Oil City Police have opened an investigation into an alleged animal‑cruelty incident reported on Sunday, Jan. 25.
Officers began looking into the case after a video surfaced showing a man, later identified as Joseph K. Metz (33) of Oil City, physically abusing a dog.
The video of the abuse prompted officers to visit a residence in the 200 block of Butternut Alley within Oil City to speak with Metz.
Upon being taken into custody, Metz resisted arrest and was then taken into custody before being transferred to the Oil City Police Department.
On Jan. 26, Metz was arraigned by Judge Fish on charges of, Cruelty to Animals and Resisting Arrest. Metz was denied bail and was committed to Venango County Jail.
Metz’s preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 4 at 1 p.m. at the Venango County Courthouse.
The owner of the dog had been visited by officers on Jan. 26 where the dog had been relinquished to law enforcement. Officers took the dog to Precious Paws Animal Clinic in Seneca where she is now receiving medical treatment.
Updates on her recovery can be found on the Precious Paws Animal Clinic Facebook page.
The Precious Paws Animal Clinic would like to thank Chad Dunkle for sending them the video and the Chief of Police in Oil City, Corey Ruditis for his quick call to action and for delivering the dog to the clinic.