Dog wardens collect stray pit bulls

In five days, 13 pit bull dogs were rounded up in the city.

By PATRICIA MEADE

VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER

YOUNGSTOWN — A municipal judge once prohibited Jamie Harris from possessing animals, based on inhumane treatment of a pit bull dog.

The prohibition, though, lasted for one year, the length of Harris’ probation that began in December 2000. Harris, 27, who lived on Jacobs Road at the time, was convicted of cruelty to animals and improper confinement of a dangerous or vicious dog, a pit bull, records show.

Now, Harris, of 29 N. Truesdale Ave., is charged with two counts of failure to register pit bulls. He was arraigned in municipal court on Thursday and a pretrial was set for Nov. 2.

A deputy dog warden removed one starving tan and white pit bull from Harris’ backyard on Monday and returned Wednesday to take the second black and white pit bull that had been inside the house.

Mahoning County Dog Warden Mike Fox said Friday that Harris voluntarily gave up the second dog and both animals were euthanized at his request. Fox said pit bulls are not placed up for adoption at the dog pound.

“He just wanted to be done with it,” Fox said of Harris’ decision. “Every dog should have a home but not every home should have a dog.”

Step up to the plate

John Hall, Animal Charity humane investigator, said no animal cruelty charge was filed against Harris for the emaciated pit bull because Harris claimed he’d only just acquired the dog and was trying to rehabilitate the animal.

Hall said if a neighbor would come forward to dispute Harris’ claim, a charge could be filed.

“I have up to one year to file the animal cruelty charge, even if the dog is dead,” Hall added. “I wish people would get involved — we’d get a lot more done.”

A city ordinance that took effect Sept. 15 bans pit bull dogs not previously licensed, insured and properly confined. Dave Nelson, a deputy dog warden, said some pit bulls are being turned loose or dumped because of the new ordinance.

The owner of a pit bull discovered in the basement of a house on East Warren Avenue on Tuesday when deputy dog wardens and police checked out complaints of dog fighting was signed over to the dog warden’s office on Thursday. That animal also was euthanized, Fox said.

From Monday through Friday afternoon, an additional 10 stray pit bull dogs were collected by deputy dog wardens in the city. Five have been euthanized and the remaining five are expected to be humanely put to death next week unless the owners step forward to claim them, Fox said.

“If the owners can show the dogs were registered prior to the 15th, I would cite the owners for failure to confine, but if not licensed, then I would want the city prosecutor’s opinion in lieu of the ordinance,” Fox said.

meade@vindy.com