CHESTER COUNTY, SC (WBTV) - Internet rumors of a mass-killing deadline at a Chester County Animal Shelter sparked anger around the Carolinas, along with help for an overcrowded shelter.
Christine Brown with K-9 life savers was on a mission to save as many dogs as she could Monday from the Chester Animal Shelter.
"I have 10 to 12 dogs so far," said Brown
Brown drove all the way to Chester from Tennessee Monday morning after her rescue group saw an email sent across Facebook and to several news outlets saying starting Monday every dog and cat in the Chester Animal Shelter would be put to sleep.
Sheriff Richard Smith was very clear when he put that rumor to rest on Monday.
"As far as us putting down a bunch of animals - that's just rumors, false rumors at that," said Smith.
Mary Anne Tolbert is the supervisor of the Animal Shelter, she says the rouge email did get one thing right.
"We are over capacity and we do have more animals than what we do need," said Tolbert.
The shelter's capacity is 65, workers can push that number to almost 80 if they have to. As of Monday morning, the shelter had nearly 100 dogs and Tolbert says that number is constantly growing.
"Some days, we may get two or three dogs and some days we'll get 20," said Tolbert.
She says on a good day the shelter will adopt out maybe three animals per day.
By noon Monday, three rescue groups had already come to the shelter and taken around 30 dogs. Tolbert expects more groups to come this week.
In all the years she's been rescuing dogs, Brown says she's seen shelters way worse than the one in Chester.
"It's not the dogs fault. They're here and if people would start spaying and neutering their dogs we wouldn't be having this," said Brown.
However, the bad rumors did get here her to save lives today.
If you would like to rescue a dog or cat of your own from the Chester Animal Shelter you can call them at 803-385-6341 or email Tolbert at mtolbert@chesterso.com
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