Struthers man accused of leading his dog into woods, then shooting it
A grand jury has indicted a Struthers man accused of leading his dog into the woods and then shooting the animal.
The Mahoning County Grand Jury on Thursday handed up an indictment charging 39-year-old George Panno with one felony count of cruelty to animals.
According to report filed by a Mahoning County Sheriff’s Deputy, a man was spotted on the evening of April 8 walking into the woods along South Bailey Road in Ellsworth Township with his dog on a leash.
A woman and her daughter told investigators they heard three gunshots, then the man came out of the woods without the dog.
The witnesses say the man opened and closed the trunk of his car before driving away.
The women followed the car and reported the license number to a dispatcher.
When deputies arrived, they say the car had returned to the area and they saw Panno coming out of the woods.
Deputies say Panno told them he had lost his dog and denied firing a weapon.
About fifty yards into the woods, Deputies found a pile of trash bags and twigs. Under the pile were the remains of a black dog that had been shot at least twice.
Deputies say after Panno gave confusing answers to their questions about why he was there, they read him his rights.
Investigators recovered a .40 caliber pistol as evidence.
Humane agents from Animal Charity took pictures of the dog who they say was named “Diesel”.
The indictment comes with a firearm specification which could add three years to any prison sentence if convicted.
On the Animal Charity Facebook page, the organization called the indictment “a small victory for Diesel”.
A warrant has been issued for Panno’s arrest.
