In this fourth episode of the inaugural season, I am forced to slightly jump ahead to the spring of 2009 when I interviewed a man named Leonard Shelton. Leonard was a retired U.S. Marine, who fought in both Iraq wars.
Upon returning home, Leonard was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), due to his experiences in war. He settled in Lakewood, adopted a dog…and then became the target of their newly passed pit bull ban.
Our paths crossed in May of 2009 – about a month after he and his dog Rosco were cited under the pit bull ordinance. He agreed to be interviewed for my documentary film – Guilty Til Proven Innocent, a film that pivoted from dogfighting to breed specific legislation because of the Lakewood ban.
Unfortunately, due to his recent passing on May 15, 2023, “The Cost of Political Wars” is the complete interview and dedicated to the life of Leonard Charles Shelton.
“Leonard Shelton Fought in the Marines for 20 Years. Now He Fights for Sleep.“
– Cleveland Scene Magazine | May 21, 2008
At the time of this interview on July 31, 2009, Leonard was a retired veteran of the United States Marine Corp, where he spent 20 years serving in both Iraq wars. Upon returning home to Cleveland after his service, Leonard settled in Lakewood, Ohio, where he adopted a dog and became a target for the city's newly-passed pit bull ban.
Produced by:
River Fire Films, LLC
Directed & Edited by:
Jeff Theman
Voiceover by:
Nat Lauzon
Artist: Huma-Huma
Track: “Crimson Fly”
Artist: Kai Engel
Track: “Harbor“
Artist: Kai Engel
Track: “Oneiri“
Artist: Musictown
Track: “Cinematic Atmosphere Score 2“
Artist: Dmitrii Kolesnikov/The Mountain
Track: “Cinematic Documentary Piano“
Artist: Dmitrii Kolesnikov/The Mountain
Track: “This Documentary”
Artist: Oleksandr Savochka/Alex_MakeMusic
Track: “Soft Ambient“
Artist: Dmitrii Kolesnikov/The Mountain
Track: “The Documentaries“
Artist: Aleksey ChistilinLexin_Music
Track: “Wind Troubles the Water“
Artist: Dmitrii Kolesnikov/The Mountain
Track: “This Documentary Piano Ambient”
Artist: Lemon Music Studio/Vitaliy Levkin
Track: “The Cradle of Your Soul”
WJW Fox 8 Cleveland
IVAW (Iraq Veterans Against the War)
Soldiers of Peace (documentary)
Listen to all episodes of the “I Am Human. This Is My Dog” Podcast, and read the blog posts with additional background.
