Struthers cop, firefighter rescue dog from hot roof; One arrest made

Police in Struthers rescued a dog from the hot roof of a three-story home on Tuesday after the resident reportedly refused to open his door. The rescue unfolded around 3:15 p.m. on Maplewood Avenue, after someone reported seeing a dog on the roof.

When officers arrived, they spotted a large mastiff on the third-story roof. An open window nearby appeared to be blocked by a couch from the inside.

Officers called the fire department and worked to prevent the dog from getting too close to the edge of the roof. With no other safe way to reach the dog, and concerned for its well-being, Officer Lou Rossi used a city bucket truck, which happened to be on-site for tree trimming, to get up to the roof.

The report says the dog seemed scared and wouldn't approach the bucket. However, Officer Rossi and a firefighter eventually managed to attach a leash to the dog's harness and guide it into the bucket. The dog was then safely lowered to the ground. Reports indicate the dog was lifting its paws due to the extreme heat of the roof shingles.

As Rossi was trying to access the roof, Officer Jim Ritter tried to get inside the house to help with the rescue. After about 20 minutes of officers yelling and knocking, and with the presence of fire trucks and other heavy equipment, Monty Smith eventually opened the door.

When asked why it took so long, Smith reportedly claimed he was "sleeping and didn't hear anything."

Ritter reports that he had to open locked doors and move items blocking pathways inside the house, hoping to encourage the dog to move towards a window that could be reached. However, the dog moved to a part of the house that wasn't accessible from that side. Ultimately, Rossi and a firefighter successfully rescued the dog from the roof.

After the dog was safe, Smith reportedly told Officer Ritter that he "didn't know how the dog got on the roof" and admitted that the dog "didn't have any food or water, because it wasn't his dog or his responsibility."

Police arrested Smith, saying he wouldn't cooperate with officers, which the officers say made the rescue operation longer and more dangerous, and because he admitted to neglecting the animal.

Monty Smith  

The mastiff was taken to Animal Charity in Boardman for examination and care. Smith was taken to the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office and is being held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in Struthers Municipal Court on Wednesday to answer charges of obstructing official business and cruelty to animals.

The police report also noted that the house was in "extremely bad condition," described as "extremely dangerous and almost unfit for any human or animal to live in."

The case has been passed on to various city departments, including the Struthers Law Director, Detective Division, Safety Service Director, and Property Code Enforcement, for further review and investigation.