Authorities check backyard dog cemetery

YOUNGSTOWN — City police, humane agents and the Mahoning County dog warden’s office responded to an Oakwood Avenue house, after a neighbor reported dogs being buried in the backyard.

John Hall, humane agent with Animal Charity, said the woman who lives at the home was taken to a hospital for observation. Officials found one dog buried in the backyard and 15 to 20 more holes where other animals may have been buried, Hall said.

The woman gave consent to the officers to enter the home. She told them that she had 14 dogs inside and that they are vicious. Hall said they saw two or three dogs inside with overgrown toenails and fleas.

Hall said that the agency is trying to contact relatives of the woman to take the dogs.

The house at 1810 Oakwood was red-tagged, meaning it’s uninhabitable.

City zoning and housing officials also were at the scene.

No charges have been filed.