Local

Mayor on abandoned chemical facility: ‘We have a problem'

EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio — The investigation continues Wednesday after two dogs were found covered in what appeared to be thick, hot tar recently in East Liverpool, Ohio.

Channel 11's Pamela Osborne broke the story on Tuesday about Oden and Miley, boxer-beagles mixes, who were found not far from each other a few days apart.

Marsha McGinnis told Osborne she found Oden on the side of the road Saturday afternoon covered in tar that burnt him to the flesh.

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“How could anyone do this?” she said. “He moaned when I picked him up.”

McGinnis said she brought Oden to Safari Dog & Ashleigh’s Grooming in Chester, West Virginia, where he’s getting cleaned up and nursed back to health.

On Tuesday night, Miley was found in the same area also covered in tar.

https://twitter.com/PamelaOsborne/status/489433884434501632

A woman who lives in the area contacted Channel 11 News after watching the initial story and said there are “pools of tar” in a neighborhood near where the dogs were found.

After investigating, viewer tips led authorities to an abandoned and unsecured chemical plant in East Liverpool where it appears the dogs got into.

Channel 11 News alerted East Liverpool Mayor Jim Swoger to the situation. He dropped everything to look at the facility, which is owned by Decar Industries.

“We’ve got a big problem,” Swoger said.

https://twitter.com/PamelaOsborne/status/489433456267382786

The Environmental Protection Agency and hazmat crews have been called to help in the investigation.

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The dogs’ owner may not be able to care for them or pay the hundreds of dollars it’s costing to treat them

If you'd like to help, you can contact Safari Dog & Ashleigh's Grooming at 724-513-5706. In addition, a GoFundMe account has been set up. CLICK HERE for details.

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