YOUNGSTOWN — A concerned citizen took the time this week while driving down Blaine Street, in an isolated area of the East Side, to see what was in a plastic bag by the road.

The woman found a dead dog inside the bag. It was an older brindle-colored pit bull. It was very thin but did not appear to have been used in dog fighting or have any other signs of trauma.

When Animal Charity went there Thursday, three other dead dogs were found in bags. Their remains were skeletal.

Dave Nelson, deputy dog warden for Mahoning County, said that site, and two other East Side locations, are dumping grounds for animals, so he tries to patrol them regularly. He said he saw evidence that might suggest a nearby source for one of the animals, and he will be checking up on that.