100 Lone Pine Trail
Lapeer, MI 48446
501(c)(3) Non-Profit Charitable Organization
EIN: 90-0686438
Core & Origins of Detroit Bully Corps
Detroit Bully Corps is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. We rescue and rehabilitate the American Pit Bull Terrier and related breeds. Taking the fight to the streets and media. Changing the opinion of the breed through public outreach & education. We are NOT a fast-lane organization. Our true dedication is to the canines we protect. We are dedicated to taking care of the canines in the metro Detroit area. Countering the closed-minded and well-edited media clips we all see on the evening news. We like to deliver the WHOLE story, expose the real monsters: humans fighting, neglecting and abusing dogs. The amount of abuse and torture this breed endures, only to lick you in the face...
We at Detroit Bully Corps are not just trying to rehabilitate individual canines. We are also trying to do our part to rehabilitate the overall integrity of the American Pit Bull Terrier strain of canine. Our ultimate goal is to see the American Pit Bull Terrier rise above the negative stigma and once again be the “All American Dog”…
We offer workshops on proper rescue and rehabilitation. We plan to network, share experiences and strengthen spay/neuter programs. We offer youth-based workshops and education. We are very involved in BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) education and solutions. We offer training workshops for private owners and rescue groups. We offer Bully Breed education (history, purpose and ownership).
A BRIEF LOOK AT OUR IDEOLOGY: Where rescue ends & rehabilitation begins...
Decompressing a rescued canine: Rescue ends the moment an animal is secured from an adverse situation. This is critical, now begins rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is the process by which an animal is assessed and we start to build character and behavior. Assess the current behaviors, calculate the best possible parameters for effective decompression. Decompression is a time period where an animal is given stable one-on-one treatment. Dogs in the decompression period are not introduced to other animals and only worked with by a single selected human.
Decompression is important to give the animal time to stabilize. Health is assessed and behaviors are observed. This period also allows for objective and safe observation as the animal evolves. We are looking for "core " behavior and temperament.
Things prescribed in the decompression period:
- Hand feeding for leadership
- Basic leash and crate exercises
- Observing what the canine will "offer"
- Basic canine behaviors (aggressive, resource guarding, cognitive development, etc.)
- Daily work on an individualized level
After completing decompression, a plan is developed and the canine is introduced to a main population regimen. A brief look at some of our philosophy, policy and protocol...
Detroit Bully Corps Philosophy
We are a rescue that specializes in the rehabilitation of American Pit Bull Terriers. We accept any variation of the Bull Dog and/or Molosser strains. We use words like “Bull & Terrier”, “Bulldog”, “Game Bred”, “Working Lines” and “Traditional” to describe the American Pit Bull Terrier. We base our standard off a very old-time traditional sense of the breed, the same standard that the pioneers of the breed set forth. There is much confusion as to what an American pit Bull Terrier is these days. So we follow the pioneers, the “Smiths” of the breed, as it were. We follow a standard that allows an APBT to be what it was intended to be, a hardworking, intelligent, versatile, loyal, spirited breed. Although we do not encourage, nor do we support blood sport in any capacity, we do appreciate the drive of a game dog. The same drive that will allow a dog to fight through exhaustion and relentlessly oppose pain for hours, makes a great weight-pull, agility or OBD canine.
Some say the breed was developed purely as the ultimate gladiator of the canine world, pound for pound the perfect fighting machine. We SMASH that stereotype daily! As anyone in the realm of breeding, rescue, humane work, competitive events, we have a standard. A canine should possess "teachability", and stable, predictable behavior. It should at least be neutral with another canine. We do not expect every canine to get along with all dogs. We do however expect a canine to follow our leadership. A canine should and can at least be neutral and seek the leadership of its handler. We have very knowledgeable people with many collective years of experience that we are devout to. These philosophies were cultivated and nurtured for many years. We have found a traditional and realistic balance of what makes a stable and adoptable canine.
Another aspect of our adoption standard is “The Adopter". Most canine owners are looking for a mid-level pack dog, easily able to be blended into a home setting. We base our adoptable canines to this percentage philosophy. The adopter will be doing 85% of what brings the dog success by time the canine is loaded into their car, 75% within a week of having the canine in their home. 65%-50% within a month. Knowing that, we as responsible rescuers must present the best of the standard we have developed. We cannot and will not adopt out a potentially dangerous dog that has exhibited unpredictable behavior or a canine that possesses a definitive will to attack other canines at will. Nor can we adopt out a canine that will not yield to a human handler or demonstrate a willingness to become teachable. If we expect private owners and breeders to be responsible, then we as a rescue group better do the same.
Sincerely,
William J. Bellottie
Director of Operations & Co-Founder of Detroit Bully Corps
Detroit Bully Corps is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. We rescue and rehabilitate the American Pit Bull Terrier and related breeds. Taking the fight to the streets and media. Changing the opinion of the breed through public outreach & education. We are NOT a fast-lane organization. Our true dedication is to the canines we protect. We are dedicated to taking care of the canines in the metro Detroit area. Countering the closed-minded and well-edited media clips we all see on the evening news. We like to deliver the WHOLE story, expose the real monsters: humans fighting, neglecting and abusing dogs. The amount of abuse and torture this breed endures, only to lick you in the face...
We at Detroit Bully Corps are not just trying to rehabilitate individual canines. We are also trying to do our part to rehabilitate the overall integrity of the American Pit Bull Terrier strain of canine. Our ultimate goal is to see the American Pit Bull Terrier rise above the negative stigma and once again be the “All American Dog”…
We offer workshops on proper rescue and rehabilitation. We plan to network, share experiences and strengthen spay/neuter programs. We offer youth-based workshops and education. We are very involved in BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) education and solutions. We offer training workshops for private owners and rescue groups. We offer Bully Breed education (history, purpose and ownership).
A BRIEF LOOK AT OUR IDEOLOGY: Where rescue ends & rehabilitation begins...
Decompressing a rescued canine: Rescue ends the moment an animal is secured from an adverse situation. This is critical, now begins rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is the process by which an animal is assessed and we start to build character and behavior. Assess the current behaviors, calculate the best possible parameters for effective decompression. Decompression is a time period where an animal is given stable one-on-one treatment. Dogs in the decompression period are not introduced to other animals and only worked with by a single selected human.
Decompression is important to give the animal time to stabilize. Health is assessed and behaviors are observed. This period also allows for objective and safe observation as the animal evolves. We are looking for "core " behavior and temperament.
Things prescribed in the decompression period:
- Hand feeding for leadership
- Basic leash and crate exercises
- Observing what the canine will "offer"
- Basic canine behaviors (aggressive, resource guarding, cognitive development, etc.)
- Daily work on an individualized level
After completing decompression, a plan is developed and the canine is introduced to a main population regimen. A brief look at some of our philosophy, policy and protocol...
Detroit Bully Corps Philosophy
We are a rescue that specializes in the rehabilitation of American Pit Bull Terriers. We accept any variation of the Bull Dog and/or Molosser strains. We use words like “Bull & Terrier”, “Bulldog”, “Game Bred”, “Working Lines” and “Traditional” to describe the American Pit Bull Terrier. We base our standard off a very old-time traditional sense of the breed, the same standard that the pioneers of the breed set forth. There is much confusion as to what an American pit Bull Terrier is these days. So we follow the pioneers, the “Smiths” of the breed, as it were. We follow a standard that allows an APBT to be what it was intended to be, a hardworking, intelligent, versatile, loyal, spirited breed. Although we do not encourage, nor do we support blood sport in any capacity, we do appreciate the drive of a game dog. The same drive that will allow a dog to fight through exhaustion and relentlessly oppose pain for hours, makes a great weight-pull, agility or OBD canine.
Some say the breed was developed purely as the ultimate gladiator of the canine world, pound for pound the perfect fighting machine. We SMASH that stereotype daily! As anyone in the realm of breeding, rescue, humane work, competitive events, we have a standard. A canine should possess "teachability", and stable, predictable behavior. It should at least be neutral with another canine. We do not expect every canine to get along with all dogs. We do however expect a canine to follow our leadership. A canine should and can at least be neutral and seek the leadership of its handler. We have very knowledgeable people with many collective years of experience that we are devout to. These philosophies were cultivated and nurtured for many years. We have found a traditional and realistic balance of what makes a stable and adoptable canine.
Another aspect of our adoption standard is “The Adopter". Most canine owners are looking for a mid-level pack dog, easily able to be blended into a home setting. We base our adoptable canines to this percentage philosophy. The adopter will be doing 85% of what brings the dog success by time the canine is loaded into their car, 75% within a week of having the canine in their home. 65%-50% within a month. Knowing that, we as responsible rescuers must present the best of the standard we have developed. We cannot and will not adopt out a potentially dangerous dog that has exhibited unpredictable behavior or a canine that possesses a definitive will to attack other canines at will. Nor can we adopt out a canine that will not yield to a human handler or demonstrate a willingness to become teachable. If we expect private owners and breeders to be responsible, then we as a rescue group better do the same.
Sincerely,
William J. Bellottie
Director of Operations & Co-Founder of Detroit Bully Corps
Our Mission
The foundation of our program is education. Without education on spay/neuter, breed specific legislation (BSL), training, breed specific workshops, the dog fighting culture and responsible ownership, the epidemic will never end. Rescue is a mere bandage in the overall scale of the canine epidemic. Shelters are overrun, rescues are overflowing and society is in need of education. For every one spot we fill in our program, we turn away 50. We average 20-25 canines at any given time and 90% of our rescue population is comprised of the American Pit Bull Terrier. We work with canines from any and every background, whether it be a surrendered family pet, bait dog, seasoned fighter or the abused. We are a no-kill rescue/rehabilitation in that we will never euthanize for space. We, as a moral, ethical and objective organization, will NOT adopt out a canine that is a threat to society. We are advocates of the American Pit Bull Terrier, as such we will not add to the epidemic by being irresponsible.
The foundation of our program is education. Without education on spay/neuter, breed specific legislation (BSL), training, breed specific workshops, the dog fighting culture and responsible ownership, the epidemic will never end. Rescue is a mere bandage in the overall scale of the canine epidemic. Shelters are overrun, rescues are overflowing and society is in need of education. For every one spot we fill in our program, we turn away 50. We average 20-25 canines at any given time and 90% of our rescue population is comprised of the American Pit Bull Terrier. We work with canines from any and every background, whether it be a surrendered family pet, bait dog, seasoned fighter or the abused. We are a no-kill rescue/rehabilitation in that we will never euthanize for space. We, as a moral, ethical and objective organization, will NOT adopt out a canine that is a threat to society. We are advocates of the American Pit Bull Terrier, as such we will not add to the epidemic by being irresponsible.
Board of Directors
William J. Bellottie, President, dbcoperations@gmail.com
Missi Bellottie, Vice President, detroitbullycorps@gmail.com
Kimberly Thon, Secretary
Nora Stiver, Treasurer
Laurie Horn, Adoption Counselor, dbc.adoptions@gmail.com
Michelle Spranger, Community Relations, dbcdogs@gmail.com
Shay Reilly, Social Media
We are full and cannot accept any new dogs at this time.
William J. Bellottie, President, dbcoperations@gmail.com
Missi Bellottie, Vice President, detroitbullycorps@gmail.com
Kimberly Thon, Secretary
Nora Stiver, Treasurer
Laurie Horn, Adoption Counselor, dbc.adoptions@gmail.com
Michelle Spranger, Community Relations, dbcdogs@gmail.com
Shay Reilly, Social Media
We are full and cannot accept any new dogs at this time.
We are a private facility licensed by the state of Michigan. All visits are by appointment only.
We are unable to accept any new dogs into our program at this time.
