NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio — Employees with the Tuscarawas County Dog Pound are investigating "a horrific scene of abuse" after four pit bulls died in the Wayne Township area last week.
According to a Facebook post, dog wardens were called to Kaylor Road Northwest just south of Soehnlen Road Northwest at 10 a.m. Friday and found three of the dogs already dead along with another "suffering horribly." The fourth dog was eventually euthanized, and veterinarians now believe the four were killed by being fed rat poison.
"Animals who are poisoned like this will bleed into their chests and abdomens and eventually suffocate to death," the Dog Pound wrote. "Physical exam of the dogs showed signs of this type of death."
Experts believe the dogs were poisoned and dumped in the woods on Thursday, with all dying within 24 hours. They are believed to have been littermates who were under a year old.
"We know the likelihood of finding who is responsible is slim, but we have to try," officials said. "Someone needs to be held accountable for this horrible abuse."
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to immediately call the Tuscarawas County Dog Pound at (330) 339-2616. In particular, authorities say, "Someone knows who had a litter of white with brown spotted pitbulls with blue eyes (likely around Christmas time) who didn't sell them all."