FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THE POST
The Charitable Organization
Ms. Duncan appeared before Judge Judy.
She was the plaintiff in the case.
Ms. Duncan founded a charitable organization.
It was a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
The organization rescued Bulldogs.
It was named "My Dreams Bulldog Rescue."
Ms. Duncan started the incorporation in March 2017.
The 501(c)(3) status was issued in April 2017.
Judge Judy asked about the organization's mission statement.
Ms. Duncan did not have it with her.
She offered to explain it from her heart.
Judge Judy wanted to know what was stated to the government.
The judge asked about the intended purpose of the organization.
Ms. Duncan explained the mission.
It was to take in unwanted, dropped-off, and abused English Bulldogs.
The goal was to bring them into her rescue.
Fostering and Fundraising
Ms. Duncan clarified that "bring them into my rescue" meant bringing them into foster homes.
She stated she had fosters throughout Florida.
Judge Judy asked how she found foster homes.
Ms. Duncan explained she used Facebook.
She mentioned "bully nation," a community of bulldog enthusiasts.
This community often did fundraisers for causes.
Ms. Duncan stated the cause was rehabilitation, vetting, and re-homing of English Bulldogs.
Judge Judy asked how many dogs Ms. Duncan had in her own home.
Ms. Duncan said she had one dog.
She had only ever had one dog living with her for a year and a half.
She clarified she had many dogs overnight.
The judge understood that Ms. Duncan fostered the dogs out.
The Defendant's Accusations
The defendant posted an "angry review" on Facebook.
The post was titled "Scammer Exposed."
It appeared on a Bulldog Facebook page.
The defendant accused Ms. Duncan of several wrongdoings.
One accusation was "flipping dogs."
Another claim was that Ms. Duncan was fundraising 24/7.
The defendant also stated Ms. Duncan was on social security disability.
A significant accusation was that Ms. Duncan lived in a trailer.
The defendant claimed this trailer was remodeled and furnished with donations.
This implied misappropriation of funds.
The defendant also alleged that Ms. Duncan adopted out roughly 30 dogs without home visits.
Defining "Flipping Dogs"
Judge Judy questioned the meaning of "flipping dogs."
The defendant explained her understanding.
She said it meant adopting dogs out too quickly.
This implied insufficient vetting.
Judge Judy noted that quick adoptions could be a goal for rescues.
She mentioned dogs brought from places like Key West or Puerto Rico.
These dogs are often transported and adopted out as quickly as possible.
The judge stated that "flipping dogs" was a subjective term.
She acknowledged that in the defendant's industry, it might mean not taking enough time.
However, Judge Judy concluded that this was the defendant's opinion.
She stated Ms. Duncan could not sue for an opinion.
Fundraising and Disability
The defendant also criticized Ms. Duncan for fundraising 24/7.
Judge Judy dismissed this accusation.
She compared it to organizations like the American Red Cross.
The judge stated that fundraising 24/7 is not defamatory.
The defendant mentioned Ms. Duncan collected $800 a month in social security disability.
Judge Judy stated Ms. Duncan was allowed to do that.
The judge did not know the nature of Ms. Duncan's disability.
She reiterated that this was not a defamatory statement.
The Trailer Remodel Accusation
The defendant's post claimed Ms. Duncan's trailer was "remodeled and furnished with your donations."
Judge Judy identified this as a critical point.
She explained that this statement accused Ms. Duncan of misappropriating funds.
It implied using 501(c)(3) funds for personal benefit.
Judge Judy challenged the defendant to prove this accusation.
The defendant admitted she did not have proof.