Neighbors in dispute over dog shooting

Neighbors in dispute over dog shooting

YOUNGSTOWN — Firefighter Corey Brown said his neighbor’s loose dog was hit with a baseball bat and shot — but not by him.

As of today, no charges had been filed in municipal court related to the dog’s injuries, said city Prosecutor Jay Macejko. He said he was unaware if an investigation had begun.

Fire Chief John J. O’Neill Jr. said he instructed Brown to talk to the prosecutor. The chief said he’ll take no action until things are sorted out.

“I never touched any of the dogs. My 15-year-old [step] son hit the dog with a baseball bat, and the dog was shot by my brother Chris,” Brown said Tuesday. “There were 3- and 5-year-olds playing in my yard on Saturday. Both dogs came into the front yard.”

Brown, who lives on Aberdeen Avenue, said his stepson and brother, who has a concealed-carry license for his firearm, acted to protect the children. The sheriff’s department confirmed the license.

Brown said he wasn’t home when the dog was injured but was delivering food baskets Saturday for a catering business in Boardman. “My brother said he didn’t want to kill the dog; he said he had his 3-year-old son in his arms, and the dog charged,” Brown said. “My wife called the dog warden Saturday when the dogs were climbing the fence, and I called.”

The Mahoning County dog warden’s office has a recording of Brown’s call from Saturday, police said. The message states that if nothing is done about the loose dogs, Brown has a Smith & Wesson for them, reports show.

Brown, 30, said he was angry and later apologized to the dog warden, adding that he doesn’t own a Smith & Wesson. He said he loves dogs — he has two pit bull dogs — and climbed down a ravine last June to save a dog while working as a firefighter.

For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.