I could, of course, write generic blog posts - I have 4 or 5 drafts partially finished that could be wrapped up in a half hour or so, something to pass the time and fill the space, but I would rather keep with the trend, and write more about the Flat Creek Border Collies. However, no new information about them, so why not take a look at Eric Bellows, the man who started it all?
Now, let's have a look at Rescue Ink. The entire organization seems to have dissolved when Eric left to run Pack Ethic. All of the dogs were signed over to Eric. The Rescue Ink Foundation was closed, however Rescue Ink Inc continues to be run to this day. You'll have to forgive all of the past tense, as it took me a while to find out exactly what was going on, and I'm not going back to change it.
According to this blog, Rescue Ink wasn't all that great. It seems that there was much shady dealing with Rescue Ink, including failing to dissolve when voted on as such by the board members, misuse of funds, collecting funds after becoming a for profit organization, and much more. Now, much of these claims come from blogs, so it is hard to verify the information. Much of it is outdated, with broken links. I do encourage everyone to read ALL BLOGS as opinion based, rather than fact, if credible links are not provided for reference.
But, from what I've read thus far... things were not golden in rescue land. Allegations flew, people did or did not do this that or the other wrong thing, people were getting perks when they should not, and money meant to help the animals was lining the pockets of those involved. Feel free to read the link, I will not be copying it here, as I said, no verification.
Now, Behind the Ink continues, in Part 2. Here, we encounter some more links. Here, we find the press release that shows that The Rescue Ink Foundation was officially dissolved and closed. They then became Rescue Ink Inc, who has a 501c3 charity number(I didn't look into if it was real or not). The renaming of the organization seemed to have something to do with a dispute between Pack Ethic and Rescue Ink, over fundraiser money. In July of 2011, Rescue Ink was contracted by a city to open an animal shelter, much to the dismay of the town's people.
November, 2011, seems to bring us some controversy over a charity event hosted by another rescue group. It seems like it would have been well organized, however people seem to have come to the conclusion it was part of Rescue Ink. Joseph Panzarella, one of the founding members of Rescue Ink, went personally to each shop, making sure they were completely aware that he was not affiliated at all with the rescue holding the event, which included a Bike Ride.
I can see why he might be a bit angry that people were making the association, but did he personally have to go into each place? Could he not have simply said "No, I'm not affiliated with that group, but good for her raising money to help these animals" or researched the group and voiced his opinion while ensuring people were aware? I don't get rescues hurting rescues like this. Unfortunately, the outcome of this was a poorly attended fundraiser, with most of the donors dropping out.
Don't worry, though. The dog, who was on death row at a shelter after being picked up as a stray by Animal Control, was saved and put into a foster home. However, the rescue group claims to have gotten hate mail, because they were painting all hunters who hunt with dogs in a bad light. Shame on those people, who were actually sending the death threats(I could find no visual proof of the death threats.) I do not appreciate that behaviour towards me, or towards anyone at all. But that's an opinion for a different blog post.
The dog was moved to a different location, a statement was made saying that this was not the normal way for people who hunted with dogs to mark their dogs, and the dog seemed to fall off the face of the earth. I am sure she is somewhere, I am not suggesting that she was put to sleep, but there is simply no further information available to me. I can't even find the name of the rescue that she went through. I would like to know if that dog was permanently marked with 500 across her side, or if it grew out and was only temporary.
In May, 2012, the rescue group again stuck their finger in someone else's pie... A horrible act occurred in a feral cat colony. Although the feral cats were being allowed to breed, there are better ways to deal with things than what these people did. The rescue organization working on the case had a reward going of $7,000 for information in the case. Rescue Ink put out their own reward flyer, offering $2,000. I don't know if Rescue Ink was unaware there already was a reward, or if they intended to take the information to claim the larger reward. I could find no information about the resolution of this event.
In September 2012, they made the news again, participating in an event with controversial dog trainer Brad Pattison, from At The End Of My Leash/In The Doghouse, another now cancelled dog related show. Not an educated move, appearing in an event with someone who is so hated.
There could be more. Honestly, I've stopped looking for information on Rescue Ink at this point. I have enough information that I know I do not like them.
In October, 2011, Eric caused mass hysteria on Facebook, by posting a photo of food with nails in it, and claiming it to be confirmed that people were putting these nail-food chunks in dog parks around the USA. I don't know if this was intentional, or unintentional, however the photo was given a different description after someone called him out on the false information.
I found that at one point, in 2012, Eric suffered a fall, which left him needing surgery, and questions were raised on a forum regarding his ability to care for the dogs. We can say at this point that obviously things were fine, though I don't know if he downsized at all due to this injury, or if he had or has continued support from volunteers.
And then, of course, the outcry that brought Mr Bellows to my attention - the Flat Creek Border Collies. He rallied the masses, and it is unknown if he anticipated this kind of reaction. I didn't see him doing much in the way of trying to quell the uprising. I didn't see him telling people that death threats were not okay, that people should not steal the dogs or break the law. I would like to believe the best in him, and think that he was truly ignorant to what his announcement would create. However from comments made by him elsewhere, and his known record of using social media to cause public outrage, I don't believe this to be true. I think he knew full well that some of his supporters were savage enough to threaten to steal the dogs, harm or kill the breeders, set fire. I think he knew that those sorts of people would send mean and harassing letters to officials, demanding something be done. In my mind, that's not okay. He may not have sent those death threats himself, he may not have sullied his fingers, but I don't think he is so dumb and ignorant that he didn't realize what he was doing. There is never anything okay about threatening death or to harm people. There is never any reason to speak like that to a fellow human, regardless if you like them or hate them.
When I started this post, I thought that it would be very much exposing Eric Bellows, however, as you can see, he seems to have left Rescue Ink before all of the bad things went down. As far as it goes, I'm not bitter or angry that the direction my post went changes, but I still have some questions for Mr. Bellows. I highly doubt he will respond to these questions, but I definitely won't get an answer if I don't put them out there!
Dear Mr. Bellows,
I thank you greatly for taking the time to read this. I write a blog, which was supposed to be rabbit based, however has had a more canine feel to it the past few days. I began working on an expose of you, due to your involvement in the Flat Creek Border Collie case. I am happy to say that all of the negative things I found about Rescue Ink seem to have happened after your leaving them! Good for you, that was a great choice, leaving before everything blew up like that. I did find the sad news that you had injured yourself, and hope that in the time since then, you've been able to get yourself fixed up, and are feeling better.
Even though I found very little information about you, good or bad, I did find the disturbing incident of your causing mass hysteria through social media. You know, when you posted a photo of food with nails in it, and said that it was confirmed cases? That kind of made me a bit wary of you. Especially since you did the same thing with the Flat Creek Border Collies case, stirring up the people and unleashing them. Did you realize that people would react as they did to either of your posts? I don't think you are so ignorant and dumb to have not realized that your posts would stir up everyone, including those who think it is okay to threaten humans, and those who think that "for the animals" is a proper excuse for breaking the law.
I did have some questions for you, concerning your operation. I hope you can find the time to answer them, and possibly my questions about your intent in posting two controversial photos.
How many dogs do you have at your location? In foster care?
Do you have staff or volunteers to help you in the care of the dogs? This was unclear on your page or website.
Do you have a job other than "animal rescue"?
May I see your financial records/statements? As you are a 501c3, I believe I am entitled to request that information.
Do any of the dogs spend more than 8 consecutive hours in a cage or kennel?
Are all of the dogs spayed and neutered?
Do you now, or have you ever, bred dogs?
Do you care to respond to this advertisement, which is alleged to belong to you?
Thank you very much.
Research Links
Eric Bellows(via Facebook)
Eric Pack Ethic Bellows(via facebook)
Pack Ethic Website
Behind The Ink Part 1(blog via The Examiner)
Behind The Ink Part 2(blog via the Examiner)
Press Release(Rescue Ink Dissolved - June 17, 2011)
Eric Bellows Facebook Post(concerning Rescue Ink)
News Article - Long Beach Patch
This Facebook Page looks interesting, however I don't think I directly used any information from it.
Please note that this is not a complete list of all the pages that I have linked and used for research.