All charges dismissed against Pittsburgh animal control officer accused of injuring dog

PITTSBURGH — All charges were dismissed against a City of Pittsburgh animal control officer accused of causing extensive injuries to a dog.

James Genco, 46, was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and other offenses for an incident that allegedly happened in March.

Genco’s attorney, Casey White, told Channel 11 all those charges were dismissed at a preliminary hearing Tuesday.

Genco and another Animal Care and Control officer were called to the Strip District for a report of two dogs left unattended inside a vehicle. The dogs were removed and taken to Human Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh to be held until their owner was located.

While there, a witness claimed to hear “yelping” and “screaming” coming from the area where Genco was with the dog.

Surveillance video checked later showed Genco dragging the dog for more than 30 feet, with a trail of blood and urine behind the animal.

The dog, a pit bull mix, was taken to the Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty Emergency Clinic. Veterinarians said the dog was severely injured, with a broken tail, broken teeth and nails, ruptured blood vessels, abrasions and signs of strangulation.

Genco told investigators the dog “may have hit the building as he was removing him from the truck.”

Veterinarians said “excessive force was used, for sure.”

The dog was treated for its injuries.

“They did their best to help this dog out of a potentially tragic situation,” White said. “Police officers almost had to draw their weapon on this dog. This dog was vicious, angry, mean and nasty, flipping its body around, strangling itself, causing self-inflicted wounds.”

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