Humane agents look for missing dog

Dog that was subject to complaints taken

Dog that was subject to complaints taken

youngstown

Humane agents are searching for a dog taken from the 400 block of Albert Street that had been the subject of complaints by people upset it was left outside in cold weather.

Humane Agent Christopher Flak of Animal Charity said he has some leads on who may have taken the dog and is investigating.

Flak said he has been investigating reports for two and a half years by people complaining that the dog is outside too much and is left outside in extreme weather.

However, Flak said the owner of the large breed dog has done everything he is legally required to do under state law. He said the dog has adequate shelter for being outside and access to plenty of food and water.

He said under state law a person can remove an animal from a person’s care if they believe the animal is being abused or neglected, but they must inform the person they are taking the animal and why.

Flak said Youngstown police were called to the home for a complaint about the dog about 8 p.m. Monday and were called back about 12 p.m. Tuesday after the dog was discovered to be missing. Flak said the owner has filed a theft report.

“The homeowner is extremely irate and upset about it,” Flak said.

Monday, a man who owned two beagles in another East Side home on Stocker Avenue gave the dogs to the Mahoning County Dog Warden’s office after he received several social media complaints about how the dogs were left outside in cages. Those beagles were in turn given to Angels for Animals, which is trying to find foster homes for them.

An official with the dog warden’s office said those dogs were in good shape and legally they had adequate food and shelter despite the weather.