MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (WLWT)– An animal rescue organization said it is heartbroken after one of its dogs was killed while participating in a prison program in Warren County.
Joseph’s Legacy posted the announcement on its Facebook page saying one of its dogs, Evie, died after suffering blunt force trauma to the abdomen, causing her liver to hemorrhage. The organization said one of the dog’s kidneys was also damaged.
The organization said it happened while the dog was participating in a program at Warren Correctional Institution. The program lets trusted inmates use their time and energy training rescue animals, preparing them for new lives with new skills.
Group officials said Evie was discovered unresponsive in a cell by her handlers.
The organization said these programs are meant to be great for the dogs and the inmates, but said they more risky than we had originally thought.
Officials said it seemed to have little issues and worked smoothly with volunteers regularly on-site and observing the dogs’ progress and how the handlers were working with them.
Joseph’s Legacy said they will have more results of an investigation into the dogs death in about three to four weeks. They said they will be pressing charges to get justice for Evie. State authorities are in charge of the investigation, the organization said.
The organization said they have removed all dogs from the program and they will not return.
