CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A pair of animal cruelty cases involving pit bull dogs is under investigation in Charleston, police said.
The body of a female pit bull was found hanging in a tree with a chain around its neck Tuesday night in the 1100 block of Madison Avenue, according to Charleston Police Chief Steve Cooper.
“The dog had obviously been brutalized prior to its death. To see this shocking scene of this dog just hanging from a tree was very disturbing,” Cooper said.
Police released surveillance video of a man walking what appears to be the dog who was killed. He returns a few minutes later without the dog, Cooper said.
“Clearly we’ve got someone on the streets that’s capable of some pretty heinous criminal behavior,” he said.
Charleston police are investigating another animal cruelty case from March 29 when a pit bull mix was found in the 1600 block of 4th Avenue. Investigators said the dog had been abused and had blue self-adhesive medical wrap tied around its waist. The dog is being treated for various injuries.
Anyone with information can call the Charleston Police Department at 304-348-8111. Information can provided anonymously, police said.