Dogs Rescued After Being Left in U-Haul on Christmas Day
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Police responded to reports of animal cruelty on Christmas Day after two pit bulls and a third dog in a cage were allegedly left inside a U-Haul parked at a Holiday Inn on East Main Street for over 24 hours.
According to the police report, officers were dispatched around 2:55 p.m. to investigate a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, they found two dogs inside the front of the vehicle, where feces reportedly covered the seats. A third dog was later discovered in a cage in the back of the U-Haul.
A hotel employee told officers that the vehicle had been parked in the lot for over a day. The employee also claimed to have seen someone feeding and watering the dogs periodically but could not provide a description or license plate number of the vehicle involved. After consulting with their supervisor, the employee requested the U-Haul be towed.
Police contacted the on-call dog warden to assist with removing the animals, citing the unsanitary conditions inside the vehicle. The police report states that while officers were on the scene, they were informed that an individual detained by another law enforcement agency had allegedly admitted to owning dogs left in a U-Haul in Chillicothe.
Another individual claiming part ownership of the animals also contacted authorities to inquire about the situation. Police coordinated with the towing company and animal control to safely remove the dogs from the vehicle.
The U-Haul company reportedly provided access to the locked vehicle to retrieve the animals. According to the police report, the case is being investigated under Ohio’s animal cruelty statutes, with no formal charges filed at this time. Authorities remind pet owners of the importance of proper care for animals, particularly during extreme weather conditions.
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