Neighbors in dispute over shooting of dog

By Patricia Meade

The dog was examined by a vet in Howland and may lose his left rear leg.

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

As of Tuesday afternoon, 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.

Brown disputed statements on a police report given by his neighbor, Renee White, on Sunday afternoon.

White told police she was gone for one day, returning Saturday afternoon, and during that time someone let her dogs loose and she found one injured and lying in a flower bed.

It wasn’t immediately clear why White waited a full day before contacting police. She could not be reached at home Tuesday.

Dr. Chuck Moxley of Town Country Veterinary Hospital in Howland said the wounded dog, Buster, was brought to the hospital Monday night by White. He said Buster has a severe gunshot injury to his left rear leg and it may have to be amputated.

Rufus Sparks, another doctor at the clinic, said the dog also has an infection, but they could find no evidence that the dog had been beaten.

Dr. Moxley said he X-rayed Buster, put him on antibiotics and pain medication and stabilized the animal. Anyone who wants to donate for Buster’s medical care can write a check to Town & Country, care of the office manager, and mark “Buster” in the memo section of the check.

Kyle Ziegler, Animal Charity humane agent, said he’s been trying to contact White and get medical attention for the injured dog. He said Animal Charity has been receiving calls from people who want to donate money for the dog’s medical needs.

White, meanwhile, told police that Brown confronted her Saturday and told her he shot the dog and hit the animal with a baseball bat.

“That’s a lie,” Brown said.

Brown said White was gone for several days and left her dogs outside. He said he’s complained several times about White’s dogs’ getting into his yard, adding she has no water service at her house.

The water department said service at 1120 Aberdeen, White’s residence, was shut off Jan. 8 by the collection department.

meade@vindy.com