Man cited after police find malnourished dog on his roof

YOUNGSTOWN — Police cited a man on animal cruelty charges Sunday after officers found a malnourished dog on his roof that was also nursing six puppies.

Police were called to a home in the 3100 block of Orrin Avenue on the East Side about 10 p.m. for a report of a dog on the roof of a porch.

Reports said the dog is a pit bull or pit bull mix, and officers said the dog appeared malnourished. Animal Charity and the Fire Department were called for help in getting the dog down, but they could not get the dog off the roof, reports said.

Reports said it appeared the dog had somehow clawed her way out of a second story window onto the porch. Police also spotted six puppies in the basement.

The owner of the dog, Deshaun Vaughn, 36, arrived shortly after police did. Reports said he would not answer when police asked him when he last fed the dog. He told police he received the dog several months ago from a friend.

A humane agent told Vaughn he would have to get the dog and bring it to animal charity today because no one could coax the dog off the roof.

The humane agent told Vaughn if he did not bring the dog in himself it would be confiscated.

Vaughn was issued a citation and is due in municipal court today.