Dogs that killed mini-horses slain by owner

HAMILTON — Two dogs that were part of a pack that killed miniature horses in nearby St. Clair Township have been put down, according to Butler County Deputy Dog Warden Supervisor Kurt Merbs.

Last week, Merbs was looking for two dogs that were part of an attack on pet horses the week before. Merbs said Tuesday that sheriff’s detectives had questioned a man suspected of owning the dogs, and he confessed that the animals were his.

“He has no idea they were getting out or were going off the property,” Merbs said. He added that the owner, Terry Foister, thought the dogs had killed raccoons.

When Foister learned of the death of the horses, he killed the dogs, the detectives said.

Foister was cited for failure to restrain a dog. He is scheduled to be arraigned next month in Hamilton Municipal Court.

A trio of dogs, described as either pit bulls or a pit bull mixed breed, attacked and killed one horse and mortally wounded another Dec. 16 at a St. Clair Township farm, Merbs said.

Eight-year-old Bella and 6-year-old Pablo were “ripped to pieces,” the horses’ owner, Mike Powell, said. He shot and killed one of the dogs, he added.

The remaining two dogs, one still stained with blood, attacked another miniature horse at a neighboring farm.

“They went after his face and his tail. Just tore him up,” Howard Campbell said, describing 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).”

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, Campbell said.

Eventually, he said, he called the veterinarian to end Simon’s suffering. Merbs said the most important thing is there is no longer a danger to people or pets in the area.