Tragic Details About The Little Rascals

Although the kids came and went, the one constant of Our Gang was their beloved four-legged pal, Petey. However, keen-eyed viewers will notice that there were actually several different dogs portraying the canine Rascal over the years. Handled by dog trainer Harry Lucenay, the first Pete the Pup was a black and white pit bull named Pal the Wonder Dog. A veteran of the silver screen, Pal previously played Tige in the Buster Brown comedies. 

Pal's distinguishing feature, a marking resembling a partial circle around his right eye, was filled in with dye to make a continuous ring. A holdover from his Buster Brown days, the distinctive ring would make Pal one of the most recognized animal actors of his day. Not only was Pal famous, but he was rich. According to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist John Woestendiek, Pal's contract with Hal Roach made him Our Gang's second highest paid actor.

Sadly, Pal's days as Petey were numbered. An unknown assailant, likely someone with a grudge against Lucenay, poisoned Pal in 1930. Naturally, the Rascals were crushed by the news. Pal was replaced by one of his offspring. Named Lucenay's Pete, the new Petey was a literal mirror image of Pal, necessitating the migration of the famous ring to the other eye. Lucenay's Pete played the role of Pete the Pup until 1932, when Harry Lucenay was fired. Thereafter, several dogs of different bloodlines portrayed the famous pooch.