Who is Nikki Phillippi? Influencer slammed for killing dog that bit son: 'Pray you don’t get another animal'
An online influencer who has more than one million subscribers on YouTube and more than 440,000 followers on Instagram has become the center of mass outrage after she announced she and her family had put their pet dog down.
She announced on YouTube and Instagram that she and her husband had made the decision after their bull terrier bit their son. Fans across social media were angry at the couple for not finding an alternative solution that kept the dog alive.
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Who is Nikki Phillippi?
The 33-year-old lifestyle blogger based in Nashville, Tennessee, broke the news about her dog Bowser McTrowsen on her social media platforms on Monday, May 3.
“McTrowsen, I’m so grateful for our time with you. You were a mini horse, a shark, a bear, a mouse, a dinosaur and Dans best friend all in one,” she wrote on Instagram. “You made me laugh... you made me cry... you destroyed our property... and you also kept it safe. lol You kept ME feeling safe... Bowser was the ultimate cuddle bug, but you wouldn’t necessarily know that if you just dropped by our house...he just acted crazy. Well.”
She wrote further: “Bowser had an aggressive side that reared it’s ugly head a few times over the years... and recently he bit Logan....after a lot of counsel, we decided it was time for Bowser to pass peacefully on. I know a lot of you will be shocked to hear this... my brain is still shocked.”
“McTrowsen has been part of our life and content HIS entire life...and for the last 9 years of our marriage,” she said. “We didn’t want to make this decision...as I’m sure you can imagine. I’m not kidding when I say this was one of the saddest days of my life. That being said, I’m so grateful we got to hold him and kiss him in our home while he passed...I will be uploading a video tonight with more of the story if you want to know....We will miss you forever Bowser.”
Shortly after, Nikki and her husband Dan posted a 24-minute explanation video on YouTube, claiming that the decision to put the dog to sleep came after he bit their young child Logan. "This was not a decision we came to lightly," she said, adding that she anticipated a strong fan reaction to their choice. Dan said that there were other instances of aggressive behavior towards other dogs, including their other pet Zoey.
"Bowser got Logan in the face," Dan said. "Obviously it wasn't bad, but he's still healing up from a little mark on his face... In the moment, I'm thinking, you know, I grew up with the movie ‘Old Yeller’, and I wanted to pick Bowser up by the back of the neck and take him into the backyard and put him down right there.”
The couple also disabled comments on the YouTube video. But on Instagram, they still received backlash. “So you knew about the aggression issues before a child was brought into the home? What were you guys thinking . Clearly not about the dog or child just money, clicks and views. So sick now the child is bit and the dog is dead. Way to go. Hope you make lots of money!!!! I pray you don’t get another animal,” said an Instagram user.
Another user said in the comments, “The grossest part to me is the photo shoot before having the dog put down. Glad you weren’t too distraught to produce some content first!” One Instagram user said, “Not sure what is more upsetting to me... the fact that you killed your dog instead of training him, re-homing him or creating boundaries with your small child likely being all over him… OR The fact that you are dangling a carrot like this to upset people and then using it to MONETIZE your YouTube video. Very sad and very disappointing from a long time viewer.”