Animal cruelty among charges in drug raid

Six kids, including 2-year-old twin girls, were inside when police hit the door.

YOUNGSTOWN — Six cold and wet pit bull puppies huddled in the corner of a flooded basement and covered with feces were taken by a deputy dog warden after a drug raid at 539 W. Princeton Ave.

The puppies’ mother, sitting on basement steps to stay out of 2 inches of water from a leaky pipe, was also removed by Deputy Dog Warden Dave Nelson. Patrolman Chad Zubal took photos of the puppies in their corner before they were taken to the Mahoning County dog pound late Tuesday afternoon.

Vice squad officers who knocked and announced, “Youngstown police, search warrant!” said they got no response but did hear people running around on the first floor. Police then pried open the side storm door and rammed the inner door to enter, damaging the doors and frame.

Six children — four girls, 15, 8, and 2-year-old twins; and two boys, 9 and 7 — were inside the house along with two adults.

The resident, Teanisha S. Mitchell, 29, was charged with possession of dangerous drugs and served with four old warrants for failure to appear in municipal court on charges of criminal damaging (2004); criminal trespassing (2005); falsification (2006); and driving under suspension (2006). She was video-arraigned Wednesday, and bond was set at $13,500. She will be back in court Jan. 2 for pretrial hearings.

Jai B. Price Sr., 32, of Norwood Avenue was issued a citation charging him with animal cruelty. He failed to show for arraignment, and a warrant was issued. In August, Price pleaded guilty in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to possession of cocaine. He was placed on two years’ probation Sept. 21.

The police report does not mention what happened with the children.

When Zubal asked about the puppies during the drug raid, Price, according to reports, said: “I just checked on them a couple of days ago” and “I don’t get down there as much as I should; I don’t live here — I just keep my dogs here.”

Seized during the drug raid were 46 pills — 21 Tramadol (painkiller) and 25 not identified — $467, a bottle of Tussionex (narcotic cough suppressant), 10 shotgun shells, shotgun, rifle, assorted ammo and digital scale, reports show.

Records show warrants were issued out of Mahoning County Area Court in Boardman in January and March for Mitchell, who failed to appear for arraignment on a traffic charge — driving on license that was canceled for failure to have insurance.