CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Police Chief Steve Cooper says he was called to the scene back on Sunday where a dog had been stabbed and strangled.
“It was a disturbing scene. Whenever you see an animal cruelty case like that where someone has just brutalized and killed it. Obviously that raises concern for other animals in the neighborhood and maybe even people.” Cooper said Wednesday on 580 Live with Charleston Mayor Danny Jones.
Police are still looking for those responsible. Cooper said the dog appeared to be a Maltese Pomeranian mix. It was all white and probably about six-months-old, Cooper said.
The dog was found on Madison Street on Charleston’s West Side less than 50 yards from where a man killed a dog by hanging back in April. John Copening Jr. pleaded guilty in September to an animal abuse charge. He was sentenced to 1 to 5 years in prison.
Police don’t yet know who is responsible for the most recent incident. Cooper said they want to speak with the person caught on video near the area. Police have produced a grainy photo from the video.
“The individual appears to be 5-8 to six foot with a long purple coat. So if you know anybody in that neighborhood that wears a long purple coat please call the detective bureau 348-6480 and maybe you can give us a lead. It’s a pretty unique-looking outfit if you see the picture,” Cooper said.
The dog weighed about 10 pounds. It was not wearing tags or a collar.
It’s believed the dog had been dead for more than 24 hours.