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Remains From 15-20 Dogs Found In Beaver Co.

BEAVER COUNTY (KDKA) – Police and the Humane Society in Beaver County found the badly decomposed remains of as many as 20 dogs on a hillside near the Ohio River on Monday.

The discovery was made in a 50-yard stretch along the Ohio River at Woodlawn Street, just south of the Aliquippa-Ambridge Bridge, in Hopewell Township.

Investigators scaled the steep hillside between the road and the river to get to the scene.

"Well, it's definitely not something that you come across every day," said Chief Brian Uhrmacher, of Hopewell Township Police. "We're not sure what the circumstances are that lead to the dogs ending up here."

A man walking down by the river was the first one who spotted the remains.

Officials had earlier said they believed the remains were from five dogs, but later said it appeared to be from 15 to 20 dogs.

"Due to the number of dogs we're dealing with here, I think somebody out there probably has an idea of what went on here, and if there is anybody who has information that could help us with the investigation to contact either the Hopewell Police or the Humane Society in Beaver County," said Chief Uhrmacher.

It's unclear who left the dogs there or why.

For Charles and Floriana Jones of Beaver Falls, the news of the remains being found made it a difficult day. The discovery of so many dead dogs in nearby Hopewell Township hit the couple hard emotionally.

Last month, about three weeks after their 7½-year-old dog disappeared, the canine was found fatally shot near railroad tracks in Big Beaver Township.

Their dog was named Moses.

Floriana said, "He had a marking like a white cross on his chest, so he was a Christian dog for us."

Charles said when their dog was found, his tags were missing.

"The license and tags, all identification was gone, they had to be physically taken off," he said.

Beaver Falls is about 20 miles from Hopewell Township where the remains were found on Monday.

"In my career, I've never seen something of this nature with the number of animals that are involved," said Chief Uhrmacher.

Last week, several dogs were found dead near a drain pipe in Clearfield Township, Butler County, and at least two of the dogs had been shot.

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