A dog was found hanging from a tree by a rope in Foristell City Park on Tuesday, and police say whoever did it left behind a case they are calling disturbing. The animal, described as an adult black male pit bull, had been dead for somewhere between 24 and 48 hours by the time it was discovered, according to a police assessment of the scene.
Someone came across the dog and called police, who were then led to the exact location where the animal was hanging, according to First Alert 4. Foristell police are now investigating the discovery as they try to piece together what happened to the animal and who was responsible.
Police Chief Doug Johnson did not mince words when describing the case. “This is a very sick individual,” Johnson said, according to the outlet's report, which also noted that he called the crime disturbing.
No Microchip, No Clear Owner
Foristell police contacted the Wentzville Police Department, which sent an officer to check the animal for a microchip, per the same report — but the dog did not have one, leaving investigators without an easy way to identify its owner.
The lack of identifying information adds another layer of difficulty to a case that already has few obvious leads. There were no recent missing-dog reports matching its description.
Rope Sent for Forensic Testing
That evidence includes the rope used to hang the dog, which Foristell police have sent to the St. Charles County crime lab to see whether evidence could be found, the station reported. Investigators are awaiting the results of the examination.
Foristell's police department, which the City of Foristell notes handles both patrol and investigations, is continuing to work the case. Chief Johnson has led the department for 18 years and has served the city for more than two decades, according to the city's own description of his tenure.
No further details about a suspect, a motive, or the outcome of the crime lab's examination have been released. Anyone with information is presumably being asked to reach out to Foristell police as the investigation continues.
