Los Angeles Times

Lu Parker, perhaps the splashiest reporter in local TV, smiles as she marches through the South Los Angeles animal shelter. By her side on a leash is a mixed pit bull fresh out of the shelter’s cages.

“Aren’t you the lucky one?” Parker, who reports for KTLA-TV Channel 5′s evening newscasts, coos to the muscular pooch she has recruited for a photo shoot showing her love for animals. She flashes a poised cover-girl style pose for the camera even though her frisky accomplice is being less than cooperative.

This isn’t just another visit to the shelter for Parker More…