Mahoning officials seeking public's help in arrest of puppy killers

Youngstown

Law-enforcement officials are asking for help from the public to find the person responsible for the death of two puppies.

Matt Ditchey, Mahoning County dog warden, said his office is working with Youngstown police and Animal Charity to bring whoever killed the German shepherd pups to justice.

They were found dead around 2 p.m. Monday in a median island on West Federal Street near Western Reserve Transit Authority’s Federal Station, downtown, police said. The pups had string wrapped around their legs and neck, said Ditchey.

Ditchey said it was how they were killed that makes getting the culprit off the street a priority.

“The person was intentionally trying to cause pain and suffering on these animals,” he said. “The way the knots were tied, the more the dogs moved the more it would bind their throats.”

Ditchey said authorities have no suspects but believe there’s someone out there with information that could help.

“We’re just trying to ask the public, if they know or have seen anything suspicious, to give us a call,” he said. “We’re trying our best to see what we can find out.”

For the complete story, read today's Vindicator or Vindy.com.