Stories like this make me think that to an extent celebrities, especially the likes of Gerard Butler become targets for people who have nothing better to do.  Maybe that is both unfair and harsh, but case in point:  Gerard Butler is on the New York set of The Bounty with his little pug Lolita, and a local (no disrespect to New Yorkers because I love New York so much and this isn’t about location) is walking his Greyhounds on Monday when the incident in question took place.

The local, Fred Varecka told Radar Online ‘that the actor struck one of his greyhounds, Mayfly, after Butler’s unleashed pug came over to check out the two pups Monday afternoon in Queens, N.Y.:

“My dog crashed into a fence before ‘yelping’ in pain,” Varecka claims. “I asked him: ‘What did you hit my dog for?’ But he just kept ranting and raving that our dog should be put down — it was unbelievable because the dogs never came into contact at any time.”

According to someone on the set that’s not what happened at all and that one of the Greyhounds:

“attacked Gerry’s pug. Gerry had to physically get in the middle of the two of them to protect the little dog. And then he quickly put a leash on his dog. As far as I know, they are exaggerating; Gerry is an animal lover and simply separated the dogs.

“Gerry is not going to respond to this because he knows he didn’t do anything wrong,” the source continues. “He’s devastated that these people are saying these things, he would never hurt another animal.”

I do believe Lolita should have been leashed for her own protection, but the Vareckas should have had more control over their dogs.  Gerard’s rep says of the situation:

“A larger greyhound repeatedly attacked Gerard’s small pug, so he separated them to protect both dogs.”

The Varecka’s filed a complaint with the local police department and NYPD spokesman Martin Speechley said of the incident:

“The victim states that the male’s dog was unleashed and charged at her dog. She stated, ‘Your dog should be on a leash,’ to which the perp cursed her out,” says Speechley, noting that this is not an offense that could result in an arrest. “They are claiming someone cursed at them.”

Gerard isn’t going to be interviewed by the police or charged with anything.  To be on the safe side Gerard Butler took Lolita to the vet (God I LOVE this man) and not only did he do the right thing by his own dog, he helped out a family in need:

“When Gerry was in the waiting room, there was a couple whose dog was really, really sick and to get further treatment they needed $3,000,” the source tells PEOPLE Pets. “Gerry overheard the situation and offered to pay and the dog is surviving because of this.”

That is so totally hot I’m beside myself right now.  Gerard needs to be thanked for his goodwill to four-legged creatures.  And because I’m in a generous, loving mood, I’m getting on a plane as we speak so that I can show my appreciation in person, and those of you who know me (and this blog) know exactly what I mean.  Thank God I got waxed today.  Enough said

Photo:  WENN.com