Evidence of dogfighting found at South Side home

Evidence of dogfighting found at South Side home

YOUNGSTOWN — A suspected dogfighting operation was uncovered today after authorities were tipped off by one of the possible participants — a pit bull.

Dave Nelson, an assistant Mahoning County dog warden, said the dog is slightly malnourished.

“We’ll wait and see if somebody claims him. If they do, we’ll put them in jail. That’s the way it goes,” Nelson said.

Nelson explained that police were called to 143 W. Evergreen Ave. on the city’s South Side after the dog was spotted on a lower roof of the 2 1/2-story, wooden-frame structure. It had gotten onto the roof after breaking a second-floor screened window.

When Nelson arrived about 9 a.m., the dog had become aggressive and he tranquilized it with a dart. It went back inside through the window.

Once inside the vacant house, Nelson said, authorities found evidence of dog fighting, including chairs, bleach, mops and a brake stick used to pry open the jaws of the dogs during fights.

Carpeting was over many of the windows to muffle the noise of the fighting, he noted.

Also found were numerous spent shell casings, car and stereo parts and three identification cards that were turned over to police, he said.