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Mahoning County officials seek public's help in finding puppy killer
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Mike Smeck, of Amherst, Ohio, was one of a small group who gathered Tuesday in downtown Youngstown to rally against the abuse of animals. Smeck and others held signs supporting House Bill 108, or Nitro’s Law, which would make animal abuse inside a kennel a felony offense.
By Elise Franco
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.”
Rep. Ron Gerberry of Austintown, D-59th, said the puppy deaths are a tragedy. He said even if the person responsible is arrested, he or she can’t be charged with a felony.
“I’m not sure that ... they could be charged with anything other than a misdemeanor, and it’s unfortunate,” he said.
Gerberry is working to get House Bill 108, or Nitro’s Law, out of the Rules Committee and onto the House floor for a vote.
Nitro’s Law would make abuse inside a kennel a fifth-degree felony. Nitro was one of the dogs that was starved to death in 2008 while in the care of Steve Croley, owner-trainer at the former High Caliber K-9 Kennel on Coitsville-Hubbard Road.
Gerberry said that while his bill would have no effect on a case such as the pups, it’s a step forward for animal rights.
“I’m working diligently ... We might have a chance to get this bill accomplished this session,” he said.
Gerberry said to broaden the bill, as it was originally intended, would be ideal but much harder to pass.
Melissa Glancy, of Austintown, was one of a half-dozen people who gathered Tuesday in downtown Youngstown to give a voice to the pups. Glancy said she is a Nitro’s Law advocate and will continue to push, especially now, for its approval.
“This animal abuse, how it’s escalating, is proof that it should be a felony offense,” she said.
Anyone with information on the pups killed Monday should contact the Mahoning County Dog Warden Matt Ditchey at 330-740-2205, ext. 8161.