I caught this a few days ago and it has really been bothering me. I have such a great respect for those who rescue and save and rehome dogs that would otherwise be facing a death sentence. Most rescues are reputable and upstanding, the people who run them putting their lives, hearts and passions into them but not all rescues have that same dedication. Take Southside Bulldoggin, for example.
Casey Phelps says that in three years her Nashville, TN rescue, which specializes in pitbulls, has given new homes to thousands of dogs but a little digging at Metro Animal Control shows that at least 261 were turned over there and killed. MCA doesn’t adopt pitbulls out.
Phelps advertises that she will take unwanted dogs for a $50 donation and promises to rehome them.”She rescues them, finds them a home, adopts them out,” said Casey’s brother Curly Phelps. “She’ll put an ad in – people will come by to view the dogs, bring their children.”
But for that $50 donation, it bought death for at least 261 dog that were turned over to her to find loving new homes.
“The bad thing about a pit bull is once you release them to us it’s a death penalty it’s our policy not to adopt pit bulls,” said Billy Biggs with Metro Animal Control.
Of course Phelps counters that she only takes the aggressive ones to MCA. But 261 aggressive dogs in 3 years at one little rescue?? One animal love that was initially going to turn over a stray pitbull she rescued isn’t buying it.
“They’re going to realize the dog they took to her and gave her $50 for was killed in a shelter,” said Candi. “Deceived, tricked, cheated – sad.”
In 2006 Phelps was charged with animal cruelty for the poor conditions at her rescue but police say that there is nothing they can do if Phelps is misleading people because fraud is very hard to prove in a case like this.
If you go the Soutside Bulldoggin website you will find their response to the accusations. I’ve printed some of it below, including the grammatical errors. By the way, not only do they claim to be a rescue, but also breeders, which to me is extremely counterproductive!
If you bring us a dog and it shows any type of human aggression and or Kid aggression,we do not adopt them out to familys,if you are unable to take the dog back we will take the dog to Metro Animal Control where it will be put down. Also for those of you who continue to throw dogs in my yard at night,please no that if I dont have anywhere to house the dog it must also go to Animal Control.
Im posting this because of News 5 twisted report! Those of you who know me know that the dogs I take in to Metro AC are the dogs that are people aggressive and unadoptable. We would never put a dog down that is sweet and can get a home! If we kept every people and kid aggressive dog then we would not be able to help the sweet ones that can get a home and deserve a home.
As long as the dog is good with people and kids then we will find it a home.
Perhaps you can see why this has disturbed me so much!
One of my dearest friends runs a rescue and she certainly doesn’t charge people who leave their dogs and rather than dump dogs at a shelter, she does to the local shelters and pulls dogs on death row. She has turned part of her rescue into a sanctuary for dogs that cannot be adopted out so that rahter than face death, they can at least live of the rest of their lives happily, peacefully and with companionship of other dogs that she takes the time to match them with.
I am not going to go into all my thoughts and feeling on this one other than this place should be shut down. She claims she has rehomes thousands I’d love to see some proof of that. I just don’t trust her or believe her, 261 dogs over three years dead….
Let's see , 261 X 50 = $13,050 . If they were aggressive A- how were they brought to them B -how did they take them in for their death sentence . SCAMMERS
Glad I'm not the only one who thinks so.. thanks Terry! All comes down to the cold, hard cash!
D.
Who is going to bring an aggressive dog in ? Does this make sense? If it was aggressive what's it going to do , settle down while it is transported their , then get mean again
Phelps better learn what rescue/rehoming means. She is not looking out in the best interests of each and every animal. I have never, ever heard of a rescue advertising that they will take your dog for $50.00 to rehome the dog. What a scam artist. She needs to have her kennel license revoked.
I did a google on Phelps, and boy, there are a lot of stories that are more descriptive than what D has written about. This sorry excuse for a rescuer should be shot. Don't make promises to people if your intentions are not true to what you have said. What a stupid stupid woman.
I feel just terrible about this, and hope that it does not give honest rescues a bad name.
I can see her point in not wanting to take on people aggresive Pit bulls, many pit bull rescues will not take them in.
That said. Taking money from people and then turning them into animal controll is NOT ethical and is definaltely fraud.
Emg, I have worked with many many rescues, and before any of the animals are released to a rescue, they are all temperment tested.
The fact that she is running a so called rescue for pit bulls, she should have someone on staff full time, who specializes in temperment testing. I have personally transported hundreds of pits, and yes, their stigma is still there, as I know transporters who will not walk and feed them during the transport; but, I have never had one with an attitude other than a "love me pet me kiss me" attitude.
Yes, if the dog is people agressive, with proper training, the dog might be rehabilitated. It might be people agressive because it has never been around people – including adults and children. I know a trainer who takes them in and works with them one on one to rehab them; then when they are ready to be rehomed, they go back to being posted with the rescue they came from.
What about all the Vick dogs? Everyone was told they were "agressive" – and look at the results of those babies.
I whole heartidly agree with what you are saying Susie. Temperment testing is the key. I'm talking about the ones that are truely people aggressive, not just the pitts but any breed. A lot of rescuers stay clear of them. Some have the resourses and volunteers to work with them. I say good for them, but may rescueers don't have that and luxery and are streached to the limit. As for the Vicks dogs? As you are probably most fighting pits are people friendly. Dog friendly No but people friendly Yes. The people aggresive ones have already been weed out my the skum that breeds them.
This person should have their license revoked. All animals want is love. If they are bred as fighting dogs, no matter what kind then that is all they know. If someone has the knowledge to test them and train them, I think you will find they can be loving animals. She sure has got a money making racket here. Making that kind of money and promising to adopt them out and then kill them is totally wrong in my book. Perhaps is she doesn't lose her license people can be made aware that they want proof that their dog has been adopted and if she can't provide proof than they have a lawsuit. After she has been sued many times, maybe she will just shut down on her own. She will certainly go broke. One way or another people need to get her. If the laws won't help, then set her up. Ask for proof of adoption.
Moe, very good idea to ask for proof of adoption.
Emg, your comment that rescues do not have staffers who can temperment test is correct to a point. But, if she is "rehoming" pittis, I think it is an essential part of being in pit rescue (or any bully breed for that matter) to have someone who is capable of temperment testing. I know that there are agressive dogs with any breed, it happens, just because of their upbringing, but if they are put up for adoption, they must be tested, not only for the safety of the adoptive family, but for rescue volunteers, and the rescue itself.
None the less, this woman is a dip, and should not be allowed to be involved with any animals ever again. I do not think she will be at Rainbow Bridge. She would be unwelcome.
Well now. I have to get going, but I intend to google this one as well before I comment (because, you all know I can get down and dirty), I will read up in this female. Good day to one and all..
I seen this on facebook & was just so sickened to know these people are getting away with doing this crap….she knows there faight already.this is totally for monatary gain.
You gotta be kidding me… she's just another white trash PB breeder. And if she thinks those "thousand rescued" babies didn't go to fighters than she IS as stupid as she looks.
It bothers me that some seem to think its only upbringing that causes a aggressive pit or any dog for that matter, I am currently seeking a home for a brindle pit we have had since a pup, shes has been treated great just like my other three dogs that I have never had a problem with. I had always been a pit advocate, and had used to always say the same, tell this pup. We noticed right away food aggression with the other dogs, and jealousy issues right away, she gets no less attention than the others but when you pet the others she pushes them out of the way and sits on them and at 6 months now has attacked my other two 15 lb dogs 5 times the last time causing real damage most days shes the sweetest dog in the world but with no notice she snaps. We have worked hard to train her but she is unpredictable. And I'm scared to send her to a new home cause unexpectedly she could snap on someone else's small dog or kid. For the person who stated how did they get a aggressive dog to them in the first place. Well dog aggression don't always mean foaming at the mouth, non stop barking and growling some times you have to spend a few days or weeks before you real see it. I love Pits, but for the safe being of my other dogs this one has to go, anyone know of a good rescue that can handle a small aggressive pit mix near Muary County TN. I would love the help.
Okay NOW the family is selling "BENGAL kittens" via ebay and oodle classifieds; ad says $30 adoption fee/when you call they say $50 down $50 when picked up; comes up as doo21675 user/615-457-1445 number;406 ezell pike, nashville tn 37217 wants Money Orders only-an kittens picked up by 4 wks. comes up under-rescue tnresqanrehoming wow. Some one-with KNOW HOW like a Under cover reporter-HINT HINT-should go in there w/ a video cam on their tie and SEE if the conditions are -adopting out or rescue or breeder? Property comes up as bought at $170,000 and re appraised at $35,000; yeah hard times and enslavement of animals to feed themselves or pay off (???)) please someone check on this! Its giving people whom love animals -do rescue and perhaps show or breed correctly a bad rap.
For a rescue shelter to have 261 dogs sent o their death is disgusting! I am sick thinking about the people that thought their animals would have a second chance to be adopted only to be killed! I hope this woman can sleep at night knowing she is a fraud. This makes me sad.
Candie……I'm so sorry to hear you got a bad apple in the pitty's. I hope andpray, as I am writing this, that your little female pitty came through andis now a loving member of your family. Hopefully, you got a professional trainer to help you in her aggresion training. You don't say how old that pup was when you got her, but she may have gone through something at her original home?
On this subject of the pitty rescue. DAMN this woman to hell!! In our little town here, I couldn't even count the amount of pitty's we have and not once, have I seen one single aggresive one…NOT ONCE! 261?? VERY EXTREME! I hope by now, (this was written in 2009), this she devil has had her just dues. "Sleep well, my pretty", as the wicked witch said……
I just rescued a bull terrier in the opryland area, and we were trying to find him a home without taking him to the shelter. This lady from nashville pet boarding contacted my wife saying we can take him, so we started doing some research and saw the post on news channel 5 and was startled, what kind of people can do that to dogs? No thank you we will keep him!!!
Ben, thank you for taking the time to do a bit of due diligence. Too often people don’t and poor animals can wound up in horrific predicaments. I hope things work out wonderfully for your new furry family member, best of luck!
~D.