Gay Dog Saved, Elton, Euthanasia Rescue [PHOTO]: Facebook Campaign Saves 'Gay Dog' After Homophobic Owner Left Pup for Dead

Elton, an American Bulldog/Pitt Bull mixed breed dog, was saved from euthanasia Yesterday (Jan. 31) in Tennessee after his owner turned him over to the shelter for being "gay." A Facebook campain on the Jackson Rabies Control Animal Center's page was quickly put into and, after two days, saved Elton from certain death. Upon hearing about this "gay dog on death row" through the campaign going viral, veterinary technician Stephanie Fryns stepped into the story and rescued the dog, then naming him Elton. Fryns already has four other dogs and is affiliated with the animal rescue group Woof Connections. 

The dog's former owner (who has not been identified, for obvious reasons) witnessed his dog mounting another male canine. Seemingly outraged, he turned the dog into the shelter claiming the animal was homosexual. Just to clear this subject up real quick, a male dog mounting another male dog is a sign of dominance and not an indication of sexual preference. Homosexual behaviour in animals is not unheard of, but it is much more likely that Elton was just asserting himself as a "top dog." But even if this homophobic man was right about his former pet, giving the dog up to a crowded animal shelter is an extremely cruel move on his part. Fortunately, there are plenty of people all over the world (and in this case, on the Internet) who know about animal behaviour.

Elton's Facebook campaign started on Wednesday with the above picture accompanied by the following caption: 

This guy was signed over to RC, not bc he's mean or bc he tears things up, but because... His owner says he's gay! He hunched another male dog so his owner threw him away bc he refuses to have a "gay" dog! Even if that weren't the most [asinine] thing I've ever heard, its still discrimination! Don't let this gorgeous dog die bc his owner is ignorant of normal dog behavior! He's in kennel 10L and he WILL be put down tomorrow bc there is no room at the inn! 

Soon afterwards, the picture and story went viral with over 1,000 "Likes," nearly 2,000 comments, and over 5,000 "Shares" over the social network. The Facebook comments demonstrated the outrage of the people following the story, which is a testament to why the issue was quickly cleared up. One of the commenter was Stephanie Fryns, who explained her intentions of saving the unfortunate dog. Once she obtained the animal, she updated the campaign with another comment about Elton's physical condition. He apparently had some reddening around his ears, which could have been signs of dog fighting but there is not enough evidence to prove this claim. Elton also seemed to really enjoy the car ride, according to Fryns.