Over a dozen pet owners have file a lawsuit against Hollywood Paws "alleging Hollywood Paws collected tens of thousands of dollars but failed to deliver auditions, Hollywood connections and prints of doggie head shots."
Even though it's primarily a dog training school, some of the animals trained by Hollywood Paws have been put into a number of commercials and movies, including "Beauty and the Geek," "Air Buddies."
One owner's dog was set up for an audition and the scene which was set for "The Tyra Banks Show" was cut. The owner, one of those suing the company, said, "I lost a lot of money." She even asked if she could have a shot of her dog with Tyra Banks, which Hollywood Paws owner Larry Lionetti, was alleged to say "When we go out on set, you can't act like a groupie."
"Work is not up to the school. It is up to producers and directors," Lionetti responded. "I gave good training. We have wonderful results."
This story didn't make much sense until I read the bottom of the article and found that a union that represents Hollywood animal trainers was involved.
Lawyer Robert Cantore representing Teamsters Local 399, said, "playing off people's dreams of either getting their dog into the motion-
picture industry or making hundreds of thousands of dollars in the industry" as a trainer.
"Either dream is virtually unattainable."
This pretty much tells the whole story of why an animal training school is being sued by pet star owner wannabees; the union just can't stand having the competition.
Scout from Air Buddies hollywoodpaws
