WARREN Two men were arrested Monday evening following a police investigation into a reported threat against a Trumbull County animal rescuer who was attempting to recover an allegedly malnourished dog from a condemned home in Warren.

Brian E. Miller, 45, of Warren, and Dontay Lamont Miller Jr., 18, of Girard, were taken into custody after a confrontation with Warren police officers at a home on Idylwild St. NE.

According to a police report, officers were called to investigate an alleged threat made against Jason Cooke, founder of The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project.

Cooke, whose organization works to rescue and rehabilitate animals, had been called to the location to retrieve a dog that was allegedly malnourished and abandoned.

When police arrived at the home, they encountered Brian Miller on an enclosed porch and Dontay Miller Jr. outside the home. The police report states that Dontay Miller Jr. began to shine a flashlight into an officer's eyes, so the officer had difficulty determining the suspect’s movements.

Brian Miller allegedly began yelling at police and refused their orders to come out of the home where he was inside with a 2-year-old child. After allegedly refusing several requests to open the door, officers entered and arrested Brian Miller.

Police also arrested Dontay Miller, noting in the report that they found a gun in his backpack.

Officers describe the inside of the home as “deplorable,” with no running utilities. A “Condemned notice" on the door said the residence was supposed to be vacated.

Brian Miller was charged with misdemeanor counts of aggravated menacing, child endangering, criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct.

Dontay Miller Jr. was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, a fourth-degree felony, and obstructing official business.

Both men pleaded not guilty during their arraignment in Warren Municipal Court on Wednesday. They are scheduled to appear for another hearing next week.

Bond for Brian Miller was set at $20,000 with a condition of no contact with Jason Cooke. As of Thursday morning, both men remained in the county jail.

Cooke noted in a Facebook post that the dog was “extremely underweight”.  He said his organization has taken in 20 dogs since September 1 and needs public donations to help care for the more than 95 dogs currently under his organization’s care.

Cooke told 21 News a second malnourished dog was found in a kennel behind the residence and rescued.