Officials searching for missing dogs, vow to charge those involved

YOUNGSTOWN

Police and the Mahoning County Dog Warden’s office are looking for two dogs that were harbored in an abandoned South Side home and believed to have been used in organized dogfighting.

Dave Nelson, deputy dog warden, said agents with the dog warden’s office planned to knock on doors and search for the two animals. He has some leads as to where the two dogs might be, he said Thursday.

Nelson and Youngstown police were alerted to the vacant and abandoned West Myrtle Avenue home earlier this week when a resident called police about a dog on the roof of the house. Police discovered at least five dogs in various parts of the house.

Nelson said barriers inside the house were situated in a way that suggested dogfighting had been taking place inside. He said there are also witnesses to dogs to being taken in and out of the house.

Nelson said anyone found to be involved in the dog fighting or removal of the two animals could face felony charges of dogfighting.

“This dogfighting thing is illegal, but it is big business," he said. "I will file charges on anyone involved in this and continue to make sure that anyone witnessing or involved faces the appropriate charges.”

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