Charges unlikely for dog injury

Whatever happens is in God’s hands, the dog owner said.

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, an 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. She said neither Buster nor her other dog, Dusty, is aggressive. “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.

Buster happily greeted a Vindicator photographer and reporter at the front door, wagging his tail.

“He’s happy to be alive,” White said. “I’m happy he’s alive.”

She expressed thanks for those who donated to pay for his surgery. She said the cost was nearly $3,000.

The investigation was temporarily delayed and subsequently turned over to detectives because Animal Charity on South Avenue, Mahoning County’s only humane agency, did not have its certified humane agents appointed by the mayor, as required, at the time of the shooting.

On March 27, the agency sent a letter to Jason T. Whitehead, the mayor’s chief of staff, saying it had many cases that met the criteria for prosecution that could not be acted upon and wanted the appointments done as soon as possible.

Whitehead said the appointment of one full- and one part-time humane agent took place April 1. He said the city provides the agency with an annual grant of $17,000.

After Buster was injured, White’s neighbor, Corey Brown, told The Vindicator that his 15-year-old stepson hit the dog with a baseball bat and the dog was shot by his brother Christian, 28. Brown, a city firefighter, said there were 3- and 5-year-olds playing in his yard when White’s two dogs came into the yard.

Brown said his stepson and brother acted to protect the children.

Macejko said he had requested more information from the detective on the case, but that didn’t happen and it is highly unlikely that criminal charges will be issued.

“While the Browns did display some reckless conduct and behaved somewhat inappropriately, I am sympathetic to the dog’s owners and the position of the humane society,” Macejko said. “I hope that both can recognize that if dogs are admittedly loose in a neighborhood and acting in an aggressive and menacing fashion toward people, steps may be taken to preserve human life and welfare over that of the dog.”

In a press release, Nikole Owen, chief executive officer at Animal Charity, said the humane agency feels deep regret over the situation and the way it was handled.