The owner of a Thai restaurant in Fresno, California says he’s been forced to temporarily close following vicious and false rumors that he served dog meat, reports Your Central Valley.
David Rasavong of the Tasty Thai says the accusations first appeared on social media, but despite his denial, they appeared over and over again.
“These types of disgusting allegations, especially a stereotype, this Asian stereotype that I really can’t believe still exists,” said Rasavong to ABC30. “It’s hard for me to fathom that it still exists in this day and age.”
Rasavong eventually traced the rumor to a video of a dog tied up without water to a house next door.
“Do not eat here!! This place steals dogs and eats them!!” said one review seen by Your Central Valley.
Rasavong took to Facebook to address the accusations, saying he doesn’t know who owns the house next to him and said the homeowners have nothing to do with his restaurant.
“I hope the truth will come out and people will actually use common sense before coming out there and trying to cause harm to innocent people,” he said on Facebook.
ABC30 tracked down the person who posted the video, Maria Alvarez Garcia.
“When I saw that, yeah, I got pretty upset because it was cruel and inhumane the way that dog was,” said Alvarez Garcia. She acknowledged making comments on Facebook that the Tasty Thai was responsible for the dog.
She has since posted a second video asking people not to attack the restaurant and to focus on the dog instead.
“Now we’re requesting demanding an investigation,” said Alvarez Garcia. “We’re demanding to make sure that the dogs are okay and it’s falling on deaf ears, just like the other accusations, just like the other reports.”
As of this morning, the restaurant remains closed for the time being.
Fresno police have since investigated the claims and said it found no evidence of dog abuse.
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