Deputy dog warden attacked, kills pit bull

YOUNGSTOWN — A Mahoning County deputy dog warden investigating a complaint of two loose pit bull dogs in the 1200 block of Dale Street told police he was attacked by the dogs and shot one dead Sunday afternoon.

Sean Toohey told police the dogs charged, and he tried hitting them with the pole of a dog noose but it had little effect. He radioed police for help but his call was not discernible.

Toohey said he fired two bullets into a large brown pit bull who had latched onto him and began ripping his shirt and jacket. He shot at the second dog but the tan and white animal ran off and was not found after the attack.

“I can’t explain why it’s like this the last couple weeks so many dogs running loose,” Toohey said today. Toohey, who is also a deputy sheriff, said luckily he had his pistol with him.