BREAKING NEWS | Beagles brought inside to escape frigid temps

YOUNGSTOWN — Humane agents said today a pair of beagles whose conditions Saturday prompted calls to the police have been taken inside by their owner.

Humane Agent Chris Flak said the two dogs were taken inside a home in the 2500 block of Stocker Avenue on the East Side by their owner after intense pressure from social media as well as neighbors. Flak said humane agents went to check on the dogs today and the owner was not home but he was told they are inside.

There was no sign of the dogs earlier when a reporter visited and no one answered a knock on the door. A pair of cages in the back yard were empty.

Flak said because the dogs are used for hunting, their standards of minimum care are even less under state law as they are for dogs or other animals that are designated companion animals, and all they need is a break against the wind because they are considered a working animal, along with food and water.

The owner of the beagles was issued a warning because of defective flooring in the cages which may lead to foot problems for the dogs. Flak said agents will be back in two days to see if the cages have been fixed but so far he said he is powerless to take the dogs because they were getting the minimum standard of care under state law.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com