Fact Check: Did Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed run a dog slaughterhouse in Detroit?
DETROIT, MICHIGAN: Following Dr Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in the Michigan Democratic Senate Primary, a rumor began circulating against him on social media platforms claiming that he oversaw a dog slaughterhouse. The claim has sparked widespread criticism and outrage, while a few called for verification of the rumor, prompting a fact-check.
Claim: Abdul El-Sayed oversaw a dog slaughterhouse
Days after winning the Michigan Democratic Senate Primary, an allegation surfaced online questioning his tenure as head of Detroit’s health department, which was under the supervision of Detroit Animal Control.
Social media claims that El-Sayed was in charge of a dog slaughterhouse there and oversaw the euthanasia of many of the city's shelter dogs.
A widely posted meme stated, “Abdulrahman El-Sayed got EXPOSED for the dog slaughterhouse he ran as Detroit's Director of Health, where they killed 74% of all dogs in their 'care'. MAGA Mike Rogers' odds of winning are SURGING!”
The claim was even reported by the Daily Mail and was shared by prominent Republicans, including Laura Loomer.
Fact Check: False, the complaints surfaced before Abdul El-Sayed took charge
The claim, however, is false, as evidence shows that the allegations are loosely based on conditions at the shelter before El-Sayed took charge of Detroit Animal Control when the complaints first surfaced.
El-Sayed inherited the shelter’s issues when animal control was moved from the control of the police department to the health department in 2015, when he was appointed as the executive director of the city's health department.
The accusations about the poor treatment of dogs were public even before El-Sayed's appointment.
In June 2015, thousands signed a petition to shut down animal control over the allegation that it euthanized 95% of the animals it collected.
Donald Trump attacks Abdul El-Sayed
Following El-Sayed's victory, President Donald Trump attacked him in a series of speeches in Las Vegas.
"When I watch Abdul, he's full of s**t," the president said. "Put him in office, you're going to find out what he loves. He doesn't love Israel. He doesn't love Jewish people. He hates them. He hates them with a passion that burns in his heart.”
He later continued his rant on a Truth Social post, stating, “Wayne County (Detroit) in Michigan is one of the most corrupt voting areas in the United States, if not the World. It is strictly Third World! Miracles happen in Wayne County, including more votes being cast than there are voters, by a lot.”
