Aurora police investigate after 3 pets abandoned, 1 dog found dead

AURORA, Ohio (WJW) –  In the past 30 days, Aurora police investigated three heartbreaking cases of pets being abandoned.

In one case, security video obtained by the FOX 8 I-Team shows a dog chasing after a vehicle, after the owner dumped the pet and took off.

Another dog was found on the side of the road, and a third found dead after being locked in a cage in a vacant apartment.

“Dogs being abandoned, dumped or found deceased because of animal neglect,” said Aurora Police Chief Brian Byard. “Their owners just abandoned them.”

The dog found in the park and the dog found on the side of the road were taken to the police department. Detectives investigated, and both owners were located and are now facing a misdemeanor criminal charge.

Alexandria Libertucci, the community relations coordinator for Aurora, says she was able to find homes for the two dogs.

The third dog, a Golden Retriever, was found dead locked inside a cage earlier this week. Police believe the dog had been left for months and had no food or water.

“This was completely heartbreaking,” said officer Laura Clague.

Clague said Savannah Seidle lived in the apartment but had been evicted.

On Wednesday, police arrested Seidle and charged her with a felony count of cruelty to animals.  She was taken to the Portage County jail. She was arraigned in court Thursday and released on a $10,000 bond.

When police arrested Seidle, she said she was surprised by the allegation, and said she did not have a dog. Officers, however, say the dog belonged to her.

Chief Byard said anyone who abandons their pets in Aurora will be found and prosecuted.

“This is cruel and uncalled for. No reason for this to happen,” Byard said. “We take this very seriously and it won’t be tolerated.

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