Those who shot Youngstown dog likely won’t be charged

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Those who hit and shot a dog on Aberdeen Avenue displayed somewhat reckless conduct but it is high unlikely charges will be filed, city prosecutor said.

“At least one independent witness corroborates the claim that the dogs were behaving aggressively toward humans prior to the shooting incident,” City Prosecutor Jay Macejko said this past week. “I cannot say at this time that the shooting of the dog was not in furtherance of the defense of others.”

On March 23, Renee White of Aberdeen Avenue filed a police report related to the injuries of her dog, Buster, a 8-month-old Shepherd-Lab mix, who was shot and hit with a baseball bat by a neighbor’s stepson and brother. The animal eventually had to have his right hind leg amputated.

“He’s getting around good,” White said of Buster’s recovery. “He’s not aggressive or my other dog Dusty, they’re both spoiled. I don’t think they’d bite anyone — they’d lick you to death.”

White said she hasn’t been able to let Dusty out much since the shooting because he was traumatized by the gunfire and barks “if someone is out over there.”

White was somewhat surprised that no charges would be filed. “Whatever happens, it’s in God’s hands,” she said.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.