Pittsburgh Woman Left Dog To Die In Abandoned Apartment: Police

PITTSBURGH, PA — An arrest warrant has been issued for a woman accused abandoning, tethering and allowing her dog to starve to death.

In July, Pittsburgh Animal Care and Control officers and police responded to the 2400 block of Bedford Avenue for reports of a dead dog discovered in an unoccupied apartment. Officers found a significantly decomposed dog whose leash was attached to the canine's neck area and tied to a door handle inside the apartment.

A city police officer who specializes in animal neglect and abuse cases was called to investigate the case, with the assistance of humane officers at Animal Friends Humane Investigations Department.

An arrest warrant has been issued for the dog's owner, Talazia Johnson, 22, of Pittsburgh. She is charged with two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, two counts of cruelty to animals, four counts of neglect of animals, and abandonment of animals by owner.