "Now he’s just a part of the family and their minds have been completely changed. We do feel like we have to fight a little more for our dogs."

It's a Pittie serves the entire Chicago area. We recently profiled the organization on Patch and discussed the rescue of Mama Petunia, who was rescued in the south suburbs after being abused and set on fire. Petunia gave birth to 10 pups, five of which were stillborn, and two more that have since died. Petunia also died. 

"The sad part is, she’s just one of a million that happens to, but if she can put a face to animal cruelty, then I guess that’s the positive side to what happened," Beitz said. "People need to be aware that this does occur."

As a Western Springs resident, Beitz visited the Pet Necessities pet shop in town. And after working with owner Andrew Krichbaum on the same event last year, she said it's the only place she goes. 

Write a review of Pet Necessities in Western Springs. 

It's a Pittie hosts similar events throughout the Chicago area to help grow awareness and find homes for pit bulls. It's a foster program, and Beitz said there isn't usually an issue finding a home for pit bulls. In about two years the rescue has helped adopt nearly 250 pit bulls. 

The next major event It's a Pittie has is "Bowling for Bullies," at Pinstripes bowling alley in Oakbrook. The event is 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. June 9. Go here for more information.  

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