Officials Inspecting Abandoned Plant After 2 Dogs Found Covered In Chemical Adhesive
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – HAZMAT and and other government agencies are investigating the site of an abandoned plant in Ohio, where two dogs were found covered in a chemical adhesive.
In addition to HAZMAT crews, officials with the EPA and Columbiana County Emergency Management were called to the East Liverpool building on Wednesday.
The deteriorating building, which is owned by Dacar Industries in Carnegie, still houses chemicals inside. A company representative at the scene did not wish to comment. No one was available at Dacar's Pittsburgh or Carnegie addresses for comment as well.
KDKA's Mary Robb Jackson Reports:
Additionally, the EPA is currently monitoring the air quality in the area.
"When we got here we saw some loose chemicals, and we could smell a strong chemical smell from the facility," East Liverpool Safety Services Director Ryan Estell said.
Officials said the cleanup effort will begin on Thursday.
Over the weekend, Oden, a 1-year-old beagle-boxer mix, was found on Michigan Street. Half of his body was covered in the chemical adhesive substance. A local rescue group brought the dog to Safari Dog & Ashleigh's Grooming in nearby Chester, W. Va.
It took workers nine hours to remove the substance from his fur.
Then, Oden was taken to the VCA Met Vet West Animal Hospital in Robinson Township for medical care. He was treated for neck pain, severe burns and an eye infection.
The rescue group then located Oden's sister, Miley, Tuesday night. The group said Miley was stuck in a puddle at the abandoned plant, where they claim to have found chemicals seeping onto the ground from 50-gallon drums.
"They said they had to pull tar out and off of her so they could release her. She was literally stuck to the ground," Ashleigh Yoho Deal, of Ashleigh's Dog Grooming said.
Investigators have since identified the substance as a chemical adhesive.
Miley will see a vet too, once she's cleaned up.
"We'll be doing the same thing that we did with Oden. We'll be giving her 24-hour, around-the-clock care until we can get her back to health," Yoho Deal said.
KDKA's Heather Abraham Reports:
Both dogs are suffering from second-degree chemical burns and severe eye irritation.
East Liverpool Police Chief John Lane said they do not believe that any criminal mischief took place, but they will continue to look into the case.
Chief Lane told KDKA's Heather Abraham that a report was taken after the first dog was found, but that to his knowledge, no one called to report the second dog.
Yoho Deal is looking for donations to help with the dogs' medical expense. They need towels, baby oil and even WD40 to help with cleaning the dogs. They are also looking for donations to help with Oden and Miley's medical care.
You can find out more on their Facebook page, or call (724)-513-5706.
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