Shelly Froehlich is trying to do the right thing, but the nutters are trying to stop her

ARIZONA -- The same animal rights activists who fought to save a pit bull named Mickey, after it mauled a child, are now trying to save another dog with a troubling past.

Rambo, a one-year-old Rottweiler, arrived at Rotten Rottie Rescue in Gilbert, Ariz., a month ago.

Prior to arrival, Rambo reportedly bit two people. In his month at the rescue, the rescue's owner says Rambo has attacked at least four more people, including people who have tried to adopt him.

"And none of it was provoked," Shelly Froehlich, who runs the rescue, told 3TV.

"Some of the bites have gone down to the bone. He's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," she said.

Following the sixth alleged attack, Froehlich decided she wanted to euthanize Rambo.

"It's not an easy decision, but I think some dogs are wired wrong, like people, and have mental illnesses like we do," she explained.

Animal rights activists learned of her plans, and launched a social media protest. A "Save Rambo Now" Facebook page garnered thousands of "likes" in one week. Another page has been created to raise money to rehabilitate Rambo with a special trainer.

Followers of the pages have attacked Froehlich, criticizing her for taking steps to put down one of her rescue dogs. They insist Froehlich put the young dog in unstable situations, which led him to lash out.

Members of the group say dogs like Rambo can and should be rehabilitated. Several have offered to take him, and adopt him. Froehlich is refusing to allow an adoption at this point, fearing another attack.

"I don't want to take a chance that a child's going to get its face ripped off," she said.

Her decisions have enraged animal rights groups, who remain focused on saving the dog.

"I've received tons of messages and emails. They called the police on me. I have thousands of people trying to put me out of business because of this," she said.

Froehlich says she has euthanized three dogs in the last two years.

"The money I'd use to rehab Rambo could be used to help a lot of other dogs," Froehlich said.

A compromise plan fell apart Monday night. Froehlich found a trainer in North Carolina who said he could rehab Rambo. Another woman who wanted to adopt the dog was going to pay for his travel.

The deal fell through, because the trainer said his schedule is booked.

For now, Rambo remains in a pen with a large, air-conditioned dog house. His future is up in the air.

(AZFamily - Apr 21, 2014)