Possible dogfighting probed

YOUNGSTOWN — A suspected dogfighting operation was uncovered Friday 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. after the dog was spotted on a lower roof of a 21⁄2-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. Nelson tranquilized it with a dart. It went back inside through the window.

Once inside the vacant house, Nelson said, authorities found evidence of dogfighting, 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.