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12 dogs from arson house need homes
By Denise Dick
AUSTINTOWN
Twelve dogs left homeless when their owner’s home was damaged in an arson earlier this week are available for adoption.
Shalyse Bolash, executive director of Animal Charity, said the agency was contacted by a neighbor of the woman whose South Navarre Avenue home was damaged by fire. The neighbor had been feeding the dogs.
“All of the animals were healthy. She had them licensed,” she said. “They were all vaccinated.”
Animal Charity met with the owner, who indicated that after losing her home and possessions in the blaze, she could no longer care for the dogs.
“Imagine losing everything you own in a fire and having to give up your babies,” Bolash said.
Animal Charity doesn’t usually accept owner surrenders but made an exception because of the circumstances.
Two adult dogs and seven 2-week-old puppies are at Animal Charity on Market Street in Boardman. The remaining three adult dogs are at the Mahoning County Dog Pound and Adoption Center on Industrial Road in Youngstown because of Animal Charity’s space constraints.
Animal Charity is open for adoptions from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days per week. The puppies won’t be available for adoption until they’re 8 weeks old.
One of the dogs at the house, which suffered from previous health issues, has died since the fire. Its health problems may have been exacerbated by the smoke inhalation, Bolash said.
The remaining adult dogs, ranging between 40 and 50 pounds, are all friendly. She described them as mixed breeds.
They are among the many pets at the agency that are looking for forever homes, Bolash said.
John P. Petroff, 41, of Youngstown, is charged with five counts of aggravated arson, accused of setting his former girlfriend’s home, vehicle and garage on fire.
Police found Petroff on Wednesday morning at a home near his ex-girlfriend’s house, and officers could see smoke still coming from his leg and skin dripping off, a police report said.