TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, Ohio --


A dog warden is investigating after a female pit bull was found chained up and shot in the head in Lawrence Township.

Officials said the dog was found by two hikers on Saturday along Welton Road in the northeast section of the township. Initial reports said the dog had been tied to a tree and starved to death, but on Sunday the county dog warden said the dog had been shot and killed.

Dog warden Karen Slough said the tan-colored pit bull appeared to have recently had a litter of puppies.

"I don't know if it was a pet or if someone owned the dog. I would assume someone used her to breed pit bull puppies, sell them, and then had no use for the mother," Slough said.

She said she has seen a lot of animal abuse over the years, but was surprised to hear about this gruesome crime, especially in that part of the county.

"It's a very nice area, nice section, newer homes, and we don't have too many problems," Slough said.


The dog warden, who is in charge of the investigation, said the person responsible will be charged.

"If people have a dog they don't want anymore, they can always bring it to the pound and we'll take care of it in a better way," she said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the county dog pound at 330-339-2616 or the NEWS9 Lauttamus Security Crime Busters Tipline at 800-862-BUST.