ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — Two Ross County residents have been charged with felony animal cruelty after allegedly stabbing a German Shepherd to death, which they claimed had attacked their pit bull.
The Guardian previously reported on the incident. According to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to 558 Market Street on May 20, following a call from the Ross County Dog Warden. The owners of a pit bull, Justin Pummell and Destiny Mosser, claimed that their dog was attacked in their yard by a German Shepherd owned by their neighbors. Pummell and Mosser recounted hearing the noise of a dog fight and finding their pit bull locked in an altercation with the German Shepherd. The fight became so intense that it reportedly compelled one of them to use a knife to separate the animals, severely injuring the German Shepherd in the process. The dog eventually succumbed to its injuries, according to authorities.
When deputies arrived, the owners of the German Shepherd had already taken their dog to the vet for emergency treatment. The Dog Warden collected statements and indicated that further follow-ups would be conducted. As part of the investigation into the incident, deputies returned to speak with the German Shepherd’s owners. They presented video footage allegedly capturing the incident. The footage raised questions about the sequence of events as reported by Pummell and Mosser.
Contrary to the pit bull owners’ account, the video, authorities said, shows a figure approaching the German Shepherd and attacking the dog without any apparent reason or provocation. The video also shows a second figure joining in the assault, even as the dog appeared to be trying to flee.
The police report notes that it’s uncertain whether a dog fight occurred off-camera prior to the attack shown in the video.
Both Justin Pummell and Destiny Mosser have been charged with felony animal cruelty. The case will be presented to the next session of the Ross County Grand Jury.