Dogs tear 3 miniature horses ‘to pieces’

Dog warden on lookout for animals in St. Clair Twp.

Butler ST. CLAIR TWP. — County deputy dog wardens are still looking for two dogs St. Clair Twp. residents say were part of a pack that killed three miniature horses last week.

A trio of dogs, described as either pit bulls or a pit bull mixed breed, attacked and killed one horse and mortally maimed another horse Friday at Mike Powell’s farm in the 1900 block of West Elkton Road, according to Butler County Deputy Dog Warden Supervisor Kurt Merbs.

Eight-year-old Bella and 6-year-old Pablo were “ripped to pieces,” Powell told our media partner WCPO. Powell said he shot and killed one dog.

But that didn’t stop the dogs. The remaining two, one still stained with blood, attacked another miniature horse at a neighboring residence on West Elkton.

“They went after his face and his tail. Just tore him up,” Howard Campbell told this news outlet about the attack on his miniature horse, Simon. “I was at work, my wife was out there. She was throwing rocks at (the dogs) trying to get them off (the horse).”

Also trying to help was the little horse’s friend, a donkey named Jedi.

“Simon and Jedi grew up together. They didn’t mess with (the donkey),” Campbell said. “He was trying to go after them, too.”

A veterinarian came to the aid of Simon, sewing him up, but by Saturday morning it was apparent the 16-yearold horse would not make it, according to Campbell.

“I was out there all night trying to get him up, working with him,” he said.

Eventually, he said he called the veterinarian to end Simon’s suffering.

“My grandkids are torn up about it,” Campbell said. “I think ( Jedi) is also missing him.”

Campbell said the dogs, which residents believe live on Sipps Lane, were bred for “hunting or fighting.”

“I am more worried about my grandkids with those loose animals. If they ever find them, they need to be put down,” Campbell said.

Merbs agrees that the dogs were out for a kill and said the dog warden’s office has talked with several people, including one on Sipps Lane, but all have denied having dogs.

“But one guy we talked to had dog houses sitting in the front yard,” Merbs said, adding they would like to find the dogs, which have killed twice.

If the owner is found, they could be charged with having a dog running at large and possible other misdemeanors, according to Merbs.

One dog was described as white; the other as brown, and both looked to be healthy, according to Merbs.

“I don’t think they were killing out of hunger. They were described as good-sized dogs. They were there for a takedown,” he said.

Anyone in the area who sees the dogs is asked to call the dog warden’s office at 513-785-6542.