Remains in local yard ID’d as exonerated dog

10/5/2013

Authorities have identified buried remains as those of a missing dog sent to Toledo from New York City last year after its possible involvement in a murder case, and will decide Monday whether charges will be filed in the case.

Gary Willoughby, executive director of the Toledo Area Humane Society, said Friday that humane society representatives will meet with those of the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office at One Government Center downtown at 8 a.m. Monday to determine whether they will prosecute, and if so, what charges would be filed in the case.

The remains of the dog, named Bones, were exhumed Sunday by an animal advocacy agency that had searched for the animal for nine months.

The remains were dug up by Toledo members of Lexus Project, Oceanside, N.Y., from the backyard of 4905 Luann Ave., the former home of Kathy Sutter.

She had been entrusted with the dog to deal with its aggression issues. Searches were conducted throughout the West Toledo neighborhood where Ms. Sutter operated her Northwest Ohio Underdog Rescue Inc.

Bones created a sensation in New York in November, 2011, when its owner, Shaun Dyer, allegedly killed his roommate. The victim, David Shada, had bite marks, leading to allegations that its owner sicced Bones on Mr. Shada.

Earlier this week, the agency also exhumed remains of a dog and several small animals at the same location.