BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio — A hunter is facing charges for killing two dogs that got away from their owner in Belmont County, Ohio.
[ WTOV ]
reported that owner Pete Byers was getting ready to take the dogs, Bella and Emmy, with him on a work trip to Pittsburgh. He told the TV station that he turned around to lock a gate, and the dogs disappeared.
After searching for hours with the help of friends and neighbors, Byers told
“It’s the opening day of gun season, so I’m like dying inside. I’m scared to death,” Byers said.
[ WTOV ]
that hunters reported hearing gunshots and a dog’s yelp.
Byers claimed a trail of tracks led to the tree stand of 59-year-old Michael Chedester, whom he confronted.
“I asked him, did you kill my dogs, man? I want to know so I can bury them. Meanwhile, he keeps eyeing this new brush pile that’s new and fresh,” Byers told
[ WTOV ]
. “Then he kind of looks down his nose at me and says, ‘Yeah, I killed your dogs. You want me to buy you two new ones? I'll buy you two new dogs.’”
Byers posted the following message to Chedester on Facebook:
[ CLICK HERE to see Byers’ full Facebook post, including photos (WARNING: GRAPHIC!!!) ]
According to prosecutors, Chedester will be charged with two felony charges of prohibitions concerning companion animals. He faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison on each count, or 24 months consecutively, if convicted.