FAST FACTS:

Weight: 145 kilograms
Height: 1.84 metres
Marital status: Married seven years
Children: One son, 5 years old
Tattoos: Too many to count!
Favourite dogs: Pit bulls
Favourite musical artist: Johnny Cash
Vehicle of choice: My 1950 Buick, 1966 Nova or my Harley!

A guy who looks like he could snap you in two, Anthony Rossano checks in at 1.46 metres, weighing 145 kilograms — it is easy to figure out why they call him “Big Ant”! From farms in Italy to the streets of Brooklyn and Queens, Big Ant learned early on that respect is a way of life.

Well known in the gearhead community and the biker world, Big Ant is an old-school guy who loves Harleys and hot rods. Two wheels or four, there is nothing he cannot tear down, repair and customise. He likes his rides to have power and style, and whether he is on the road in his ’50 Buick, running the quarter-mile in his ’66 Nova or screaming down an interstate on a custom Harley, Big Ant turns heads wherever he goes.

He is a true tough guy who can be a scary, menacing presence, but at the same he is a very funny guy with a big warm heart. Big Ant believes that animal abusers are weak, preying on defenceless creatures who cannot defend themselves, and he will not tolerate them. Once confronted and educated by Big Ant, most decide to change their ways rather than having to deal with him again.

Big Ant’s love for animals can be traced back to his childhood, when he lived on his uncle’s farm just outside Naples, Italy. The farm had all the animals you would expect, including chickens, cows, pigs, dogs and cats, and he loved every one of them. When his family moved to New York, his parents kept chickens and goats in the backyard of their home.

His household includes two dogs, a cat, a turtle, two rabbits and a well-populated fish tank — all of which he has rescued. Big Ant feels that having a house full of wonderful creatures provides an environment that is both stress free and nurturing.

Today, Big Ant passes on his passion for animals to his young son. Their tender interaction is part of this fall’s new series, RESCUE INK.